The Portland daily press., 1874-02-28
The Knox County Sheriff Affair.

10 the Editor of the Press:
A correct account of the Knox County Sheriff
investigation has not been given in the papers
Hon. Isaac Hobbs of Hope, was elected Sher-
iff OF Kuox County in 1872 and entered on his
duties in January 1873. and is the only Repub-
lican officer in that county.
Being at Rockland on official duty, he had
not received notice of the prosecution institut-
ed against him, which notice had been sent by
Gov. Dingley to Hope. but observing in the
newsnapers that his conduct was tc be inquired
into by the Governor on Wednesday, he re-
onested d. N. Mortland Esq, member of the
last House from Rockland, TO appear for him
before the Governor
Mr.. Mortland arrived at Augusta Tuesday
evening and associatiug Judge Goddard, who
was Senator with Mr.. Hobbs iu 1858, attended
the examination which took place in the Exec
utive chamber at 2 P. NJ. "Wednesday.
So novel proceeding attracted much atten-
ton and several members of the Legislature
and other- prominent gentlemen of different
"persuasons," among others Hon. Joshua
Nye, of Augusta, desired to be present,
but were excluded as were the executive
councillors. His Excellency ruling that the
lQV6StlSdJlUu was ScCICt-CohhuCu CASiuSNCiy
to parties, witnesses and counsel.
In the mean time Sheriff Hobbs having re-
ceived the official notice from the Governor,
had teegraphed to Mr. Mortland and to the
Governor that he would start for Augusta on
Wednesday, arriving at Al P. NJ, and the Gov
ernor mad telegraphed to the Sheriff that he
could be heard in person after his arrival,
although, by consent of his attorneys the in
vestigatiOn would commence at the appointed
hour.
Hon. Joseph Farwell, Ex-Mayor of Rock
land, and G. o. Payson, Esq, Common Coun-
Gilman of that city, appeared as witnesses
against the Sheriff, and Mr.. Farwell conducted
the prosecution, which was based ON resolu-
ton of impeachment by the Knox County
Lodge of l. o. of Good Tenfpars communi-
Gated in complaint signed by Mr. Payson
which refers to certain instructions previously
given him by the Governor; all, it appeared,
under chap. SO Of the public laws of 1872, a
statute drawn, as it is said, by Gov. Dingley
himself when member of the House from
Lewiston. His Excellency further ruled that
the testimony did not require an oath and each
of the witnesses was subjected to cross exam
ination by the counsel for Sheriff Hobbs.
Affidavits of Marshal Brackley, of Rockland
and Judge Hall of the Rockland Municipal
Court were offered, but objected to by the Sher
IFS counsel, because no opportunity had been
afforded for cross-examinaIion, aud the Mar
shall was proved to have left Augusta that
very morning. The Sherff's counsel
declined to offer any testimony in de-
fence or to argue the case, content
ing themselves with filing brief written
denial of wilful negligence or refusal to exc
cute his official duty, signed by them. Mr..
Farwe,l thereupon offered to withdraw from
the prosecution if the Sheriff would personally
promise in the Executive presence that he
would in future execute the liquor Jaws and do
bis duty. The Sherlff's Attorneys then inform
ed the Governor that their defence was closed,
and that they would, in the Sheriff's behalf,
excuse His Excellency from any delay, but Gov
Sheriff. thought pproper to adjourn the invesli-
cation till P. M. to enable the Sheriff to APP
pear. His Excellency was pleased to ask Mr..
Mortand it he was pre- pared to assure the Gov
ernor that the Sheriff would at the approaching
March Term of the Supreme Court attend to
his duty, and Mr.. M. replied that he was not
authorized to give any assurances for the Sher-
it'll, although he had no reason to doubt hat the
Sheriff would do his duty, because he had never
known him to do otherwise
I'll substance of the evideL ce of MeSsrs
Farwell and Payson was that some twelve no.
torious rum shops have been in full operation in
Rockland for many years, including three tav-
ems, many Of them antedating ex-Maycr Far
well own aunnlQlStrdttOn, whose attempts TO
suppress them had failed mainly through a con-
struction given the liquor law by Judge Far
well then of the Municipal Court, the Mayors
brother. That petition of nine citizens, head
ed by the ex-Mayor, warning the twelve deliE-
quents and desiring their prosecution, was
handed the Sheriff Feb. II, that he demanded
warrants thereon from Judge Hall Feb ID and
was notified that they We're ready that P. NJ,
but did not call for them until last Friday
February 20, and that up to Monday A NJ.
February 3d. no searches or arrests had been
made 1t is understood that Sheriff Hobbs ar
rived at Augusta at about A p. M. Wednesday
but did not think the evidence exhibited
against him warranted him in occupying any
of the executive time. Consequently he re-
turned down the river by the half past train
that evening, Mr.. Hobbs was Senator from
Waldo IN 1857 and 1858 andis gentleman of
education and independent wealth, teetotaler,
a bachelor, and apparently somewhat indiffer-
ent as to the result
Although man of exceedingly few words,
he seems, like Eugene Aram equal to either
fortune" and it remains to be seen whether
His Excellency will squelch ''the impea oh .enr
resolution of the Knox County Lodge of l. ..
of Good Templars" or present the Sheriff to the
Legislature for impeachment or address,.
The only remark which the Sheriff is known
to have made during the hour he tarried at the
State Capital is, (alluding to Ex-Mayor Far
wells suggestion) that he ''had never got down
on his marrow-bones even to a woman, and he
would be blamed if he would begin to do it to
10 Farwell.'' KNOX,