Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-15
7NallomeIl local Nems.

| Edward +. Roswell, who is still serving out his
nine years sentence in our State prison at Thorn
aston, under conviction for the murder of John
b. Lallin of this city, seems to be anxious either
to be pardoned or to have his sentence committed
to service in the county Jail at Augusta for the
rest of his term of about nineteen months. If his
sentence can be committed, he seems perfectly
willing to save all expense for his transfer from
Thomaston to Augusta, as the following extract
from recent letter to lawyer in this city will
show lie says
81 know if they should commute my sentence
that tholaw would require them to send the sheriff
after me; but will come and give myself up if
they will trust me.
lie is Of the opinion that his services have been
extremely valuable to the State as the following
paragraph from the letter indicates:
'lf was free man to-day no man could hire
me to do the work that have had to do ever since
came here for less than fifteen hundred dollars
per year. and don't believe there is a man in the
country that would be shut up in yarnish room
every day for any less"
1t appears by his letter that he has not only
written to the governor, judges and prominent
lawyers, but also to a distinguished republican
politician in this vicinity, urging action in his be-
half lie saws he asked the aid of the political
gentleman "because was republican and a
member Of the Union League" That seems TO
score one republican in the STATE prison; or, at
any rate, taking his word for it, he was of that
political faith previous to the commission of the
chine for which he is now serving out his SEN
tencc. 1t may be an open question as to his pres
cnt po!it cal status. lie can hardly expect, how
ever, that his political pre- fcreIces will be regard
ed valid claim for pardon commutation in
this State by any political party. In New York
they do things differently; and it would seem
from the fact that so preposterous an idea was
suggested by him, that he must have been edu-
Gated in the Tweed school of politics. notwith-
standing his professions Of political honesty ard
patriotic loyalty. We doubt if his lawyer here
or elsewhere will consider his case demanding or
deserving executive clemency. He has reason
for thsnklulness that his condition is mo worse
than il is, and that he has been enabled to serve
the State even in "a varnish room rather than
try the strength of hemp under less favorable
circumstances.
The modern system of popular lectures seems to
us extremely extravagant and peculiarly burden
some to people who desire to enjoy the benefits Of
rational and instructive entertainment. But few
able to pay the prices demanded by these "bu-
reau favortcs," who expect from one to five hun
drcd dollars for each repetition, for the hundredth
time perhaps, Of lecture fam liar to the reading
public who take note of newspaper reports and
criticisms. Even Beecher or Tilton, a Dick
inson or a Livermore, or any other or woman
cannot be regarded a. worthy to receive such al
most fabulous sums are demanded for the SER
vice of single hour; and but few communities
will longer tolerate such extortion is often prac-
tied by these literary bureaus upon long suffer-
ing and frequently humbugged people. A NOR
bid curiosity may occasionally secure for one Of
these celebrities respectable house; but the time
is not far distant when these exhoIbitant demands
will be utterly and justly repudiated by the public
generally.
\ goodly number of dwelling houses in this city
are now receiving finishing touches preparatory to
occupation. building and repairing furnish
large number Of workmen constant and remuner-
tive employment
a skating rink will soon be 10 order and the
boys and girl, preparing for the PORTS of the
season.