The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-08-14
A JaiIbird in Journalism.

The New Era Mr.. Il. M. Sennett local eGi-
tori of Monday evening, published the follow
ing, flor which cheeky is mild term:
The item published in Saturdays Era will
be thoroughly investigated, and if incorrect
will be corrected. The whole matter will be
fully treated to morrow.
The item referred to was published last Sat-
urday, and was known by all to be malicious
lie. That paper published it and after waiting
until Monday asked for another day of grace to
investigate, instead of coming out manfully
and correcting the SANDER asks for more time
for the local of that paper to investigate.
Last evening it promised to treat the matter
fully, but instead of doing SO not one word APP
pears in that paper relative to the matter, thus
local editor has admitted that he wrote the lie,
but he has not found time to refute it.
Perhaps few bare facts in regard to this
young rogue may be of interest. In the records
of the police station for the year 1875 we find
the following data:
Frank M. Sennett, laborer, arrested by Off
Ger GribbeD, February 10th, for swindling.
February 18th, taken before the Municipal
Court and bound over to the May term of the
Superior Court in the sum of $1,000 Com nit
ed.
Now, on going to the Portland Jail, we find
that this "a,tache of daily paper" was COM
mitted there February 11th, 1875, by Deputy
Williams, on charge of cheating by false
pretences The grand jury. at the May term
OF the Superior Court, found four Indictments
against this youth for cheating by false pre-
fences. After futile attempts to settle the
matter he was arraigued before Judge Symonds
and the records of the court tell the rest of the
story in these terms:
State vs.. Frank M. Sennett.- Cheating on
false pretences. Arraigned 18th day and plea d
guilty. On the 41st day of the term bail fixed
at $4,000 by the Cont. Bail not furnished and
continued for sentence. 421 day, sentenced to
IL months Imprisonment and labor in the
county Jail. Warrant OF commitment issued.
At the Jail we find documents to show that
he was committed to Jail on this sentence June
Both, 1875. Having served out his sentence he
was released May %, 1876.
From this it must not be inferred that he is
now free man, for this sentence is only on one
Indictment. There are three more on the Supe-
rior Court special docket still holding over this
nice young journalist.
1t is not many years since the police were
called in to get the possession of valuable
parrot he had borrowed" The police found
that he had sold the bird and it was with no
little difficulty that they secured the parrot for
the gentleman from whom Sennett has "bor-
rowed" it.
There is also an account with milk dealer
which is said to be crooked. but it is useless to
continue the list further. The counsellor who
honestly defended him when he was indicted,
and by whose influence three of his cases were
put on the special docket, says that be is now
fully satisfied that the young man richly de-
serves the showing up he is receiving.
Mr.. Baker. for whom he worked, said yester-
day that he stole some $50 from him and but
for his partner he would have prosecuted him
for embezzlement. After Sennett had served
out his sentence friend tried to get Mr.. Baker
to take him back, but Mn Baker had no idea
of running any more risk than he had al
ready.
In this connection it may be interesting to
know that about the time the New Era was
started we'll known Greenbacker in this city
applied for position on the editorial staff, but
was told that his character was bad and 1t
would injure the paper to have such man
connected with it. What character is required
for the local man of that paper? Perhaps after
Sennett serves out his sentence on the other
three indictments holding over him he will be
still better fitted for the position he now fills.