Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-03-13
I. A. SAWYER FlSFIFIES !!
70 Took Awsy ths ststs Seal
Tor ssfs Keeping.
The House Discharges Him From
Custody!

o'ios'on and MIR. Halves conducted the ex.
animation.
hswes,-Nr. Sawyer, are Won ready IN a.,
your 90
oa"yer'-I will answer all proper cues.
''ons - indicated in my letter of last evening
winch you probably have on record.
Hawes,-Your letter will not 20 on record
GU are simply to answer the question, .Are
you ready to testify, or are you nosr'
oawyer,-I want to consider that mo.
ment.
He then withdrew with his counsel. and
Immediately returned.
oa"yer,-l am now ready to testify. and
answer all proper questions that NAV he
asked. do this to disabuse the public mind
OF any idea that possess information which
am not willing to give. wish to relieve
myself from all suspicious that have been
cast upon my character; and, furthermore.
l am under imprisonment, and wish to be re-
lieved.
Sawyer then affirmed, declining to be
sworn, and proceeded to answer questions put
to him by Messrs. Bradstreet and Hawes.,
He then said that he held the Office of Dep
uty Secretary Of State under Garcelon. His
term as deputy expired on the 18th of Janu-
airy, 1880. Was elected, by what he consid-
cred to be the legislature Of the State, Sec'y
of State, on 18th of January. Took and SUBJ
scribed oaths Of Office filed bonds which were
approved by Smiths council. Claimed that
he is still Secretary Of State. As deputy he
did not have exclusive charge of records,
State seal, &C. Returns of September cleo
tons came into the Office, and were taken BY
the mail carrier to the engrossing room below
the Secretary Of States Office. These returns
were under control Of the Secretary of State.
He was in charge of the office at times.
On the night the republicans broke
into the Office, he took away, for
safety, State seal, &C. To his knowledge no
Office subsequent to Dec sth. Gave list of
documents he took away when fusion legisla-
ture adjourned to Union Hall. When he be-
came Secretary ofState he didn't think that any
records or other property was missing from
the Secretary's Office. During Saturday, af-
ter he became Secretary, he moved the seal
and State property to an Office which he had
established on Water street, to keep them in
possession Of persons having authority. Mr..
Sawyer kept the seal in his possession; the
returns were not all taken from the State
House; some returns were in the hands of
Col Chas. Il. Morton and Senator Patten.
Some returns were in the safe of Capt. r. w.
Black Same others might have had some
part of the property. DIR. Martin had some
in his possession, though he thought DIR. Mar
tin didn't know what was in the packages.
He might have consulted rs to what would
be said on the premises as to the disposition
of the property. Cove had advised him to
take the property. The republicans had
threatened to break into the State House and
take the property. He thought the most val
liable thing in the Office was the State seal.
He did what he conceived to be the duty Of
the State officer in charge Of the treasures of
his Office. Chamberlain did not assume to
have charge of the records in the Secretary
of States office. His opinion was that A. r.
Gould advised that good care be taken Of the
seal; that he (Sawyer) was the proper custo-
dian of the seal. After he established his Of
fee on Water street, he advertised himself -
Secretary Of State, and would have used the
seal had he had occasion to do so.
To his recollection no returns were sent
away from the Secretary Of States ONCE At
ter September election. He had returned to
this building everything he took from it.
The body calling itself q Legislature passed
a law imposing heavy penalties upon so cai'eo
offenders, and fearing that he should be re-
,.raed M sucb. As warrant was out, he
gave up the property.
He had a consultation with Mr.. Davis who
asked him to give up the Secretary's ONCE
and he declined. Had taken the seal IN
r;oces and carried one Of the dies IN Ms
pocket for some time, SO that il 1t fell INTO
hands to which it did belong they could not
use it.
The committee reported the result OF their
session to the House; that body voteo u
discharge Sawyer from arrest, and the gen.
t,eman from Phillips was set at liberty
About 7 o'clock last evening, Mr.. cnaf'e'
M.r.,on was standing in front Of his express
Office on Water street, when he saw . man
suddenly snatch pair of shoes rom : ''"s
.lony the window Of J. W. Cross store anu
start at rapid pace up the street. Inc iel'
,o~ ran mn Water street to Bridge. with Mr.
M.-.,on after him. He darted up Bridge
.,ree, and took the railrosd track. Mr.. MATS
tom was still after him. They say . stern
chase is . long one. To facilitate hi. e'cape
the man threw the shoes away. he 'e'' 'ns
,r.ck near the bridge and took the s'se'
again, hoping to throw hi. par'nss o on .ns
,r.;l But his pursuer didn't fall oen'"'
-or,h !. cent. Above the Farmers. ho'e''
Tho ,h;ef dar.ed into . house. Mr.. Maf''o'
followed and knocked at the door. -
n man s ;sbber;ng in French and broken sns
IA ~ Marstou vas admitted sno w.. .d
iisn, NJ .S.- hed. He crawled Out INC