The Portland daily press., 1880-06-23
The Liquor Law in Kennebec.

The Governor and Council gave hearing
Monday in regard to confirming the nomina-
ton OF Charles 81. Berry, of Pittston, as State
Constable under section 4, chapter 217 of the
acts OF 1880, which reads as follows:
upon petition and representation of thirty or
more well known taxpayers in any county that the
provisions OF chapters seventeen and twenty-seyen
Oh tne revised Statutes and acts additional thereto
and amendatory thereof are not faithfully enforced
Dy county or local officers, it shall be the duty of
the Governor and Council to inquire into such rep
reservation, and If in their Judgment such repre-
sensations are we'll founded, the Governor by and
with the consent of the Council shall appoint two
OF more constables for such county, whose duty it
small De TO diligently enforce the provisions of said
chapters and acts and for this purpose such const
bles shall have like powers and duties as sherffs
ana deputies; For such services said constables
snail receive the same compensation as is provided
by law for sheriffs and deputies"
Quite number of gentlemen appeared on
both sides. "Reminiscences were presented,
signed by the Mayor and City Government Of
snd against aagd Mr. Berrys appointment
business men of that city. Complaints having
been made against Sanford W. Siphers, Depu-
ty Sheriff, for non-enforcement Of the liquor
law, ne testified that no warrants had been
placed In his hands that he had refused to
execute; he had served warrant after warrant;
had some thirteen cases now pending: was
accommodating evidence all the time against
rumseIlers. 1t is almost impossible to make a
seizure now, rumSelling is reduced to such
system Parties engaged in the traffic employ
boys to act as spies upon the dongs of officers
and on the first intimation of a search down
goes the dump. Although hundreds of men of
a rough class and of foreign birth are EMPLOYED
at the ice houses, he never knew Gardiner to
be more peaceful and fewer arrests necessary
IN order to preserve the peace.
Question by Mr.. Nye-Do you know how
many retail liquor dealers there are in Gardi-
ner licensed by the United States?
81 do not"
Don't you think it would be we'll to applv
to the revenue office for information?"
Il did so once, when was City Marshal, but
tho agent said he had no authority to exhibit
his books.'
City Marshal White then testified much to
the same effect as Mr. Siphers Have always
responded to requests of Mr.. Nye and other
temperance men. Always search when hear
OF any violation of the law. Judge True said
that there were more searches, seizures and
convection last year than in any previous year.
Judge True-Am acquainted with Mr.. Siph-
ers; always found him ready to do his DUTY. 1
think that the laws are faithfully and impair
TALLY enforced; am not aware of any remiss-
ness or failure on the part of any local or coun-
ty officer; feel that there has been proper Wig
lance exercised on their part Don't see that
the appointment of one or two additional con-
stables would add to the efficiency of the law.
A lew years ago special officer was appointed
but the effect was bad
NO decision was reached by the Council.