The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-07
MAINE.
s.. Albans, Defaul,iug selee,man.

ST. Albans' Defaultiug seIectman.
SHowHEeAN, Feb. 5-John M MISkinner of st,
Albans, who is reported defauter, has for a
number of years past been Chairman of the
Board of Selectmen. For two years rumors
have been in circulation that the town was
| more deeply in debt that the reports at the
| annual meetings have shown. Some of the
other members of the board have not been sat-
istied with the reports, and the talk finally cul-
minated in special town meeting, at which a
committee was chosen to investigate the
matter. Other meetings were held and
other committees raised, until it was ascer-
tanned thatthere were town orders out for
some $4,000 more than was supposed. The
method of doing business was such that Skin
ner would get the other selectmen to sign a
town order, ostensibly, perhaps, to take up an
outstanding order, but instead of doing SO he,
as alleged, would hire the money on the new
order and leave the old order outstanding AS
he was chairman and kept the books and ac.
counts he was enabled to do this without
detection. 1t is hardly expected that
the town can be holden for these orders.
when it never authorized the hiring of the
money nor received any benefit from it. Skim
ner remained about home for some time after
the facts became known, but fually left sud
denly. He had always borne good reputa-
tion, and il was not known that he had apy
expensive habits. Nor is it now believed that
the money he thus obtained was appropriated
to his own use, but the general sentiment
seems to be that he has been made a tool OF bv
some one.
LEWISTON, Feb. 6.-John M Skinner the
dafaulting selectman of St. Albans, came into
Office in 1876. The town was then in good
financial condition. The report last year show
ing $500 in outstanding orders was suspected,
and another meeting held in June when list
of $4,000 and over was shown. The committee
of investigation found that Skinner had hired
$4,000 and appropriated it to his private use.
This was done by changing town orders signed
in blank and by deceiving the other selectmen.
Since he left he has returned 1884 in coupons
and interest on State bonds. His resignation
will not be accepted till a settlement with the
town is effected The town has voted that the
remaining selectmen make report of the situ-
alton at the annual meeting.
State Temperance Society.
AUGUSTA, Feb. 6-The annual meeting of
"ho SuaeO LCuipOEdACo 0OCl6Ly COM n6QCeQ IN
this city to-day. The attendance was fair and
many prominent temperance men OF the State
were in attendance. President Neal Dow, oc.
cupied the chair.
Camp Meeting John Allen, Rev. Mr.. Mum
son, Geo. e. Brockell aud Judge Tolman, ad-
dressed tide meeting at the forenoon session.
In the afternoon, W. T. Eustis, spoke in fa-
vor of a prohibitory party.
Rev. Mr.. Mcintyre believed in arousing pub
lie sentiment ON the temperance question.
-ssu Raw xx~ T-s~a ps-Ss+s. <saods5taa,
Dunn and others delivered addresses. There
was much talk on the forthcoming prohibItory
campaign and it was the general opinion that
the prohibitory amendment would be car
red.
A committee was raised to issue an appeal to
the clergy of the State in relation to the work
to he done for the amendment Several speak
ers believed that liquor selling was on the in
crease in the State.
In the evening there was more speech-mak-
ing.
Found Bead in the Ice.
BANGOR, Feb 6.-The body of Frank Du-
cette of Brooksyille was found frozen in the
ice at Brewer village this morning. He was
drowned Oct. 18TH, by the upsetting OF boat.
Wages i'm the Biddeford Mills.
BIDDEFoRD, Feb. 6.-The wages of opera
tives in the Pepperell and Laconia companies
will in some respects be reduced next Monday.
1t is claimed by the companies that a portion
of the operatives are receiving more than
others proportionately, and reduction will be
applied for the purpose of averaging the pay of
the operatives, and will range from three to
eight per cent upon the wages of those affected
The overseers are not affected.
Maine Postmasters.
WARRINGTON, Feb. 6.-The Senate, in exec
utive session today, confirmed the nomination
of Clark III. Barker for postmaster at Portland,
Me-, and of Geo. T. Benson for postmaster at
Oakland, Ne.
ANDovER.