The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-10-20
The Bath Constable.

To the Editor Of the Press:
"None are so blind as he who will not see."
What application shall make Of this time-worn
proverb? You assert as follows; Accordingly
we published elsewhere a letter from Mr.. John
Hayden of Bath in reply to Mr.. Wakefield"
II Mr. Wakefeld's letter had appeared in your
paper without your comments, most assuredly
should never have thought of taking any notice OF
it whatever 1t was only because it was backed
up and sustained by you that considered it at all
important to endeavor to remove the erroneous
impression likely to be produced. Here that lden-
tencal letter had appeared in both our papers be-
fore you published it.
Did think of replying to it7 Far from I'LL
Here where he is well known, and his Jesuitieal
style is fully appreciated he need fear no reply at
least from me, but when he was backed up by
very respectable party whose words would be
taken by the community, then considered an e1-
PLANTATION called for.
You saw 0Mr. Wakefield in his letter made di-
rect charge of bribery against Mr.. Bailey" What
does Mr.. Wakefield say? He says, II know and
declare that he confessed in the presence OF my,
self and three other gentlemen that he received
bribes while city marshal from party known 70
be IN tae sac csarae 81 BaeT With brbe
and declare he can prove the TACT OF DrlDeryY
Not at all! He makes no charge on which an ac-
ton could be brought but merely charges that
"that he confessedll" Mr.. Wakenelds next
words are, Il uOlu MI. Bailey WHdk uuuCh =
meaning IS enfolded in that Sentence? Told him
So" Told him what? That he confessed? Did
he not know % Il ne naa uf fbat Mt Bssy
ought to feel under particular obligations 70 Mr.
Wakefield for informing him on that point OF
what he was previously ignorant.
You say ''the vital question is, did or did not
Mr. Bailey accept bribe? Mr.: Wakefield says
that he did and offers to prove it. Mr.. Bailey II
he Is innocent ought to go into court Immediately
and call for proof" You cannot fall OF pereelylng
as l have clearly shown, that Mr Wakeneld
fession and that he told Mr.. Bailey that he (Bal-
ley) had confessed. Could Bailey bring an action
on that? Suppose that he could, what would pc
fhe result It would appear that Mr. Wakefield
was seated in his Star-chamber with MS right and
left hand supporters ready TO swear aI any cal ean
lev was summoned-for what?-to decline being a
candidate for city marshalii Had he been aware
him some individual Of known respectabity in or
der to have true and correct report OF what was
really said. A case with some features resembling
this was once thrust upon me. L was requested
to attend meeting OF q church committee, VINO
had case of discipline on the tapis, and there pc
examined by said committee. Well, knowing the
composition of that committee / agreed to attend
and tell all the facts in the case ON condition that
should take with me some otnsr person tof "a
INJURED to- but finally on the claim OF the accused
that my testimony was essential in the case tney
consented. accordingly took with me gentle,
man Of the highest standing, whose WORD would
be disputed by no one. and the case was thus put
through leaving no chance for cayilng. Had Mr.;
Bailey taken that course probably this case would
appear very differentIto you, at least.
Should Mr.. Wakefield make a direct charge OF
bribery, what could Mr.. Bailey do? His means
are too limited to carry on an expensive and pro-
onged law suit and should it finally come to ju-
ry Mr.. Wakefield has all the advantage OF
doubt in the mind of single juror: Eleven jury
men might be for Bailey, but the adverse action OF
the twelfth man would be fatal to his recovery;
and do we not all know how easily this thing Is
done? What became then of your remark, ''Mr.
Bailey, if innocent, ought to go into court imme-
diately.'
well known in this community, and while they ad-
nit that for ability and efficiency he would resem.
BILE Marshal Tukey of Boston, the great mass OF
the best elements of society believe the best IN
strument available in this county for the sup
preston of drinking and other yices-being the
one most opposed by those who pancer to them Is
James Bailey. JOHN HAYDEN.