The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-10-12
THE BATH CONSTABLE.
A statement by Mayor Wakefield
=, ~, rz;to, oftbe Bath Times.

To the Editor Of the Bath Times.
1t is not my purpose to dignity the recent
articles that have appeared in the Bridgton
News and the Bath Independent, toucning
the State Constable question, by any eNtenu-
ed reply. The outrageous abuse OF the GOV
ernor and Council, the reflection upon the
character and manhood of the members OF
our own City Council, breathes spirit so
unfair and malignant, that am not surprised
when it finds vent in laundering tissue Of
gross misstatements, supplemented with
glaring falsehoods. would regard it waste
of time to argue the matter with gentlemen
who can deliver themselves of such articles.
To so much of these communications as re-
fleet upon my course in the matter, beg
brief indulgence, and will then leave the
matter with the hope that those OF my tenn
perance friends, who are honest and sincere,
will seek to carry out their views in an hon
orable and manly manner.
Our City Council, by vote, declared that
the appointment of a State Constable $50 far
as Bath is concerned) was unnecessary.
was directed to oppose the petition asking
for such an appointment. carried out the
wishes of the City Council to the best OF my
ability. and in my remarks before the Cover
nor and Council, declared over and over
again that there was no necessity 1or the ap-
pointment of such an officer Tor this county
| did state, however, that if his exceliency
and the gentlemen Of the Council thought
ffonsthe evidence such an appointment was
ary.-rs should accept 1t az an nonest
difference of 0bmiou, but felt com 'elleq from
n sense of duty to ife-citizens OF Batn 70
demand of them the appointment Oh honeSt
men. .;.4 4,.,art
of LANES Bailey. do not suppose 0ne-nalI
of the petitioners knew or realized the exact
purpOrt of the document they were asxeu 10
sign, for many of them are owners OF DulIu-
the reputation of being liquor dealers, many
of whom have been convicted IN our courts
for violating the prohibitory law, and among
the petitioners are those VINO nave Deen
bondsmen for liquor dealers upon convlcuon
i'm our Municipal court since they signed th6
petition for appointment of constable. L
know then know now, that Mr.. Barley Is
NOT a proper person to discharge the duties
of SO Important trust, The Office is pecu-
liar one and its proper ana dgEan az inteS
rity and honesty. When the petltionerS
| asked for the appointment OF Mr. Bailey, 1
| placed before the Governor and Council the
| record from the books of our city, showing
/ the report OF Il cOulUliIbCC VI
signed by all the eommitte, including friends
al Mr. Bailey That report convinced the
| Governor and Council that In Bailey tney
| had an applicant that could not be trusted TO
honestly enforce the law. .,-,. .h.+
report cannot be explained away, and IL
stands to-day. The record has neuer oeen e1-
| p1tnqed. Who is the man OF spirit ana non
or that if innocent, would permit SO damag-
ing charge to stand against him ON the pup
| iic re Ords for more than five long years, and
never demand a hearing that ne mlght, II
nossible prove his innocence? Wnlle the
| friends Of Mr.. Bailey are indulging In lndis-
| criminate abuse, will they kindly answer tnlS
I have not attacked this man Bailey in the
| dark. / know and declare that he confessed
| in the presence of myself ana three oIner
| gentlemen that he received bribes while City
| Marshal from party known TO be engaged
| in the sale of Intoxicating drinks. have
| told Mr.. Bailey so. Myself and three otneI
| citizens swore to it before committee OF the
| CITY Council, / have sworn to IL DeIore the
| Governor and Council. l have IN conyer-
sation declared it to be true time and time
| again. And | now declare my aDlhty 70
prove him guilty before any court OF justiece
Mr. Bailey knows that / have told the
truth. l am responsible for an l say anu
| all do. If my declarations and oathApon
| this matter are false, he has full and ample
| remedy against me in any court OF justice,
and if his friends will persist IN declaring
| that all have said upon this matter is Ialse,
| If they believe and would have our people
| believe that Mr.. Bailey is the clean handed
| man they and he claim, then In the name OF
| decercy' honor and fair dealing, let him as
| sert his rights and establish his innocence IKE
| a man. ,1.e.1A
citizen whose Judgment is not warped Dy
prejudice or clouded by passion may under
stand why l have honestly and earnestly op-
posed the appointment Of this man to posi-
tion that never should be nlied Dy one upVlL pl
whose character for honesty and integrity
rests so dark and ineffaceable stain.
| A word to the pettiOnerS-Are you 1oneSl
and sincere in your demands for better en-
forcement of the law? l grant that you are
| Now gentlemen why do you aiiow the Brldg-
ton News and others to maliciously misrepre'
sent Governor Robie? Has he not notified
YOU that when you would present to him the
names of two citizens OF THIS county, known
to be men of honor and integrity, that NJ
would appoint them as cohstables? so un
derstand il, and the Governor and C0uncl
know that there will be no opposition OF
fered Have you complied with the request
of the Governor?
discussion on this subject. To the great ma
iority of Mr.. Bailey's supporters am willing
TO cOncede what they deny to me, honesty o.
purpose. They are simply deceived IN I'M
character of this man. | am ready AZ al
| tunes TO cooperate Ottn utoHt III bAiV OAAV.
| ment. not only of the liquor law, but OF al
laws tending to improve and elevate our so
cal and moral standing as. community
and indulge the hope finally, that II an,
| gentleman wishes to ventilate his views 1ar
| fher upon this subject he will have the man
hood to sign his name to his efforts, and moi
conceal his identity under an assumed name
or false initials
THE STATE.