Daily Kennebec journal., 1885-10-12
rFRoM The BATH TINES.
State Constable for SagadahOC
County.

| To The Bath Times 1T is not my pur-
purpose to dignity the recent articles tnat
! have appeared in the Brigton News and Bath
| Independents touching the State constable
question, by any extended reply. The out
rageous abuse Of the Governor and Council,
! the reflection upon the character and man
| hood Of the members of cur own City Coun-
| Gil, oreathes a spirit So unfair and malignant,
that am not surprised when it finds vent IN
blundering tissue of ml.statements, sup
plemented with glaring falsehoods. l would
regard it waste OF time to argue the matter
with gentlemen VINO can deliver themselves
| of such articles.
To so much Of these communications as
reflects upon nv course in the matter, beg
| brief indulgence and will then leave the mat
ter with the hope that those Of my temper
ance friends, who are honest and sincere,
will seek to carry out their views IN an nom
| orable and manly manner.
Our City Council by a vote, declared that
the appointment of a State constable so far
as Bath 10 c0ncerned) was unnecessary. l
was directed 10 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 Govs
ernor and Council, declared over and over
again, that there was no necessity tor the ap-
p0intment of such officer for this county.
I DID state. however, that il his Excellency
and the gentlemen Of the Council thought
from the evidence such appointment was
necessary, | should accept 1t as an honest
difference of opinion, but felt compelled
from a sense Of duty to the citizens of Bath
to demand OF them the appointment OF honest
men
The petitioners asked for the appointment
of James Bailey. | do not suppose one-halt
OF the petitioners knew or realized the exact
purport Of the document they were asked to
sign, for many OF them are owners OF build
ing-, which are rented to parties who have
been convicted IN our courts tor violating the
prohibitory law, and among the petitioners
are those who have been bondsmen tor liquor
dealers upon conviction in our Municipal
Court since they signed the petition for ap-
pointment of constable. | knew then,
know now, that Mr.. Bailey is not proper
person to discharge the duties of so impor-
tant trust. The office is a peculiar one and
its proper and efficient administration de-
mands the highest degree of integrity and
honesty. When the petitioners asked for the
appointment of Mr.. Bailey, | placed before
the Governor and Council the record from
the books of our city, showing the report OF
committee of investigation, signed by all
Bailey. That report convinced the Governor
and Council that in Bailey they had an ap-
plcant that could not be trusted to honestly
enforce the law.
Gentleman may argue and the0riZe, but
that report cannot be explained away, and it
stands to-day. The record has never been
expunged Who Is the man of spirit and
honor, that, if innocent, would permit so
damaging charge to stand against him on
the public records for more than five long
wears, and never demand hearing that he
might. If possible, prove ms innocence!
| While the friends OF Mr.. Bailey are indug-
ing IN indiscrminate abuse, will they kindly
answer this question?
have not attacked this man Bailey in the
dark. | know and declare that he confessed
| in the presence OF myself and three other gem
| tlemau that he received bribrs while city
| marshal, from party known to be engaged
/ in tue sale of lntoxic ltlng drinks. | have
told MIR. Bthey So. Myself and three other
citizens swore to it before a committee OF the
city council. | nave sworn to it before he
/ Governor and Council. | have IN conversa-
ton declared il to be true time and time again.
| And now declare my ability to provs him
guilty before any Court Of Justice in Maine.
Mr. Bailey knows that | have told the
truth. | am responsible for all | say and all
| | do. Ii my declarations and oath upon
! this matter are false, he has iull and
ample remedy against me in any Court OF
Justice, and If his friends will persist in de-
! clarIng that all have side upon tins matter
Is false, II 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 decency, honor and fair dealing, lei
h i'm assert his rights and establish his Juno
cence like man.
| have been thus plain and brief that every
| citizen whose judgment is not warped by
r,judce or clouded by passion may under
| stand why | have honestly and earnestly op-
posed the appointment of this man to posi-
tion that never should be filed by one upon
whose character for honesty and integrity
rests so dark and iuetfsceable stain.
word for The petitioners-Are YOU hon
est and sincere in your demands for better
enforcement of the law | grant that you
are. Now gentlemen why do you allow the
| Brldgton News and others to maliciously mis-
represent Governor Robie Has he not noti-
fed you that when you would present to hin,
the names of two citizens of this county.
| known to be men of honor and integrity, that
| he would appoint them as ConstaDles | so
understand it, and the Governor and Council
know that there will be no opposition offered
Have you complied with the request of the
| Governor
| shall enter into no further controversy
or discussion on this subject To the great
majority of MIR. Bsiley's supporters | am
willing TO concede what they deny to me,
honesty of purpose. They are simply de
ceved in the character of this man. | am
ready at ali times to cooperate with them in
the enforcement, not of the liquor law. but
of all laws tending to improve and elevate
our social and moral standing as commu-
nity, and indulge the hope hnally,that if any
gentleman wishes to ventllate his views far
tner upon this subject he will have the man
| hood TO sign his. name to his efforts, and not
conceal his identity under an assumed name
or false initials.
JAS. w. WAKEFIELD.
4 Calf Ca Sc Ended.