The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-06-24
DEERINc SIDEWALKS.
The .Constables say the lWhe eImen
will mako Mistake II they use
than.

Mr.. L. M. Clark, the Deering chief-con-
stable, under whose authority the two Saco
boys were arrested for riding on the side
walks in Deering on Sunday, June 9TH, OBJ
lects to the impressions that have gotten
abroad in regard to the affair. The COM
plants against bcyclists taking up the side
walks had become so frequent that on the
day in question Mr.. Clark put out three con-
stables to enforce the town ordinance. One
OF these constables arrested the tw) Saco
boys and brought them before Mr.. Clark.
There was no trial. The boys wanted to 20
with their wheels, and offered to leave a
watch as security that they would appear at
the proper time to answer the charge of
breaking the ordinance of the town. Mr..
Clark says he dealt with the boys as easily
as ne could and at once let them 60, keeping
the watch as security for their appearance.
Inc next day they came in according to
agreement, and the watch was given back to
them. They were not tried because there
was an uncertainty as to whether the side
walk where they were arrested had been laid
out legally and accepted by the town. 1t
has since been found from the town records
that the side. walk where they were arrested,
which Is in Libby Town, was laid out several
years ago by Andrew Hawes and David
Torrey, and later legally accepted by the
town. Therefore the c0nstables contend
that the arrest of the Saco boys was per
fectly legal; and when the trial comes off In
Alfred, II IL ever does, the constables will be
there, Mr.. Clark says. As yet the consta-
bles have received no formal notice that
they will be sued. their only knowledge com
Ing through the newspapers.
Monday three additional constables were
sworn In, Elias Jacobs, Alex, McCone and
MT. Dresser. OF Stroudwater. This makes
thirteen constables In Deering Mr.. Clark
says the regulation in regard to bicycles will
be enforced; and he does not want the boys
to get into trouble through any false idea
that the town of Deering has no power to
protect its sidewalks. The constables pro-
pose to keep bicycllsts off the sidewalk uu-
I'll their orders from the selectmen are
countermanded, and they will do this ire
spective OF whether they personally or the
town is to be liable for such suits as are now
threatened by the Sac0 boys.
Mr.. Clark makes this statement for the
benefit OF the boys In order that they NAV
not put themselves in the position of offend
ers.
There ought to be no trouble IL the bIcy
clists who ride In Deering had all behaved
themselves as they should. There are sew
eral hundred bicyclists In Portland and
Vicinity; and they use the Deering streets
a good deal. Most of them are gentlemen
and have used the sidewalks in such way
as not to disturb the pedestrians. Had all
Of them been like this there would have been
no objection. But few have been accus-
toned to ride up silently behind a lady or
gentleman of Deering, ring bell or blow
whistle, and demand Road" The lady
front Of her own home; it has made no diff
ference. A saucy young fellow has ridden
swiftly up behind her, ordered her off the
sidewalk, and then as he has speded past,
has laughed to see her jump. IL Is not to be
stand this. The few rude bicyclists have
conducted themselves in such way that ali
will have to forego the privilege of riding on
the sidewalk.
If at the beginning of another season all
bicyclists will adopt the rule to dismount
whenever they meet or pass a pedestrian,
there will probably be no trouble with the
constables OF Deering. According to law
and common sense both the sidewalk be-
longs to pedestrians, and the road is the
place for wheel vehicles. Ii bicyclists want
to use the sidewalks they should defer to