The Republican journal., 1892-05-19

1880 he was made attorney general of the
State and was twice re- elected. serving
five years. During the first year he was
instrumental in securing the passage, by
the legislature, of new tax act, relative
to the taxation of railroad and telegraph
companies, designed to procure more
revenue to the State from those sources.
4 The taxes We're duly assessed against
these corporations; the railroads refused
to pay and suits were brought. The cases
were carried to a successful termination
by Mr.. Cleaves and all decided in favor OF
the State. and nearly $780, 600 was subse-
uuently paid into the State treasury re-
sulting from this litigation. Judge Will
liam l.. Putnam and Judge Nathan Webb
We're counsel for the railroads in these
cases.
During his term of Office as attorney
general he was engaged in the prosecll-
ton of some Is murder cases. Among
some of the more notable We're the case OF
Wallace and Benjamin Chadbourne. at
Dover, for the murder OF Alvin Watson.
the trial occupying some three weeks. and
in which Byron Chadbourne, the deaf
mute. figured SO prominently: the case of
Mary Barrows and Oscar T. Blaney. at
Saco. for the murder of Thomas Barrows
and that of Daniel Wilkinson. at Bath,
for the murder of the police officer. and
the two Italians Sentorie and CaDone. at
Bangor Since the expiration Of the at
torney general term the principal pol-
ton of his time is devoted to the practice
of his profession, having eases in nearly
all the courts of the State.
Mr. Cleaves is a prominent member of
the Grand Army and the Maine State
Veteran Association. In the practice of
his profession and in matters Of charity
he has always shown great friendship
for the old soldier. His defence of Viii
liam L. Best in the eXtradtion proceed
ings brought against him few Years AGO
by the Province OF Ntw Brunswick will
be readily recalled. as it excited great in
tere>t at the time.
Best served in the American navy and
il was said at the time that he was the
first sailor who lost a leg. After his dis
charge from the navy he finally settled on
Campobello Island. He was a member
of the Grand Army Post at Eastport.
In October, 1885, he had a controversy
with Edward NJ Batson, a resident Of
Campobello Island, and during the CON
troversy Best drew his revolver and fired
at Batson wounding him in the face Best
then took his boat and rowed across to the
American side landing at PASSPORT. follow
ed by Batson's father and brother armed
with rifles who kept up a constant fire up
on Best. Best standing in the stern of his
boat. returned the fire with a small re-
volVer which he had with him, but his
shots fell short. The officers of New
Brunswick commenced eNtratlition pro-
ceedings against Best in the district court
of the nited States at Portland charg-
ing that he attempted ''teloniouslN and
OF malice of forethought" to kill Edward
NJ. Batson. vt the request of the East
port G.. \. X. Post Mi. Cleave> appeared
fol Best. The commissioner before whom
til" case was heard after 4 prutractel
hearing committed Best to Jail certified
the proceedings to Washington and wal-
rant was issued by the state department
ful the surrender OF Best and his return to
Ca:up"bello island for trial there The
officer arrived here from New Brunswick
to take Best back to Campobello. but Nh
CleaveS made one more effort in his behalf
which proved successful. H. applied tol a
writ Of habeaS corpus before Judge Webb
in the circuit court, claiming that the lriS-
oner was Illegally detained, that the pro
ceedings before the commissioner were
void. that the warrant issued by Secretary
Bayarl at Washington was Illegal. and
shat no authority existed under the treaty
for the surrender to the authorities of
New Brunswick. Best, who had been
confined here in Jail about 80 days. was
brought before Judge Webb and the hear
ing commenced After a protracted hear
ing it was held by Judge Webb that the
original proceedings We're fatally defective
and Best was finally discharged by the cir
cult court to the great satisfaction of his
old comrades. He returned to PASSPORT
and has since been living there in sight of
CampObello.
When at homeland he rarely goes away
except on business-General Cleaves al
ways attends High Street congregational
Church. He is generous and charitable.
although he lisa men of moderate means,
and no worthy seeker for aid ever comes
from him empty handed
No other candidate for the Republican
nomination for governor has yet appeared
in the field and the honor is universally
accorded to Genera Cleaves. Indeed at
the recent Bangor convention he was in
troduced by Chairman Savage as the next
governor of the State and was enthusiast
tically cheered as SUCH There is no doubt
whatever that the nomination will come
, without a dissenting voice. and after that
the election.
He will be another in the long line of
distinguished looking Maine governors.
He is tall, has a manly figure military
bearing and altogether a notable appear
ance.
Above all he is a good citizen and gen
ial gentleman, and after waiting SO long
Portland, is proud to present to the State
such an able chief magistrate.
IuL Coz nNL,I