The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-10-23

know at the time of signing the petltlon,
| while it may be true that the court had
ascertained a great many. Mr.. Libby
thought it was not SO much a question
whether the parties ought to have inves-
tigated the charges made against Gov.
ROBBIE, as whether they were misled by
the statements made to them. Mr..
Knowlton vigorously objected to going
any further into that he termed outside
matters, of no material interest" 1t
seemed to him to be a question who was
trying to withdraw. Albion Little was
then called by Mr.. Libby, and was
| questioned regarding his qualifications
as an expert. He said he had been
familiar with mills since he was II years
old. and for more than twenty years haq
owned and managed one mill, and been
interested in several Others He went to
the plush mill the day Gov. Robe was ap-
pointed assignee, and suggested that 1t
must be cleaned up. He found that the
sun was taking the color off piles or
yarn. He advised what should be done
to the machinery. Have the looms been
well looked after?" asked Mr.. LIBBY.
Yes. More especially when the locatlon
is considered. More care must be given
them on account of the salt water" MI.
Little said he was acting with GOV.
Robie as committee on the part OF the
creditors
Mr.. Knowlton here called Walter Ack-
royd, who wanted to make general
reply to Mr.. Little, but at the suggestion
of the court replied to questions put oy
Mr.. Knowlton, that is for while, and
then Gov. Robe and Mr.. Little asked him
few questions on their own account.
He said to Mr.. Sanford and Mr.. Randall
that some of the creditors thought Gov.
Robe, the president of the company,
ought not to be assignee. He SAID that
Mr. Little was running the mill, not Gov.
Robbie, and that neither knew anything
about the business. He denied that he
mentioned the name of Mr.. Spencer
Rogers to Mr.. Randall, and said that Mr..
Randall signed on the abroad ground
that there should be q creditor for
assignee He was then asked what
passed when he saw Mr.. Sanford after
that gentleman had asked to be allowed
to Withdraw. He said he told Mr.. Sanford
| that he did wrong to take his name Off
the petition. Mr.. Sanfordareplied that he
had confidence in Gov. ROBBIE, that ne
stood high in financial circles in Boston
and Portland, and that the state was
safe in his hands. Touching on the
quality of goods made under his manage
| ment, Mr.. Ackroyd said it could not be
bettered in any mill in this country.
| No mark was put on imperfect goods,
| but that was due to the condition OF
| affairs after the assignment. Mr.. Ackroyd
was questioned by Gov. ROBBIE and Mr..
Little about the condition OF one piece
of goods, and he said. THAT was all
I say that it isn't right, what will you
say?" Mr.. Ackroyd rejoined with some
sharpness, That you don't know any
| thing about it." To that Mr.. Little re-
! Joined, "But suppose the goods show for
| themselves.that am right?" Mr.. Ackroyd
admitted that he had reflected on thf
ability of Gov. Robe as manager, anC
il, ir.1,t h co i'll that his first
piece of goods made would be as good as
| he could ever make, but claimed that the
conditions were not right. In reply to a
question put by Mr.. Libby, he said he
went to Philadelphia to see creditors be-
fore the insolveny proceedings were be-
| gun.
in favor of the right of the petitioning
creditors to withdraw from the proceed
ings and paid his respects to Mr.. Ack--
| royd sharply, and in terms. He charged
that Mr. Ackroyd not only questioned
the ability and honor of Gov. Robe, but
dragged into it the business associates of
the Governor. He claimed that the
statements made to the creditors did i'm
press their minds, and influenced their
| action. If this case is decided against
Governor Robbie, then no man is safe to
/ undertake the management OF such
trust what is denied of all we have
| asserted" said MIR. Libby. only THIS
that Mr.. Ackroyd did not mention the
name of Mr.. Rogers to Mr.. Randall, but if
he did not, then how did Mr.. Randall
know about Mr.. Rogers?"
He sharply reviewed the evidence given
| by Mr.. Ackroyd. He said in conclusion
| that he believed it would be just and
right, in the interest of equity and OF
law, to allow the creditors to withdraw,
and that no imputation be made by a
| judicial decision against the reputation
| of Gov. Robe.
Mr. Knowlton said it was a clear case of
insolvency, not of SANDER. He claimed
that the management of the Fall River
mills withdrew from the petition, not
because new facts were presented to
them, but because they desired to be on
good terms with Gov. ROBBIE. AS a matter
Of law the required number of creditors
are here, and have rights. Certainly Mr..
Randall and Mr.. Barbour might have
fully informed themselves regarding the
condition OF the mill before they signed
the petition. He read from Hawkes. case
Goth Maine) He defended Mr.. Ackroyd.
He would not discuss motives, but would
rest his case on the law, and the facts.
Judge Peabody reserved his decision.
TIriop Veferan Legion.