Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-01-05

Stephen c, Perry a. the members of the firm.
Their law offices are at Psyson's block, 80
Exchange street. occupying nearly the en-
tire second floor of the block. They have
one OF the largest AM most expensive law
libraries in the State.
Since coming 10 Portland, Nr. CeaYes
has been in public life much OF the time
and in various capacities has ALWAYS done
credit to himself and the city. He was a
member of the Legislature in Isi5-15 and
was chairman of the judiciary committee.
In 1877 he was elected city solicitor, and
during his two years of office he tried many
important cases for the city. In 1880 he
was made attorney general of the State and
was twice reelected, 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
70 produce more revenue TO the state from
those sources The taxes we're duly as
sessed against these corporations: the rail
roads refused 10 pay ami suits were brought.
The eases wer.- carried to successful ter
minaiion By Mr.. Cleaves and all decided
in favor OF the State, and nearly 800, 1000
was subsequently, paid into the State treas
ury resulting from this litigation. Judge
William l.. Putnam and Judge Nathan
Webb were counsel for the railroads in
these cases.
During his term of Office as attorney
general he was engaged 10 the prosecution
of some Is murder cases. Among some of
the mere notable were the case of Wallace
and Benjamin Chadbourne, at Dover, for
the murder of Alvin Watson, the trial oc-
eupyin1y some three weeks, and in which
Byron Cliadbourne. the deaf mute. figured
so prominently the case of Mary Barrows
, and Oscar +. Blaney, at Saco, for the muir
, der of Thomas Barrows and that of Daniel
| Wilkinson, at Bath, for the murder Of the
! police officer, and the two Italians Sentorie
and Capone, at Bangor. Since the expira-
ton Of the attorney generals term the
| principal portion of his time is devoted to
the practice of his profession, having cases
| in nearly all the courts of the State.
| Mr.. Cleaves is prominent member of
| the Grand Army and the Maine State Vet
eran 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 William T. Best
in the extralition proceedings brought
against him a few years ago by the Province
of New Brunswick will BE- readily recalled,
as it excited great interest at the time.
| Best served in the American navy and it
1 was said at the time that he was the first
sailor who lost leg. After his discharge
from the navy he finally settled o, Campo
bello island. He was member of the Grand
Army Post at Passport. In October lsSS
he had controversy with Edward NJ. Bat
son, resident of Campobelo island, and
during the controversy Best drew his reyol-
yer and fired ut Batson wounding him in the
, face. Best then took his boat and rowed
across TO the American side landing at
/ Eastport, followed by Batson's father and
| brother armed with rifles who kept up a
constant fire upon Best. Best standing
in the stern of his boat, returned the
fire with a small revolver which he had
with him, but his shots fell short. The
officers of New Brunswick commenced ex-
tradition proceedings against Best in the
district court of the United States Mt Port
land charging that he attempted ''felonious-
( ly and of malice of forethought" to kill Ed
ward VI. Batson At the request of the
PASSPORT &. A. r. Post, Mr.. Cleaves ap-
peared for Best. The commissioner before
whom the case was heard after protracted
hearing committed Best to Jail. certified the
proceedings to Washington and warrant
was issued by the State department for the
surrender of Best and his return to Campo
beilo Island for trial there. The officer
arrived here from New Brunswick to take
Best back to Campobello. but Mr.. Cleaves
made one more effort in his behalf which
proved successful. He applied for a writ
of habeas corpus before Judge Webb in
the circuit court, claiming that the prso-
ner was Illegally detained, that the pro-
cee,liugs before the commissioner were
void. that the warrant issued by Secretary
/ Bayari at Washington was Illegal and that
no authority existed under the treaty for
the surrender to the authorities of New
Brunswick. Best who had been confined
here in Jail about 10 days, was brought be-
fore Judge Webb and the hearing COM
menced. After protracted hearing it was
held by Judge Webb that the original pro-
ceedings We're fatally defective and Best
was finally discharged by the circuit 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-tieneral Cleayes always
attends High Street Congregational church.
lie is generous and charitable, although lie
is man of moderate means, and no worthy
seeker for aid ever comes from him empty
handed