Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-09
AN OUTRAGE
Inflicted on Workingmen Of
Ward Seven Last Evening,
By Democratic Ward Heelers Clothed
in Uniform and Arrogance.
Augusta Police Employed 10 Bully Voters as a
Last Desperate Resort.

The most contemplate display of AFRO
gance and prostitution of the police force
and there have been many in the past year
was seen at meeting of workiu gmen
held in Ward Thursday evening,
Several weeks ago body of working
men in Ward Z, desiring to have place of
meeting, leased a hall in that neighborhood
and have been holding meetings there.
The Democrats thought theysaw in these
meetings danger to their political control,
and made every endeavor to break them
up. They circulated stories to the effect
that these meetings were held for
the purpose of rum drinking,
and it soon appeared that they
we're attempting to make show of
proving their claims by sending their heel
ers to the meetings with their pockets filled
with agency rum. 1t was noticed that bot
ties were being passed around by these fel-
lows, and the respectable men who had
leased the hall for legitimate purposes,
when they discovered anything of this sort
gave the obnoxious parties notice that their
room was preferable to their company.
Last evening meeting was held at the
hall. Everything was quiet and orderly and
no rum was noticed in the hall. 1t was
learned in course of the meeting that lot
Of foil urb bod A.
meetings, were hanging around the outside,
and it was reported by some who went out
that they had bottles of rum which they
were passing around.
After the meeting in the hall had ad-
journed and all had gone out save about 90
who remained behind, the crowd that had
been hanging around outside came into the
hall without leave or license and with them
three of the Democratic police in full uni
form and headed by Deputy Marshal Hanks.
Two of the police took their station at the
door. Deputy Hanks after gazing about
AMI making show of looking for some
thing, took seat by the stove.
As there hi; d been no disturbance, no
rum drinking or anything in the hall
the entire evening to call for any official
visit from the police, and as they had no
business there unless3 on duty, one of the
members present asked Officer Hanks what
they were there for.
Hanks replied that he came in to look on.
"Who sent you here? Are you here on
complaint" were the next questions asked.
Hanks said something about sleighs being
broken up or some similarly foolish re-
mark.
He was told to go ahead and arrest some
body so that the charges could be disproved.
He was also told that what drunkenness
there might have been about Pettingill's
corner had been caused by agency rum
sent there for the express purpose.
Hanks attempted denial but didn't offer
to leave the hall.
BY this time the Indignation which tie
men felt at this arrogant attempt to bully
them was at fever heat. Had any of them
been under the Influence of liquor, and had
the cooler heads of the party not used ev-
cry endeavor to keep the men quiet, there
is little doubt but what the police would
have been thrown out bodily. Several blew
out the lights and the crowd left the hall
toge ther with the police.
This visit from the police was wholly un-
called for. The Journal has list of
names of respectable citizens of that ward |
who were present at the meeting anl will |
testify that they saw no liquor in the |
hall during the evening and that there was
not the slightest disturbance.
In view of this fact in view Of the noto-
rious fact that drunken men have been al |
lowed to infest our streets, in many parts
Of which decent women could not pass
tlong without exposure to insult, is it Lot .
little strange that respectable men cannot !
iected to the outrsge of police espionage?
10 the hall where the meeting was held last
.vening, is a large notice, mo Drunken
less allowed On the streets of Augusta
FOR days there has been in living characters
he sign drunkenness allowed, no police
Walter Grover slipped last evening and
broke his ankle.