The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-09-10
a Refutation of Measurements.

a AotOCl' W MIN 10 lHltnueQ To defeat
the election of NJ. Payson Viles. the
republican nominee for sheriff. has
been widely circulated throughout this
county, AMI it is so manifestly unfair in
its statements, that feel called upon to
issue this answer and explanation, that
the voters of this county may not be de-
ceiyed as to the facts. This letter is
signed by about half of the clergymen in
this county, who, in their zeal for the
promotion of temperance have taken the
word of one or two of their number |
believe, that all the statements therein
contained are truthful. With all due
respect for these gentlemen, whom |
believe to have been most -egregiously
deceived, | denounee this letter as a
Democratic campaign document intend
ed to deceive the honest and faithful
Republican and ALLEVIATE him from his
party nominee for sheriff, who is one of
the most faithful, honest and conscien-
tious officials that we have ever elected
to office. In analyzing, and DENYING
their statements, | do it upon the sup
position that every man who reads this.
has been provided with one of their
letters.
The first misstatement is that
during his administration not a rum
shop has been closed in this county.
Herewith we append list of the rum
sellers who have been driven out of
business by Mr.. Vlles and his deputies
in the last three years. Russell Gilman,
Horace Priest, A. b. Mcdonald, Frank
TheDio, Harry Doble, Madison; VIII
White, II. j. Hume, Wyatt HUFF, John
Benson, Il. p. MeIntire, John Dudley, W.
IL. Jones, Arson; John Butler, VIM.
Doyle, Ed. Pumlow, II. Smith, lin iail)
Alfonso, alias John Vigue, Skowhegan
Chas. Tagne, Albert Tague. Joseph
Wyers, No. New Portland; d. Gipser,
Harry Adams, Ed. Baker, Fairfield; J.
A. Tibbetts, Ames Bros Pittsfield
Lloyd Frost, VIII Wilder Harmony.
Does this look as though that statement
was an honest one and not intended to
deceive?
The second statement is, that the
clergy and business men of Skowh
gan, represented by the nine mem
bers of the executive committee of
the Civic League have repeatedly
visited the sheriff and plead with
him To close he bars which they
allege are being run openly in Skowhe-
gan. Upon the word of Mr.. Payson Viles,
who is an honorable gentleman, they
have visited him Just OHce. Upon that
occasion they requested him to appoint
special liquor deputy and his answer
was, that in no way could he cndow his
deputies with any more power than what
they had, and that lie, jointly with his
twelve assistants, stood ready to serve
any and all warrants which they might
place in his hands; that if they did NOT
wish to sign any warrants he would take
a step 'in advance of any sheriff which
we have ever had and would issue them
himself" and in evidence that his
efforts to suppress the liquor traffic have
been honest, IN Tie last sir moHthS, he
has StroiW ont ten lrdiruHtS against The
iiquor deaierS in .Skotchegda alone. Is
this the man, who has been the great
barrier in the way of the enforcement
of the law? Why were not the voters
of Somerset informed of these incontest-
able facts?
The third general statement OF this
document which is misleading, is the
impression which they try to convey
that the business men of Skowhegan are
in sympathy with this movement against
Mr.. Nlles, and that it is generally in
dorsed by the Civic League The bust
ness men of Skowhegan are practically
unanimous in their support of Mr.. Niles.
Can Republicans be found To believe
and indorse the libelous statement
which they make, that Mr.. Niles has
in the past, and will in the future, if
elected, protect those who are engaged
in this murderous business
DO the facts as we have stated them
lead you to believe that this is true? Is
it not libel on all Republicans to
stigmatize them as rum sympa-
thizers''?
The statement which they make in re-
ference to the amount of fines collected
annually, is also very misleading as it is
intended to give the impression that Mr.
Niles is entirely to blame for it. | wish
to ask the sensible and candid voter if
the Court doesnt impose the fine? If
the County Attorney isn't the one that
carries out the order of the Court2 And
If such is the case, why isn't it deceiv-
ing the voters who read that circular,
by drawing the inference that Mr.. Niles
is the one who has it wholly in charge.
There have been some fifty liquor cases
moi proSSed during his administration by
the County a Attorney; is Mr.. Viles to be
blamed for that?
Republicans, what will you do? viii
you stand by your nominee, who is one
of the most honorable and consistent
Temperance men in the county, or will
you be led astray by the specious argu-
ments intended to deceive, of our an
cient and hereditary enemy, the Demo
cratic party? viii you be true to yom
trust and by your vote vindicate the
character of one of our most prominent
business men, or will you cast it with a
party which has Endorsed free rum since
time immemorial.
They are cunning, with them it is
anything to beat Their arguments
bear the semblance of truth but when
subjected to an investigation their true
object is exposed
| will close with an earnest appeal to
all true and loyal Republicans to sup
port the entire ticket, believing as | do
that it is in the true interest of good
government, true and noble principles,
and good citizenship.
+. 5. CAIRNS, Chairman
Reppbiicaa county CommHtee.
For the REPORTER.
A Jingle of the Day.
., little silver dollar