Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-24
GRAVE CHARGES
Preferred Against Judge Foster
Of the Supreme Bench.
Action Taken by W. c. 7. U.--young
Woman's Name Connected.
What Neighbors, Friends and His Church Saw
About the Mater.

Especial Dispatch to Boston Herald.)
The Maine Womans Christian Tenn
perance Union has declared war on
Judge Enoch Foster, who during the
past IA years has occupied a seat upon
the supreme bench of Maine.
The fiat went forth Wednesday in the
shape of resolve addressed to Gov
ernor Powers and imploring him not to
reappoint Judge Foster at the expira-
ton of his present term, which is near
at hand.
In the Portland headquarters of the
State Union there have been numerous
conferences recently, and voluminous
correspondence has been carried on
among the various officers Of the State
| and county unions. 1t was known that
! some sort of lightning was about to
emanate from this aggressive body, but
its character and where it would strike
were matters of conjecture only. A
genuine surprise was administered
when the news of the executive COM
mittee's action became known Wednes-
| day night.
The communication forwarded to the
Governor charges Judge Foster with
immortality and calls attention to his
expulsion from the Conversational
| church in Bethel. Accompanying the
| resolution was sent a copy of the
church records in reference to that ex-
pulson.
The resolution, which is prefaced by
a brief note to the Governor from the
president of the Maine w. C. T. u,
bears the signatures of the president,
recording secretary, assistant record
ing secretary, treasurer. State superin-
tendent and all of the presidents of the
10 county unions.
Shorn of its introduction and the sig
natures, it reads as follows:
Resolved. that while endeavorinp tn
exercise great care not to do injustice to
the character or reputation of any public
officer, either by hasty or ill-considered
utteranceS nevertheless, after careful de-.
liberation, we are forced to the painful
conclusion based upon reliable evidence
voluntarily brought to our attention that
the conduct of Judge Enoch Foster of the
supreme jud cial court of Maine, has been,
and in spite of the warnings of friends
and expulsion from the church. still con.
tinues to be- so grossly immoral and no.
toriously scandalous as to demand the
most emphatic public remonstrance from
all thoughtful and responsible citizens
against his reappointment, and that a
copy of this resolution be sent to Gov
Powers as an expression of our convic-
tons and remonstrance in this matter.
To the Boston Herald correspondent
one of the officers of the State Union
said: I'VE did not go into this matter
blindly. We have been long time
considering it, and have made sure of
our ground. We realize that it is a
serious charge we have made against
this public official, but we stand ready
to produce evidence to substantiate it.
We have consulted legal advisers and
have proceeded cautiously in the mat
ter. l do not see how the Governor
can ignore our appeal, and l do not be-
lieve he WILL.
The Herald's Bethel correspondent
further explains: The term of office of
Judge Foster will expire March "a. 1898.
During several months there have been
rumors that opposition would be made
to his reappointment, and therefore the
report that the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union of the State has
sent resolutions to Gov. Powers pro-
testing against his reappointment will
cause no surprise to some.
1t has been known for some time
that his home life was not a happy one,
dence. and his wife is lady above re-
proach. She belongs to the famous
Chapman family which has always
stood at the head of the country
around for responsibility and the posi-
ton which wealth gives. 1t is stated
that at the time of her marriage she
brought her husband a fortune of $780,
900.
For long time it has been known TO
a few that the judge has been charged
with unfaithfulness to his marriage
vows, and it finally became so notori-
Gus that the First Congregational
church of Bethel. of which Judge Fos-
ter was member, took the matter In
hand. and. with the advice Of the
church membership, the Rev. James
Jordan. pastor of the church, interested
himself in the matter. The Herald cor
respondent is informed, on what would
seem to be the very best authority,
that Feb. 2S, 1896, Judge Foster con-
essed to the Rev Mr.. Jordan that lie
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