The Portland daily press., 1898-03-08

pected to Retire From Supreme Bench
Gross Questions Town Treasurer As to
His Expeuditures-Ladies Cheered
Judge On.
Bethel, March 7.-Odeon Hall was
packed to the doors today to witness the
spectacle of justice of the Supreme court
presiding over an annual town meeting.
1t was the most exciting town meeting
ever held in this town or possibly In the
State nf Maine.
When it came to the election of Iuodera'
tor there were two candidates, Judge
Enoch Foster and A. 3. Grover. Inc
vote stood, Foster 220; Grover, IS. AT the
announcement of the vote Judge roster
commenced to speak.
He was presented by Col. CLARK ..
Edwards with a gavel made from OAK
grown on the hill where Foster was born.
Foster then proceeded to say:
Gentlemen, what means such an ova-
ton on the part of the citizens OF TINS
town. l cannot account for it, but sup
pose you know what you are about. ihey
tell me this move which has mace me
moderator is a Democratic move; tnaO ~
was conceived and carried into execution
by the rabble, but if this is by the rabble,
I thank God that am with tnem anu
one of them.
He was glad that they had made THIS
demonstration; that they had turned OUT
in suoh large numbers; that they sUooo
where they did, and took the interest," that
they did in town affairs.
Judge Foster then proceeded to read
from the recent issues Of the press, dwell
ing especially upon the Boston Herald
articles. He quoted extensively from
these articles, commenting on them as ne
passed. He dwelt with special emphasis
on the statement that only three men IN
this town were favorable to his appoint
Inent, and quoted the figures from the
pstition In behalf of his appointments
"Ths action of this town has stamped
this statement as lie. tYou see how few
opponents 1 have, and wish now to ex-
press my sympathy for them,' he raid.
he closed with challenge to anybody
to come forward and show that he had
ever been other than true to his town ane
to his profession. This seemed to be sus
tanned by acts such as this of his election
as moderator rather than.by words.
"This demonstration is worth more te
me. and I am prouder of it than should
lie of an appointment to the Supreme
bench. / shall be free in two weeks, ane
I shall be with you the rest of my life. =
During the course of his speech he was
interrupted by one of the opposition who
made the motion that the meeting pro-
coed to business.
81 am moderator Numbered Judge
Foster, "and propose to take all the
time / wish and as regards business,
you'll get business enough before we get
through"
The Judge spoke for about fifteer
minutes amidst an almost continuou'
round of applause, and at the close IL wa
yeral moments before quiet was restored
70 the room, The women in the CALLER.
rose en- ,nasse, waving their handker
chiefs.
The meeting then proceeded in the ordi
nary manner until it came to the electlol
of treasurer. Mr.. James U. burlington
the town treasurer, is numbered among
the opposition, and when it came to tn
article for clearing the report OF tn
treasurer and electing a new treasurer TO
the coming year." Judge Foster arose.
sofI no ffhofnra yvo al
a treasurer, let US hear his report. " HI
then called Selectman Billings to tn
chair and the treasurer announced tina
his report was printed in the reports ant
they had all seen 1t, and therefore b
would not read it.
"Then,' said Foster, "have you all seel
it2'' Let us look 1t over. Let us SO
what we find here. Here is an item o
s15f expense for the sale of bonds for re
funding the town debt Now, I CLAIM
that the town treasurer should haye born
this expense as one of the duties OF hi
office. An expense of this nature shoul'
have come under his salary. I find thi
bill is itemized.
"And here is one item of printing, sos
That is exorbitant This printing coul
have been done for $40. I have the wor
of a man who is posted on matters Q
printing.
-. "And here is an item of $13 to A Z
Herrick for services. And here is $40
want expIained-s20 expense for the tow
treasurer in disposing of these bonds.
will have it explained before l pay tn
bill or allow the town to pay the bill
The treasurer, Mr.. burlington then e1
planned that he regarded the work on tn
bond issue in the line of special com
mittee. He was appointed special CON
mitteo to negotiate for the sale OF tines
bonds, and the bill was added to III
regular salary.
"What is the $13 to Herrick for?' aske
Foster.
sit is for advice and assistance wit
the special bonds replied the treasurer
But" said Foster, ''your services fo
$50 comes under treasurer report, not
q special committees. Where did you ge
this? What are we doing? Are we goin