Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-03-15
COMMITTEE CHOSEN
TO Settle the Hale Note
Cases Against Foxcroft.
Expected that Holders Will Compro-
mise at % Per Cent.
And Probably Settlement Will Be Made Tor
About $4,000.

FoXcroft, Me-. March 14-Intense ex-
element prevailed at the annual town
meeting here. today, provoked by the
tremendous financial problem confront
ing the people, as a result of the recent
decision Of the law court that notes
given by the laJe town treasurer. Elias
J. Hale, We're good, and that the town
must shoulder a debt of $751;. 900, incur
red thereby.
Inc chlet feature Of the meeting, to-
Day was action upon proposition TO
choose a committee of three citizens
70 effect a settlement with the holders
81 NOTES against the town, and the
judgment creditors of the town This
| committee viii be directed not to bind
the town to pay over % per cent. on
thls Indebtedness, the total amount not
10 exceed $4,000 unless otherwise in
stfacted by vote of the town.
Inc verdict was unanimous and the
committee was chosen without an OBJ
posing vote. Those elected are: j. F.
Hughes, chairman, j. B. Mayo. and
Wainwright Cushing.
The following officers We're elected.
Selectmen, W. p. Cakes, John Arnold
ana Clinton Weston; treasurer, w. S.
liam; agent and auditor w. E. Par
sons; superintendent Of schools, Edith
Cakes; road commissioner, Hiram
Davis
Although the choice of the financial
committee was without objection the
article TO raise a sum of money to
pay outstanding claims against the
town aroused considerable strife Will
MS Parsons, in an eloquent speech, said
mat no one regretted it more than ne.
yet the town was liable for these iudg-
mehtS and the note holders must have
thelr money. He asked the citizens not
10 lie the hands of the committee which
had Just been chosen by compelling
these Judgment creditors to levy. 1t
was finally voted to raise $500.
Inc present predicament of the town
Is the result of what is considered gem
orally as disregard of town finances
Tor more than 30 years, during which
Judge Elias j. Hale, considered to be
one OF the most upright and honorable
men IN the State, was repeatedly elect
ed town treasurer His reports of the
financial standing Of the town were al
ways accepted without question and il
was not until the year 1894 when Will
nam I. CAKES was elected to the board
of seiectmen, that bond was required
OF Judge Hale, and at that time Mr.
pakeS was severely criticised for de-
manding such security.
Mf. Cakes, however, seemed to think
the statutes should be carried out, ever
IN case in which the action was con-
Sidered almost in the light of sacrilage
Later as the town seemed to be getting
out of debt, Mr.. Cakes wanted a list Of
those holding notes against the town
Such list could not be obtained from
Judge Hale, and, when pressed, he said
It would he impossible to furnish one
as he had promised his friends that he
Would not do So and. if necessary. he
would resign rather than break his
word.
The selectmen decided not to push
the matter then. but to wait until the
next town meeting. and elect a new
treasurer.
At the next meeting of the town.
however, Judge Hale was again elected
town treasurer. When his report came
up Tor approval, it was closely scanned
anu among the items was one of $500
advanced by treasurer" Selectmaa
oakes az once wanted an explanation
of it, and on March 2S 1895. he visited
Judge Hale and talked the matter over.
ard was told to come in after dinner.
and they would go over the whole mat
TER. IN hour after Mr. Oakes's inter-
view, Judge Hale committed suicide.
by shooting. in his office
The tragedy was severe shock to
the community, first of sadness. but
later OF horror, when it came to light
that an extensive plan of defalcation
had been carried on for years. Upon
the news of Judge Hales death per-
sons holding notes given by the dead
treasurer came to the selectmen and
wished their money, and within three
Gays OF Hales suicide, notes to the
amount of SAG, 900 We're presented
The investigation which followed,
showed that Judge Hale for a great
many years had been borrowing money
for his own use and giving in return
notes against the town. Within three
months after his death $4,000 in notes
were on the list, while several who held
similar paper did not make known the
Special town meetings were
called and able counsel was employed
TO guard the interests of the town
AS the late treasurer had exceeded
his authority in pledging the credit of
ne town to this extent, the position as
;umed by the town was that they owed
nothing. Suits We're brought by sew
'ral of the note holders. and five of the
cases were carried to the law court.
iheSe eases were regarded as test
asses to test the validity of the whole.
and the recent decision of the court
makes Foxcroft liable for nearly all of
he debt.
Considerable excitement was mani
est when the decision became known
md speculation as to the probable out
ONE of the matter was rife With
Otal valuation Of but s547 900, it would
'c impossible to pay the whole of the
ebt without levying such an excessive
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