Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-04-12
NO MORE GAMBLING At FAIRS.
STIPEND FOR AGRICULTURAL soCIE-
TIES.

Iu the Maine Farmer, Feb. 81, stten-
ton was called TO the position taken by
Sec. Mckeeu, OF the Board OF Agricult-
ure, in regard to the state stipend for
agricultural societies. and the RESPONSE
bilities OF said societies touching gam
bling and liquor selling. Sec. Mckeen,
acting on his own authority, withheld
the stipend In 1896, from the York
County Society, because Of gambling,
witnessed by him, and sgsin 10 ~, upon
reports Of open violation Of the law COW
ering the same and liquor selling.
Bell, wing the time had come for the
subject TO be ventilated, the duty OF the
Secretary OF the Board made plain, and
q stop put TO all illegal practices at our
fairs, the Farmer led the discussion, say
ing in closing: ut is for the good OF
the state that our fairs be made free and
clean from gambling devices, and the
good sense of the people will sustain
Sec. Mckeen, not 10 prosecuting any
society, but in checking the tendency To
greater liberties in the direction indicat-
ed. The fact that society sdvertises
Wide open attractions, does not prove
violation Of law and cannot be accepted
as Justification for action, however
much it NAV excite suspicion"
Again, Mar. 3, with view TO pushing
the matter to an issue, the Farmer In
sisted upon sn investigation, that tn.
rights Of all interested be established
and future steps made clear. York
County officials, sggrieved that their
proportion OF the stipend had twice been
withheld, requested a hearing before the
Governor and Council, which Was grant
ed Mar. -. At the opening OF the hear
ing Governor Powers ruled:
lst. That the secretary had no su-
thority for withholding the stipend, his
duties being clerical.
"a. Thst II wss his duty TO present
evidence Of irregularities TO the Governor
and Council before the warrants were
drawn.
81. That the Governor and Council
alone could determine the question OF
violation Of law In such cases.
These rulings were exsctly In line
with the position already taken by the
Farmer, and clearly indicate the steps 10
be followed in the future.
NtCTtlArN .NIhftu tt>tiueu W. WRuNSS-
ing games Of chance on the grounds NJ
Saco. in 1896, but failing 10 report same
to the officers. or show Ia any WAY that
they were allowed" the stipend for the
year wss ordered paid.
For 1897, the evidence OF open viola
tion of law WAS abundant, snd while the
records showed, and officers testified,
that nothing OF the kind WAS TO be al
lowed on the grounds, vet the facts pre-
sented proved that both beer selling and
gambling. In many forms, were carried
on throughout the fair and in the face
and ewes Of crowds OF people.
The result was vote withholding the
amount otherwise due for 1897. which
amount reverts To the credit OF the state
The outcome of this hearing will be the
clearing of the atmosphere around all
fair grounds receiving state aid, and for
this, credit Is 10 be given Secretary Nc
Keen. Who worked up strong case
against York County Society, and also
the officers OF that society who, by bring
ing demand for the money, have secured
rulings from the Governor and Council
which will materially check the tendency
towards greater liberties.
Hereafter. until the law is changed, II
will be- the duty Of the Secretary OF the
Board OF Agriculture Tn certify 70 the re-
turns as msde up by the officers OF the
Incorporated societies, aud forward sam"
10 the State Treasurer, and then present
20 the Governor and Council, before the
warrants are drawn, snv and all evidence
of violation OF law which may be In his
possession.
No step has been taken for years
which will have more heSlthy or re-
strsining influence, holding our sgri-
cultural societies strictly TO the tield OF
operations for which they were created
and which alone can promote the great
industry of the state. and countersct the
growing sentiment for free and easy ex-
hibitions -Msine Farmer.