Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-26
COUNCIL MEETING.
Petition for tine Removal of Warden
F. A. Snow Heard.
One Pardon Case Listened tc-Ao Action
Taken on Either.

Governor Powers and all his Council
We're together. Monday, for the first
time in months. as some members has
been absent at each Of the meetings.
Hon. j. f. Hill Of Augusta. the coun-
ciior from the Fourth district was in
his seat, having but just arrived from
an European trip.
The honorable body had no idea at
the start what was in store for them
as il had been advertised as Il possible
short meeting, hut as such it did not
prove 10 be success. Ii was one of
the longest meetings If the year. IL
caualied almost the meeting Of the last
Council when. last year. thu Saco State
stipend case came up.
The case that occupied their time
was that Of the petition for removal 81
Fred A. Snow OF Harpswell, as FISH
warden. This petition was referred 10
the Governor and Council, last spring.
and they referred j; To Commissioner
Nickerson. That gentlemen found
nothing to warrant discharge Of tho
man whom he had previously selected
lbi liz tIitAtN tlil'4 --.' 'l'''I tr'l Mp iii'
Governor and Council. but h. thought
perhaps it would I'M Wcll To have 1n
official investigation. The ease was
postponed from time ID time ID allow
the petitioners or the remonstrants
time to bring forth certain evidences.
At the last meeting il was postponed
because there was . case pending on
the docket Of the Cumberland grand
/,
an assault upon 4 man. This case has
been tried by the grand jury who found
iii indictment ana tried by the super
ior court jury who found him guilty
but ii has been appealed To tho law
court On exceptions filed by General
charles p. Matt1cks. the counsel for
SpoW.
Barrett Potter. ESQ, Of Brunswick,
appeared for the petitioners for the re-
moval ana he as well as General Mat
tocks had several witnesses in the case.
At the start General Mattocls asked
fur the dismissal ot the case as no
specific charges had been made. ana
the man couid b. removed only on
charges The petitioners claimed that
the man did not fairly and justly en-
force the laws of the state and that he
favored many who sold short Holsters.
at the same time prosecuting others
who We're not breaking the laws.
Nh Potter said he had specifically
told the counsel ana the honorable body
III several cases ana mad witnesses to
prove them, but that hc should use as
his principal evidence the case in the
Cumberland superior court. This Gen
oral Mattocks objected to and for
long time the two attorneys argued the
ease.
Governor Powers said he had never
had a removal case before but that ne
supposed the Council would wish To do
as III the past. To get ut the facts Of the
ease I'VE desire always ~ set hear
inc to devclope facts" ho said. I'm
casa Mo lra not satisfied and ME- are in
doubt. We postpone to set further evil
dence. Il is hut matter Of Justice to
both sides that this body wishes"
Then General Mattucks brought up
the letter of MIR. Potter of the previous
meeting when he suggested that the
case be postponed until it was settled
in the courts 1t is not settled. argued
The general. for it is appealed to the
law court.
Governor Powers offered to 81 into
executive session to get the views oi
the councillors upon the matter and this
was done the result being that they
| decided to hear the testimony at once
as all Interested We've present with
Witnesses The Governor said that IN
/ der the statute the removal of fish
warden was not for specific charges
! alone. but for the good Of the service,
/ ii could he done.
Mr.. Potter opened the case by read
ling the petition for removal. 1T some
times happens that men get into ofIlce
| who are not fit for it," he said, land we
claim this is one of the cases. Snow in
character and disposition is UNFIT for
any public office. on July 2d, he fur-
nished evidence Of this. He went out
to Gun point and there assaulted Il
partv of gentlemen and ladies' because
he had a grudge against ono OF them.
He then 4 few days later went into
court and testified that he took ~
inch lobster from them. that he did not
take from them, as the Cumberland
county courts have since been salts
fed"
Mr.. Potter also said the Brunswick
municipal court. the Cumberland
grand jury and the Cumberland SUI
perior court. has decided Mr.. Snow
committed an assault.
Fred Tides Of Orr's Island, said he
witnessed MI snow sell some Holsters
IL 4 man and that there We're some q
them under size. He admitted he did
not measure them but saw the other
man throw them overheard. Mr. f. D.
Alexander testified that he had seer
Holsters sold under size and supposed
Snow knew of them. He said on cross
Continued on page g.