The Portland daily press., 1901-01-01
The Transfer Of Keys Took Place at
Midnight.
What New Sheriff Said
to His Deputies.
Told Them That They Must En-
force Laws on Every Hand.

The first sheriff of Cumberland county
TO be elected on Prohibition ticket. TOOK
over the duties OF this Office at midniRht
and now is in charge at the jail and en-
trusted with the execution Of the laws OF
the state. This transfer was made as the
clocks Of the city indicated the passing OF
the old year when Sheriff Despeaux. who
has held the office for two years, formally
turned over the keys to his successor.
Yesterday forenoon Mr.. Pearson dep
mites to the number Of 20, assem- bled in
the Supreme court room to take their
oath OF office and to receive their COM
missions. All of the deputies appointed
were present with the exception OF
James Ii. Banks, civil deputy, who Will
qualify and receive his commission to-
day and Edward W.Jepson Of Casoo, who
was prevented from being present
because OF an injury he received few
days ago. Capt, BOYD OF South Portland
was also appointed deputy sheriff. but
hs will not accept the position and Ithe
city of south Portland will have no dep
utv sheriff as MIR Pearson will not ap-
point any one else to this position. Each
deputy sheriff TOOK his oath separately
and then received his commission from
the hands OF MIR. Pearson. William K.
Neal, a dedimus justice, administered
the oaths, When all had taken the oath
MIR. Pearson addressed his deputies as
follows:
"Gentlemen, by decisive vote Of the
people on the 10Th of last September, they
entrusted the administration OF the
sherifT's office OF Cumberland county
to my hands, for a faithful and Impair
tial enforcement of the laws. In this
matter 1 propose to be as honest and
unprejudiced and unbiased as believe
st. Paul would be had he been chosen
to occupy this same position. And hav-
ing occupied q conspicuous position /
stand today and challenge any and all
men to show wherein L haven ever vio-
lated promise or left a pledge unre-
deemed, and by Gods grace assisting
me, my determination is that my tenurs
of official position and everything ap-
pertaining thereto shall not BE- an ex-
oeption, and to this end, gentlemen,
after careful and prsyerful consideration,
and meditation and searching investiga-
ton, / have determined by the wisdom
and revelation of Almighty God to call
you to ny support to aid me in the
enforcement of the laws
"Ihis staff of deputies is taken from
thres political parties, namely, Republl.
can, Democratic and Probitionist, and
although divided by political names,
1 believe, gentlemen, that We are one in
heart, and that we have one common
purpose in view that Is to stand firmly
bound to the honest fullfilment or our
oaths of office. would not, gentlemen,
have you think me arbitrary or that l
desire to deprive You OF anv OF your
personal rights or liberties, but as the
Issues of the last campaign were fought
solely upon enforced prohibition, which
to my mind means abstinence in the
individual snnihilation of the traffic In
Intoxicating liquors, l must demand
of you that you abstain from the use OF
all intoxicants during your tsrm of office,
to which you are this day appointed at
my pleasure, and If any man is not sat
isfied to serve under these conditions 1
sion and deliver to him his bond.
81 have asked many officials why thsy
did not better enforce the prohibitory
law, aud in many instances have been
told, because they were not instructed
to do so.' Bnt, gentlemen, instruct
you today to absolutely enforce this law
against all violators within the limits OF
this county. We have now, believe,
q mutual understanding, and as we enter
tomorrow upon our official duties let US
stand firmly bound each to the other
with a God-given determination to ac-
quit ourselves,as honest men and an hon.
or to the people we serve.''
At the close of the address Sheriff -eleot
Pearson offered most fervent prayer
for the wisdom and protection or AL
mighty God to guide and sustain them
in their several duties.
At the conclusion OF the prayer Mr..
Pearson's deputies presented him with
q silk hat and oockade, prescribed by
custom IS the insignia of his office. AT
mir. Pearson's invitation the party then
adjourned to Robario's restaurant. above
City hall. where they partook of course
dinner.
All of ths property pertaining to the
sheriff oftioe had bsen tran sferred to
MIR. Pearson and his deputies by Sheriff
Dsspeaux earlier in the day and In the
evening MIR. Pearson went to the Jail to
remain until midnight when the formal
transfer OF the jail keys and property took
place.