Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-11-05
NOT SATISFIED.
Rev. Mr.. Hanscom Thinks He Didn't
Have Fair Hearing.

| In response TO request OF a represent
sative OF the Bangor Commercial. Rev.
Mr.. Hsnscom wrote as follows:
1.-THE Hancock county republican convention
which WAS hel4 In Ellsworth May 20. renomi-
mated Howard n. whitcomb as candidate for the
office of sheriff. During the term which Mr..
whitcomb was then serving. the prohibiiory
law had not been enforcud. The liquor traffic
had gradually increased. and conditions were
coming TO be tniolerable.
AFTER the republican state convention adj
journed, waich at its meeting In Portland,
June II. had adopted platform demanding
faithful and impartial enforcement by the ON
GERS Of the law. I.wrote SIR. wnltcomb, asking
him II he could and would 80 enforce the pro.
hibitory iaw. provided he should be elected
sheriff of the county for another term.
after vainly waiting week for an answer,
I went to Ellsworth. and saw Mr.. whitcomb In
his home.
II insisted that the people of county de-
sired Just such enforcement the republican
party demanded of the officers OF the law. and
assured him that II he would promise to do his
duty 10 the best of his ability IL elected, would
work for him untiE the day OF election; but, II
he would not stand fairly and squarely on the
platform of our party, | could aud would run
against him.
"He could not see his way clear To make such
promise. and proceeded to get out nomina.
ton papers, and entered the field under the head
of enforcement of law
III won the election by plurality OF more
than 400 votes. counting the votes according to
the intention of the voters"
After recounting the circumstances
that led up to the hearing last Wednes-
day, Mr.. Hanscom continues:
"we appeared before tine governor and coun.
ell at that time ready to present our case We
stated that we had an exact record Of uncounted
votes enough to give as substantial plurality.
and were prepared TO submit said record, to
gether with the tsllots. town records and the
testimony of clerks.
"when that point reached one of the
councilmen asked II we had votes enough to
win on; aud being assured that We had. the
governor and council retired to another room.
and In very few minutes returned. and an
nounced that they had decided to exclude our
evidence.
SIN other words they decided to disregard
the law which they were under, and which was
mandatory upon them"
After citing the circumstances attend
ing the alleged Illegal election In two
wards In Ellsworth, he continues:
"But the Official returns were ignored, and
despite law, votes and everything else the cleo
ton was given to Mr. whitcomb, against the
will of the people of Hancock county as ex-
pressed at the polls Sept s.
"when Governor Garcelon and council at
tempted to count out the republican party they
chung to technicalities, but In this case law,
technicalilies, vote, justice and all went by tho
board.
Counting out has come to he line art in our
State. But, VIII, re are our RI hts under the con
stitution and before the liw?''
A largely attended meeting OF citizens
was held at the Methodist church, Bar
| Harbor MONDAY evening to express in