Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-13
W.kTERV LILLE.
WATERWLLE SETTLED.
Revenua Officer Seizas Liquor Agency and City
Decides to Pay License Fee.

WaterVille settled. She was caught
red-handed in the very act and conse
,luently the 100 or more cold plunkers
were Forthcoming and Deputy United
States Marshal Leslie A. Dyer Of the
United States internal revenue service
departed with grip that would just
about escape the new rule on the
Maine Central.
Tho thing happened in this way
Watervillc in common with other
Maine cities has a liquor agency, where
liquor can be obtained for medicinal
and mechanical purposes. WaterVille.
also in common with other Maine
cities, il is understood, has not been
very promptly paying Uncle Sam his
customary due for this privilege. 1t is
Il well-llnoWn fact that it is about as
easy to escape death as the revenue
collectors, but the city has managed 10
60 it occasionally in times past and
there have been others SO lis said, bus
others should beware, for Waterville
has had 10 settle and it is up 20 them
# they are still in arrears.
The matter has been discussed at the
city government meetings from time tn
time and ut some length. The course
Of other cities has been noted and Wa
,rrvillc decided to cast her lot with
them. At any rate the whole matter
has been allowed to stew and, Satur-
day. il boiled over and there was con-
siderable OF com!notion.
WatorviIe has relied somewhat in
iler position on the opinion given by
Hon. W. T. Haines when he was attor-
ney general which was 10 the effect
that Uncle Sam could not collect from
cities who sold a bit OF rum occasion
ally. But whether he can or not, he
does. and Waterville can vouch for it.
It all happened rather quietly. much
more so than in the ordinary seizure.
Collector Wood decided that it was
about time that Waterville settled so
he sent his deputy up from Augusta TO
make the arrangements and take the
cash. But WatervilIe held to her old
position. so about II o'clock in the fore
noon Deputy Dyer walked into the
agency down in the basement OF the
old City hall and took formal and legal
possession in the name of Uncle Sam.
Daniel Libby and Frank y. E,sty We're
called in as official witnesses and Unci~
Sam had an assorted supply of good
liquor on his hands. Deputy Dyer and
city Agent Hayden had some discus
sion over the matter, but the deputy
stood firmly on his authority and Mr..
Hayden had to submit.
Mayor Blaisdcll and City Treasurer
knauft sought out City Solicitor Foster
and talked the matter over Deputy
Dyer meanwhile having charge of the
agency. 1t was finally decided that it
would be about as well to pay as 10
fight and the city capitulated. United
States internal revenue has to be paid
in the coin of the realm. so Deputy
Dyer received 100 silver dollars and 50
copper cents. And there were SOM,
nice pretty new dollars in the lot" said
City Treasurer knauff afterwards.
Deputy Dyer stored them away in Il
grip and some more money with them
for costs and the incident was closed
The agency was turned over again to
City Agent Hayden, who resumed bust
ness as if nothing had happened.
But although Waterville paid she
still has q lingering idea that her po-
siUon in not Iaying was a just one
She has a good deal of confidence in
the legal ability of her son Mr.. Haines,
who has said that Uncle Sam has no
right to collect. Mr.. Haines was out OF
the city, Saturday. SO the benefit of his
advice could not be obtained. In her
present condition Waterville is not in
position for long legal fight, so paid