The Somerset reporter., 1902-09-04
Covers Enforcement.
Letters from Rev. 5. f. Leech and MT
w. II. Paine.

In recent number of the REPORTER
notice communication from Geo. w.
Cover, county attorney of Somerset
county, In which he intimates that have
made false statements in relation to his
actions as a county official.
want to say first of all that if l had
misrepresented him would be glad to
have any Measurements corrected and
make amends. But | have made no
statement that is not strictly true and
can be readily proven. | have been very
cautious in making statements and VIII
De glad to prove them all. But MI.
Cover In his communication begs the
question and tries to turn the subject TO
something else than what is TO the point.
want to thank him for the plain way
IN which he has indicated his position on
| the question of enforcement.
He points with evident pride to the
fact that he has collected more in fines
as revenue to the county treasury than
his predecessors, and thus gives us to
understand that his idea Of enforcement
| is for revenue only. That he has ever
driven a single liquor dealer out OF the
has ever desired to do so. In fact | am
told by several members of the grand
| Jury that be told them In the jury room
J that he thought 1t much better to col
| leet a good revenue for the county than
TO drive them to resort to pocket ped
ding aud other like methods. And a
prominent republican of Skowhegan who
does not wish his name published but
| n Ia or
Mr. Cover said to him that he "had no
sympathy with the people Of Madison
who were trying TO enforce the prohibit
tory law And by the way, the same
tnan said that he heard Deputy Harding
say that he could close Billy Howard up
if he chose, but he did not think it best.
Ia conversation with two members OF
the grand Jury | was told that Mr..
Cover instructed the grand jury to
bring only one indictment against each
liquor dealer and that for simple "nui.
sance,o and that he was offended when
at the March term they brought in in-
dictments for sseommon seller" and "tip-
ping shop Also that on one occasion
| he brought the court records into the
Jury room and discussed the matter Of
how much each could stand for fine
and later he stated to the jury that they
had brought more indictments than he
had intended. All of which corroborates
| his own testimony In the recent CON-
munication that he only enforces for
re venues or, practically enacts his own
license law In defiance of the statutes Of
the State.
Mr.. Cover says that he has only uol-
pressed four cases, but states that he
| 81 hn Grof Of hQnQnlp
found 1t on the docket when he assumed
lawyer or the Judge himself IL that would
be considered good ground for sim lar
action In a case of theft, robbery or
murder. Why should one law breaker
be dealt with so leniently while the
others are pushed to the wall?
Now Ia relation to Mr.. Towards case
mentioned by Mr.. Cover. The previous
statements of Mr.. Cover and his pre-
decessors In office and at least two
Judges who have presided at the court
all agree that the Judge gives in all
| liquor cases just what the county at
ttrney asks for and the same statement
was published Immediately after the oc.
currence and was not refuted.
Now In relation to refusing and not
mittee of the Madison Civic League paid
u detective to visit Madison for three
days and secure evidence against the
three principal rumsellers, which he did,
purchasing liquors, which he deliver d
TO the committee and drinking on the
premises alone and with others. This
evidence, which was sufficient to secure
four indictments against each offender
WAS carried to Mr.. Cover by four prom
inent citizens with the demand that he
bring 1t before the grand jury at the
September term, 1901.
He stated to these men that he did not
need, or want it, and that he chad all
| the evidence he wanted" but he finally
took" It, This evidence he never pre-.
scented to the grand jury, but instead
told them he had no liquor cases to come
before them at that term, as he could
not get access to the list of L. S. tax
payers at Portsmouth; which was a
strange statement as the attorney OF
Kennebec county secured indictments
at the same time against all kennebec
county offenders on the evidence Of the
tax list But our evidence, both material
and verbal was never brought to the
attention of the grand jury.
These facts, all Of which | stand ready
to prove, combine to show not only that
Mr.. Cover has neglected to do his duty
according to his official oath but has
shown himself the enemy of real enforce
ment.
Yours truly,
5. +. Leech, Madison, Me.