Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-25
STATE HOUSE.
az Is.
Important Meeting Of the
Governor and Council.
Charles Moore Pardoned After Serving
IS Of 25-Years Sentence.
Washburn Pardon Petition Fails
GetcheIl and Others Go Over.

At the meeting of the Governor and
Council, yesterday, Henry Washburh
of Bingham, now in Jail on a conviction
for rumselling, was given leave to With
draw his petition for pardon.
The committee on revision of statutes
was given a hearing, and made report
showing that the amount of work had
necessitated the expenditure when
they asked of the Governor and Coun-
ell. The hearing consumed most OF the
evening session, SO that the cara
Emma Getchell case was carried over
to the next meeting, at P. NJ, Dec. 10.
The report of the committee will also
De considered further at that time.
John Miller, Jr, of Calais, a convicted
'umseller, was granted hearing at the
leXt meeting.
Charles Moore was granted a pardon.
Moore was sentenced, IL years ago, to
| term of 20 years in prison on three
Indictments, one for breaking and en-
fering and two for assault with intent
% kill, in Portland, and has been in
prison since that time
The meeting was called to order
1T 4.20 p. M, all the members of the
Council being present Routine bust
ness was taken up first and occupied
some three-quarters of an hour. One
Of the most important orders passed
was that advising the Governor to
1raW his warrant on the treasurer for
1000 copies of the history of the Aroos-
toOk War. Two orders abating and re-
hitting IS per cent. of the taxes on
railroads under the provisions of the
acts Incorporating them We're passed,
one for the Bangor & AroostOok and
one for the Washington County.
At the conclusion of the routine bus
mess, Councilman Haines introduced
the petition of John Miller, Jr., rum
seller, of Calais, which was assigned a
hearing at the next meeting. Council
man Eaines then moved that the case
Of Henry Washburn, rumseller, of
Bingham, be taken from the table.
Hon. s. w. Gould of Skowhegan,
opened the hearing for the petitioner.
He stated that he appeared in behalf
of 600 voters of Somerset county, the
best citizens, the largest taxpayers, the
most thoughtful and intelligent. He
had received, yesterday morning, a pc
tItion from DR.. Green of Scion, signed by
200 of the towns $50 voters. He also
had petition from the citizens of
Bingham. He then outlined the his
tory of the case. Mr.. Washburn, with
a number of others. had been indicted u
year ago for rumselling Most of them
had been defended by Senator Goodwin,
who had entered upon the docket that
his clients would go out of the liquor
business. This fall, Washburn was in
dicted again, was defended by Mr.
Gould; was advised to plead guilty, and
promised for the first time to go out of
business. The court, however, called up
the old entry and sentenced according
iy. 1t was evident that he did not I'M
derstand that the entry had been made,
hence his action. Washburn was an
exemplary and prominent citizen, and
the court had stated that had this old
entry not have been made, Washburn
would not have been imprisoned. Mr.
Gould appeared in behalf of Wash
burn, asking for clemency on the
ground that Washburn had not violated
the agreement on the docket knowing
"
VIA DtIiiS NucStIoiictl, MI. Stdl-
ed that Washburn did not know of the
old entry. The court did not know of
Washburn's ignorance of the entry I'M
til after he had been sentenced, and it
was then reluctant to make change.
Mr.. Gould stated that he had purpose
ly waited until Washburn has been i'm
rrisoned two months before asking for
a pardon. He felt that the end of the
law was to make men law abiding and
he felt that the ends of the law had now
been satisfied and justice now called
for a release.
Councilman Haines now asked to see
some of the petitions and be shown
the names of the temperance and Civic
League signers. and Mr. Gould read as
many as he could identify, not knowing
the parties all personally. Councilman
Haines further asked if Mr.. Gould had
consulted the county attorney about the
matter. Mr.. Gould replied that at the
time of the trial the county attorney
had advised renting the Jail sentence.
Mr. Haines inquired how it happened
| that Washburn did not know of the
old entry on the docket Mr.. Gould
thought it was because Washburn had
left everything to the attorney and that
he was now authorized by Washburn
to state that should pardon be grant
ed Washburn would never sell liquor
again.
Amos X. Butler, Esq, of Skowhegan,
now appeared not, he said, against Mr..
Washburn or his petitioners. The feel
ing was general. however, that the Gov
ernor and Council would not interfere
in the sentence of the court. He ap-
peared simply to represent the senti-
ment Of the people in favor of the Pro-
hibitory law. 1t had for years been
singled out as the one law to be safely
violated. He then showed that Wash
burn had for years been a persistent
violater of the law, and read from
court records indictments against him.
one or two for almost every term of
court since 1894, with fines aggregating
hundreds of dollars. In answer to the
statement that Washburn might have
filed demurrer at the time he was sem
fenced. Mr.. Butler said that it could not
possibly have been sustained If filed.
He stated that at September term,
1902, Washburn attempted to file de-
murrer, but it was overruled in the