Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-15

As had been anticipated by many
there was an interesting hearing on the
numerous petitions from prominent cit
liens of Cumberland county praying
for. IL special committee to investigate
the violation of the Drohibitory law
in Cumberland county.
Hiram Knowlton. Esq. of Portland.
who appeared in behalf of the petition
ers claimed the attention of the COM
mittee for over an hour. Possessed of
an abnormal amount of wit ana
shrewdneSs Mr. KnowltOn never failed
to take advantage Of an opportunity to
turn the noint on his fellow attorneys
on the cimmittee.
Mr.. Knowlton claimed that Sheriff
Pcnncll Of Cumberland county was not
attending to his duties as prescribed
by law That he was not enforcing the
prohibtorv law and that he was dis
eliminating in favor OF certain lipuo.
Gcalc,s of Portland. Mr.. KnoWlton.
when questioned by the committee,
said that he had no evidence with him
to prove the truth of these claims. but
said that such proof could be fur
uiahcd u committee appointed to inNes-
tisatr this matter. by Il number of cit
izcrs Of Portland.
Mr. Enowlton said that the petition
ers claimed that Sheriff Pencil was
permitting certain saloons to run ANA
that others were HOW running with his
knowledge ANA consent. The sneak
a. 1tatrd tlHt once Mr.. Pcnnell in ms
presence had said that he considered
his s.l:tr which is in vogue in Portland
ami i'm other cities in the county bet
ter than the law prescribed by the stat
uieS If the state of Maine.
'IIcrc Is i. man" said Mr. knoWlton.
"who considers himself wiser than the
law; wiser than you. gentlemen.
Mir i\novlton WAS then questioned if
10 knew Of Sheriff Pencil ever refuS-
ing to conduct II search and seizure af-
ter Il warrant had been placed in ms
hands. Mr.. Knowltom cNaded this
question by saying that places had
been pointed out To the sheriff and that
lis attention had been called by many
citizens of Portland Ia various dives
ana saloons hut that he has refused
to take amy action in the matter. When
lined down to the point the gentleman
woS forced to admit that he never
know at the sheriff falling To take ac-
ton against saloon keepers or Other
persons conducting unlawful places ~
Portland after a warrant had beef
placed in his hands.
MIR. kuowlton said that in his min'
sheriff Pencil was showing no mrli.
nation To enforce the law III the STRIFE
sense of the word. The situation hdt
grown 50 bud that the people ot cum
hcrIand county had now come ~ tbs
LEGISLATURE asking tor an investigation
I'VE have got an uufdithiul sheriff AM
more th,n onr-halt 80 the neople ~
Cumberland county know il" contin
ucd Mr.. kunwlt"n.
"Why don't the people Of PORTLAND
see that tho IaW is enforced. aske'
one II the committee.
Because il is the duty 81 the sherii
Ia enforce the law as prescribed b.
statute and il is not their duty 70 d'
what the sheriff is supposed 10 do.
'Why don't YOU DO Il >"
1T is not within my province to 81
It, have little business to atten'
to" returned Mr.. knowlton.
els there no other way" asked Sen
alter Tartre of the committee. than b.
n committee such as you ask
81 think this is the proper way"
81 suppose Your great aim is Ia hay
the law enforced" put i'm Senator Sta
pies.
Eyes. sir, 1t ts.'