Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-02

1
if not, they could get it. He had the
names Of ten men that l wanted to ap-
uear before that committee, and when
found that they would not present
them before that cOn.mittee ! did not
appear before that committee, because
l did rot think it was any use. l be-
lieved that the matter should subside
until the Investigating committee
which controlled, should have a hear
| ing upon this matter. l told the Sena-
tor that I would take this matter UP.
will do il next Friday. and l ask the
Senate to let il remain upon the table
until that time.
| Mr. ALLEN. Mr.. President. l desire
| to state further that brother Staples
and | think he will admit 1t. is mis-
taken when he says he handed me a
| list of ten witnesses, and desired the
chairman Of the committee to summons
them before that committee. He did
not do anything of the kind. This
matter was assigned for Tuesday af-
ternoon of last week. Tuesday morn
| ing while this Senate was in session,
with the paper which l hold in my
hand. containing IL list often Witnesses
he went to the chairman of the special
committee, Senator Curtis of Cumber-
| land,-and he is here to back me up
and told him that he had decided that
he would not appear before the Ju-
dietary committee for certain reasons
| which he stated; and if | am wrong
want Senator Curtis to correct me.
Senator Staples gave him this list. and
asked him to summon these witnesses
before the special committee. Senator
Curtis handed me the list which he re-
Ceived from Senator Staples last Tues
day forenoon. In the interim between
| that time and two o'clock on Tuesday
afternoon, having possession of that
| list, and seeing the first man on the
list, w. r. Hunnewell of Pittsfield. here
| in the State House. | went to him in
regard to the matter; Why! he says
Yes, | have been sent for by Senator
Staples, and have come down here in
regard to this matter. to appear here.
today. before the Committee Il have
Explained to Senator Staples that
knew of nothing connected with this
office that was crooked, or by which
the Commissioner was guilty of any
graft. or anything OF the kind, explain
ing the situation to him. He said Sen
ator Staples told him he could go
home: that he would not need him.
Looking down the list, A. NJ. Cod
brad of Augusta. was another witness.
| saw him sitting in the window of
this chamber during the session, a few
minutes after this list was handed to
me, and l consulted Mr.. Goddard in
regard to the matter: and he said that
he had been consulted by Senator
Staples, and that the only grievance
that he had was something that had
| happened ten years ago i'll this city.
when Il city liquor agent had been do
ling some things which he ought not to
do. which was something entirely be-
lyOnd the control of the Commissioners;
and l asked him if he knew anything
since that time in connection with the
office of State Liquor Commissioner,
that was suspicious or entitled to
criticism, and he said he did not; and
he stated that he had so notified the
Senator from Knox.
| l also saw in the State House c. S.
Whitney. and he cOrrObOrated sub
stantially what Mr.. Hunnewell said.
although he said he had not been sent
for, but learning there was hearing
The came here.
| Now l submit that the Senator has
lad full opportunity to be heard. He
has sent for some witnesses to come
here, and if they told me the truth he
has learned from those witnesses that
there was nothing connected with this
office that was out of the way; and
he dismissed Mr.. Hunnewell, as he
told me; and l submit that he has had
all the opportunity that he needs for
an investigation.
| Mr. STAPLES of Knox: Mr. President.
l dislike to differ from the senator from
York. l gave the senator from Cumber-
land a list, and l gave the senator from
| York at the same time list. 1t is the
first time in my life, and l have prac-
| ticcd law for quite a number of years
that ever knew a juror, who was to sit
upon Il case, to go round to find out what
witnesses are going to testify to. 1t seems
| that the senator from York has acted as
attorney for the State liquor commission
err. Now l DON'T want to discuss this mat
ter of the State liquor commissioner. 1
only want fairness in the matter. l do not
| tnlnk snail at THIS stage Of the pro-
ceedngs. or at any other stage, discuss
THE question after what l have seen of
the manipulations of this matter of the
| liquor commissioner. l do not think /
| shall care to discuss 1t.
| Mr.. THOMPSON of the House: Mr.
President: 1 have been instructed by the
House to ask the Senate to return to the
| House Senate document 49,
The PRESIDENTS: The Senate received
| this message.
Mr.. STAPLES (continuins): Therefore.
Mr.. President, l ask that this TIC as
| signed for final disposition on next Fri
| day.
! The PRESIDENT: Do | understand that
the senator from Knox makes motion
to lay this bill uron the table, and that
a special day be assigned for it?
| MIR. STAPLES: | do, Mr.. President
| The PRESIDENT: The motion of the
senator from Knox takes precedence of
the motion of the senator from York.
| The question being put, upon the mo-