The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-17
An Open Letter to Somerset Voters
My Reflections on the Sheriff Contest


5 1t Is hardly necessary 70 say that !
t have given some thought to the po-
; litical situation in Somerset county,
: during the past few weeks and e
: peoially TO the contest for the Office
r Of Sheriff, for which | was the nomi-
nee Of the Republican party. The
: matter naturally did not pass from
my mind with the closing Of the polls
and the announcement Of the returns
after election, and the desire to thank
those from whom | received loyal
support as well as TO confirm some
features Of the contest, already quite
generally understood, leads me 10
give publicity to reflections | have
mad since election day.
My thanks for support received
come from a feeling of the deepest
sincerity. There is no failure on my
part 10 comprehend that those VINO
worked for ny election did SO largely
because Of the principles involved
and that they would have been Just
as devoted to any other candidate
who was equally outspoken, but it
was pleasure TO feel that | had the
confidence of the people who thus
united in what they believed was for
the interest of good government, and
l know that these citizens are willing
that | should take pride in their sup
port, 10 some extent, as a personal
courtesy. Had l not felt it necessary
in order to retain my own self respect,
/ owed it to my supporters to make
clean, honest canvass, and the fact
that | did SO and that no man can
question this statement, makes the
unfavorable outcome, so far as | alone
am concerned, a matter to which |
need not devote weighty or long
cherished regrets.
1t often happens in contests of this
kind that comparatively small but
aggressive minority and the influence
} emanating from them will hold the
balance of power, by rallying 10 their
assistance certain element of our
county who are opposed to the sta
tutes concerning the prohibitory law
and the enforcement of same, who
claimed to have reason to fear that in
| the event of my election l should
: limit and perhaps extinguish their
ability to maintain the lucrative bust
ness, that is generally conceded to be
in operation in the county in direct
opposition to the laws of the state.
Fearing my pledge to the people of
enforcement and my reference 10 the
presence of the Sturgis deputies
caused persistent efforts in behalf OF
my opponents, coupled with the fact
that, as seems to be generally under
stood they also was receiving the
support in their canvass of the pres
ent sheriff, who owes his election of
J two years ago not to the county but
the town of Skowhegan.
Again the inconsistent prohibition
party cast their lot with a party who
stands for principles directly opposite
their own; both worked in perfect
harmony to accomplish defeat of Re-
publican principles. These conditions
, were doubtless largely responsible
for the result of the election. In
their anxiety to vote against me
there were many, no doubt, not feel
, ing confident of their ability to cut
thoir fiply4- ~ 10 %
losing their ballot, who were thus
led to cast to a straight Democratic
vote. From the fact that my a3soci-
ates on the ticket, III q sense, suffer
: ed reduced majority of their vote
through me, | have of course some
regret, otherwise | am very sure that
| can gracefully and cheerfully accept
defeat rather than to have extended
to the intemperance element of this
: county any hope that l could not re-
! strain their harmful activities to the
extent of my ability.
The party which honored me with
? its nomination suffered in this sec
tion also through deep seated anita
gonism to the Sturgis commission.
This existed elsewhere in the state
q but, it would seem, not to the extent
: that it was prevalent here. The con-
duct of the Sturgis commission work,
since its entry into this county in my
: opinion, seems to have been directed
: by Mr.. Lang, the Democratic member
= of the commission, with excellent eff
: feet so far as creating antagonism is
! concerned, and the result, as was OBJ
= viously intended, though without just
reason, has reacted to the disadvan-
tage of the Republican party.
= sincerely hope that the Legisla
= ture at the coming session will repeal
the far TANNED Sturgis law with COM
missioners and contingent of deputies,
f, as the law is unpopular with a large
percentage of both parties and the
present election has fully exemplitied
, this assertion, and enact law to be
used in case of necessity, empowering
the Governor and Council upon con-
: viction of any sheriff who does not do
! his duty under his OATH TO remove
: him from office.
: | wish to state that my democratic
opponents have quoted me as making
many statements about my carving
. into effect the so called blue Laws,
should become sheriff of this county.
enforcing every Sunday law and go
ing about the streets previous to cleo
/ ton buying votes. ANY man or men
with "horse sense" should be up TO
higher and loftier aims than attempt
3 ing to injure the reputation of a fell
low citizen to accomplish their own