Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-03-31
Correspondence.
School Census Discussion.
ELLSWORTH. March q. 1909

IN the LATEST issue OF lHE AMERICAN,
was stated in letter signed by members
Titus and Giles of the school board that
made threat to Rev. Mr.. Killam. now
superintendent of schools, that il was
| not reelected l would 'smake them
squirm''.
say would snake them squirm", but not
for tn, reason the reverend gentleman
gives. The Rev. Mr.. Kiliam very well
knows that used those words on several
occasions, and that each time we were
speaking OF the No. 75S resolve, pend
ing in the State legislature. 1 was deter
mined this thing should not pass, and
said that il they forced the issue, 81 would
make them squirm." And on the last
occasion Mr.. killsm was concerned for
fear the city would not have time to with
draw, and so told me.
Sensible people will see that I held a
powerful club with which, il so disposed,
might, with success, have attempted to
force my reelection. But never asked a
reelection, nor sought personally or
through any one else to have the votes
swing my way Nor is it reasonable to
believe that, being SO disposed, l would
make the disclosures did, and then wait
till the last minute, when the game was
put up and my successor all but elected,
ana make the childish and useless threat
attributed to me. My sense Of right and
justice is too keen to allow me to sell my
self and take as a bride . chance to get
$500 for doing 81 900 worth OF work.
With regard to the statement that said
before the committee at Augusta that 100
to 200 nonresident voters" weDs brought
into Ellsworth every year and allowed 10
vote, which statement would auR people
to believe that Ellsworth allowed Illegal
voting, never 90 contended. In that
connection Mr.. Peters, who was cross-
questioning me, was trying to make me
admit that Ellsworth, having 10 voters,
should have LOO scholars, the two num-
bers often being said to Be about tise same.
contended, and successfully, that such
. coincidence was not probable in town
that has hundreds OF its sons scattered
throughout New England, many Of whom
are induced to come home and vote when
ever there is . sharp contest. / did not
say they voted illegally. Ten years ago
many Of these same men were scholars
here. The force Of my argument will be
apparent wheR it is seen that these men
have left no scholars to take their places
in the census roll.
THE AMERICAN has also said that my at
titude in this census matter was due to
spite at my failure OF reelection, and that
kept silent in the matter till 20 failed.
Mr.. Scott is in error in crediting this
statement to THE AMERICAN. It was con-
tanned in the statement accompanying the
vote of the school board Ut its meeting
March Il, and reported in THE AMERI
CAM l satisfied the committee 1t Au-
gusta, before which appeared, that had
been fighting this second census Ance
September last. On the 10th Of thatmoikh l
published an open letter in the Bangor
Commercial in which made some serious
allegations. This was forced to do ct
very inopportune time-the eve Of the
State election. But did it because report
came to me that for political capital it
was being circulated that caused the city
large loss by an unfair count. And yet
neither of the local papers, nor any paper
so far rs know, ever made any reply to
that letter.
Besides, as soon a. the Ellsworth re-
solve was referred to the committee on
claims. 1 wrote to several prominent leg
islators at Augusta, asking them to inter-
pose objections and stating reasons.
also personally engaged counsel to appear
before that committee and formally object
to the resolves approval All these men
went back on me. Only one representa-
tive wrote me, and that after q long de-
lay, refusing to have anything to do with
the matter.
While l was waiting for results, the
resolve had been approved and passed
the House and Senate, and was waiting
for the governors signature. As soon
as learned that this was the situation,
and that / must act alone, I took the
thing entirely into my own hands and
opened up correspondence with the
governor, the committee on claims, and
the State superintendent Of schools.
A rehearing was ordered before the
committee, at which Mr.. Peters, appear
ing for the city, forced the issue. 1t was
not as to whether Ellsworth should get
the $50, but as to whether | could sub
stantiate my charges of fraud. accepted
the issue. Since then the committee has
placed the resolve on file, a thing which q
very high officia, at Augusta writes me is
one way Of killing it.
The census is the only issue in this case
40 far as am concerned, and any attempt
to inject anything else into it is only
subterfuge and trick to dodge the main
issue. 1t was on the census took my
stand at the start, and it was there /
stayed till l blocked the successful pas
sage of the resolve above mentioned. The
question of my further serving on the
school force of Ellsworth has had no in
fluence on my actions, for am unwilling
m, eerva 10 no mira 10 dsshnpnr