The independent-reporter., 1910-07-14
PenneIlism Revived

What in the world the Democrats
of the First Congressional District
could have been thinking of to NOM
mate William NJ. Pennell for Con-
gress is beyond the faintest magina
tions of the blindest of common
thinkers on political matters. To be
sure, no one whom the Democrats
might name could stand a ghost of a
show against the Republican nomi-
nee; but, even in the face of this
certainty, it is as great an affront to
the people of Maine as it is to the
Democrats of the First District to put
up as a candidate a man of the stamp
Of Mr.. Pennell.
Who is Pennell? A number of
years ago the people of Cumberland
county elected Mr. Pennell sheriff
with the natural understanding, of
course, that he would see to it that
the laws should be enforced-all laws
then on the statute books of Maine.
Not long after assuming the duties
of his office, Mr.. Pennell undertook
to determine what laws should and
what laws should not be enforced.
The prohibitory law was one which
Sheriff Pennell thought wise not to
enforce, and this despite the very
patent fact that the people of Maine,
who never seemed to be of much
consequence to the heriff,-had pre-
viously decided otherwise. Thus be-
gan the regime of Pennellism,-a
name which in the State of Maine
stands for the worst form of law
lessness conceivable to self govern
ing people. For many months, in
fragrant violation of his oath and the
dictates of the common people, Sher-
if Pennell persisted in his plan.
Liquor was dispensed freely and open
ly in Cumberland county, the Sheriff
laying down certain rules and regula-
tions governing the hours and time
of closing the shops.
What resulted? 1t was necessary
for the Governor of this State to ap-
peal to the Legislature of Maine for
stme piece of legislation that might
put an end to Pennellism. AS a re-
suit of this demand the obnoxious
Sturgis law was passed. Just pre-
vous to it's passage, Sheriff Pennell
stated publicly that if this piece of
legislation were passed he would
make Cumberland county so dry that
the common drinker would die of
thirst, or a sentiment quite as en-
phatic. Some months before, this
same Sheriff Pennell announced thai
the reason why he permitted the open
selling OF liquor was that the en-
forcement of the prohibitory law was
all absolute impossibility. The law
was passed and scarcely had the Gov
ernor's signature been affixed to the
immortal document than Cumberland
county began to run dry.
Which shows? That Sheriff Pen
nell Is the most inconsistent man
that ever held office in Maine. But
above and beyond everything else 1t
shows that Mr.. Pennell is danger
Gus man to elect to any public Of
fee. If he was dangerous then, he Is
dangerous now. If he would exercise
al bitrary power as Sheriff in Maine,
he would be apt to exercise arbitrary
power as a legislator in Washington.
At the most, Maine does not want to
take any chance with him, and our
humble prediction is that he will be
buried so deep under the September
votes that his most ardent friends
can never dig him out. 1t is certain
ly a fate which he has we'll merited
Touching this very question, the fol
lowing despatch from Mayor Gaynor
of New York will make interesting
reading. The last paragraph is 80
true that it ought to be clipped ou9
and sent to the ex-sheriff of Cum
berland simply as a reminder of the
old days:
New York, July 9.-Mayor Gaynor
fatty states that he will not use arbi-
trary power to suppress the exhibi-
ton of the Jefferies-Johnson fight
pictures and repeats that ours is a
government of laws and not Of men,"
In letter Saturday to the Rev. 0. r.
Miller of the International Reform
Bureau, Mayor Gaynor says:
IF it lay in my power to say whe-
ther the pictures should be exhibited.
It would not take me long to decide
it. do not see how 1t can do any
one any good to look at them. But
will you be so good az to remember
that ours IL government Of laws
and not Of men? VIII you please get
that well Into your head? l am not
able to do 40 + like a. mayor. I
must take the Law Just - It u and
nonl rnnrh ~ no1ntn1x oorfnin fhnf 10