Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-09
Editorial Comment
Where Is the Sheriff?

portland Press.)
In the words of popular song
slightly changed, Has anybody here
seen Moulton?" If we are not mis-
taken, sheriff was elected in this
county last year Yet in all this
carnival of rum and violation of law
of late. the sheriffs Office is scarcely
in evidence. 1t seems to be the scene
of mastery inactivity. Spider webs
cover the doors of the rum ROOM and
the deputies snooze as soundly as the
seven sleepers. 1t is in fact a matter
of record that about a year ago the
Democratic county convention nomi-
mated a candidate for sheriff who was
later elected. AT that convention
some brave talk was made of what
would be done in case the choice of
the party was ratified by the people.
Resolutions were adopted, in which II
was stated that We affirm our be-
lief in the principles set forth in the
Democratic State platform and here
by pledge our candidates to the loyal
support of all the declarations therein
contained" Now one of the declara-
| tions of that State platform was that,
IF entrusted with power" the Demo-
cratic party will enforce the laws by
means of regularly elected officers"
MIR. Moulton is one of the regularly
elected officers, and one of the laws
of the State forbids the sale of in
| toxicating liquors. Is this enforced?
| If il is not enforced-ana it is not,
| unless in a weak, hesitating, spas
medie and partial way-what are We
| to eonclude2
| Il
to that convention by John Clark
Scates Mr. Scates pledged his word
| that if Mr. Moulton was elected there
| would never be any occasion for the
| Sturgis commissioners to visit Port
land er this county. The Sturgis
deputies do not indeed visit Portland,
not because there is no occasion hut
because there are no Sturgis men. The
| Democratic Governor made haste to
suspend them, and the Democratic
\ Legislature made haste to abolish the
commission. They were so eager to
| repeal the hated law that they could
hardly wait to go through the neces-
| sary forms. But Mr.. Scates' statement
| implied that there would be no need
Of sending officials from outside to en-
| force the law, because IL would be en-
| forced efficiently on the inside. Has
| it been? Did not Mr.. Scates pledge
| his word in vain? Has not the state
| platform been contemptuously ignored
| All these questions must be answered
in the affirmative.
| The Revised Statutes of Maine. In
| chapter %, section 60. provides IS fol-
| lows;
Sherffs and their deputies shall
diligently and faithfully inquire into
all violations of law, within their re-
spectiye counties. and institute pro-
ceedings in case of violations or sup
posed violations of law. and particu-
larly the law against the Illegal sale
of Intoxicating liquors. and the keep
ing of drinking houses and tipping
| shops.
Particularly the law against the
sale of liquors and the keeping OF
drinking houses. etc. This is an en-
phatic injunction. but who pays any
attention TO it now? Not the sheriff $
| office surely. The law is to all in-
tents and purposes a dead letter The
platform. having served its purpose 10
catch votes, is thrown into the lumber
room of dead promises. 1t is an fg-
noble situation