Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-05
A Surprise Sprung.

A Surprise Sprung.
1t was 9.25 when the joint conven-
ton re-assembled In the absence of
Secy. Hanson of the Senate, Asst.
Seey. Thurlough acted as secretary of
the joint convention.
1t became evident that something of
a surprising nature was to happen,
when Immediately after the assemb-
ling Of the joint convention Represen-
tative Scates of Westbrook moved
that, owing to recent developments. u
recess of 10 minutes be taken by the
joint convention.
The motion was carried and both
Houses went into session separately.
The object of the recess developed
as the Introduction of resolve for
tho removal of County Attorney Asa
4. Richardson of York county, which
was introduced by Senator Osborn of
Somerset and passed in concurrence.
.hearing upon the charges was or
dered for II A. NJ, Friday. April 5,
and the same rules We're adopted as
in the trial of Sheriff Charles O. En-
cry.
The causes set forth in the resolve
We're the soliciting of money from
Charles T. Read, in consideration of
which County Attorney Richardson is
alleged To have agreed to refrain
from prosecuting violators of the
prohibitory law, the substituting of
blank indictment for one against
William l.. White. for violation Of
the prohibitory law, the giving of false
testimony in the Emery hearing, and
the resorting of methods in procur-
ing evidence in the Emery case, which
were improper and unworthy of an
attorney
When the joint convention re-as-
sembled Attorney Haley asked that
County Attorney Richardson be call
ed to the stand.
Mr.. Richardson, on being recalled,
was asked if he showed to Sheriff
Emery a list of supposed liquor deal
ers in the city of Biddeford. "There
was a list but / don't know whether
| showed it to the sheriff or not
Attorney Haley in opening stated
that it was evidence of the good char
acter of Sheriff Emery that he had
been twice elected sheriff in a county,
where his party was in the minority
by a great many votes. He alluded to
the rumors which had grown up in
relation to the office of sheriff and
county attorney. The lack of prose-
cutions on the part of the county at
torney made the rumselers bold in
violating the law. Sheriff Emery had
special liquor deputies in Biddeford
and Saco, but the county commission
ers held back their per diem for a
time and finally cut it off altogether.
The county commissioners were asked
to restore the per diem, Charles Read
of Biddeford asking the county attor-
ney, as he was of the same political
party as the county commissioners, To
have an interview with them
Attorney Haley claimed that Coun-
ty Attorney Richardson in his CONVEX
sation with Mr.. Read stated that he
Ought to have some compensation
for the abuse that he was getting.
and made solicitations to Mr.. Reed,
that he Ought to get something"
Mr.. Read, it was claimed by the de-
fence, arranged an interview with the
sheriff in regard to the removal of
the per diem of the liquor deputies.
Attorney Haley argued that an en-
tirely different construction was put
by the hearers upon the conversation
on February % at the county attor-
ney's residence. What the county at
torney actually said was Il have
heard that You get as high as $50 a
week for protecting rumsellers?" and
the sheriff replied: Il have heard it
and even heard that | can get more"
Attorney Haley charged that Coun-
ty Attorney Richardson had put up
job" on the old man, lowering his
voice at just the proper time. so that
the listeners in the cellar might only
hear part of what was said. Counsel
claimed that the 500, which was seen
in the hands of the county attorney
on March :, was not passed to him
by the sheriff, but was secured by the
county attorney from another room.
"Mr Richardson's real motive was
TO justify himself" insisted Mr. Haley.
and then went on to state that the
county attorney had only secured n
Jail sentence in one out of 100 cases,
and TO take attention away from his
inability to secure convictions said
that the sheriff had tried TO brihe him.
The following witnesses for the de-
fence We're called and sworn: Sheriff
Charles O. Emery, Lucius SWEET,
Samuel b. Emery, Walter X Emery
Jesse Johnson, Rev. j. j. McGinnis,
George p. Chase, William T. Flint
James Cobb, Myron r. Bennett, viii
+. Cover Charles Briggs, William H.