Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-05
Editorial Comment
A Chapter of Facts.

Civic League Record1
The administration of public affairs by
public officials is a matter for the cour-
teous and fair criticism OF every citizen.
Governor Plaisted has declared his
legislature not to secure the enforce
ment of nullihed laws or to secure pro-
visions that will aid in the enforcement
of law, but to secure the repeal of laws
that are offensive to the voters in our
cities chiefly because these laws have
been unenforced, and because lawless
members of the community and their
sympathizers desire legal sanction for
their lawleSSnesS.
During the campaign. Candidate
Plaisted spoke at Fort Fairfield and
I'resque Isle in Aroostook county. Both
of these centers strongly favor prohibit
ton and earnestly desire its enforcement.
When speaking there Mr.. Plaisted de
clared that If elected the prohibitory law
of Maine should be impartialy and
faithfully enforced and that he would
give his personal attention to the en-
fofeement of the liquor laws. This was
definite, specific and unqualified prom
Use of enforcement This was in exact
harmony with the platform promise OF
hissparty.
In April last the WatervilIe Sentinel
editorially called attention to the open
nullltication of the liquor laws in num-
Nearly Il year of Governor Plaisted :
term of office has expired; yet, so far as
the public knows, neither by word of
mouth nor by the exercise of authority
has Governor Plaisted made any attempt
TO secure the enforcement of law in these
multiplying centers. or to keep the prom
Use he repeatedly made in his speeches
throughout Maine.
As sheriff of l\ennebec county. Mr.
Platsted made no attempt to enforce the
ignored the violation of the liquor
laws in that city He also ignored
the violation of the gambling laws
Open gambling was conducted in
the pool rooms in his city to such an ex-
tent during his mayoralty that it became
the talk of the city. Minors and others
gambled openly in the pool and billiard
openly from hand To hand, No attention
was paid to this condition by the mayor
or police. Appeal was made by augusta
people to the civic League Evidence OF
gambling among minors and others in
these places was readily and easily Sc
cured. and prosecutions were instituted
Governor PlaiSted took no notice of the
open and disgraceful gambling conducted
with the knowledge and authority of the
municipal officers of his city at the
Hanks fair. The kennebec Journal and
the Lewiston journal called attention To
the shameful condition and the latter
paper published pictures showing the po-
gambling devices watching their opera
tions. Coy. Plaisted himself was a guest
at this fair and in going to the grand
stand passed through the midway where
is probable that these violations of law
was stopped while he was passing from
the gate TO tn6 SfAlQ stand, nut unless
lie were deaf and blind, knowledge Of the
lawlesS conditions at that fair must have
been in his possession.
The grossest forms of notification of
the liquor law now openly prevail in AT
least seven of our counties and vet the
governor who as candidate promised
that he would give his personal attention
to the enforcement of the liquor laws
has done nothing except give his infiu-
ence to the repeal of constitutional pro
hibition, and when repeal failed he then
declared his purpose to call n special
session of the Legislature that another
attempt might be made 10 secure by iu-
direction, the repeal of constitutional
pfohiuition.
Finally. in the exercise of his pardon
ing power Governor PlaiSted has recent
~ set the seal of his approval upon the
Illegal liquor traffic in Maine, and pro-
claimed his disapproval of the honest en-
Goliath, persistent liquor seller in
Somerset county one of the worst ana
most defiant liquor sellers in the state
was arrested and found guilty. He
promised To 80 out of the business, and
was fined Goliath broke his promise,
continued TO SELL was caught, and after
carefully considering his case in all its
bearings, Justice Cornish sentenced Col
bath 10 Jail.
On the petition of Penobscot county
liquor sympathizers, in utter disregard of
the protest of Somerset county sheriff
and county attorney and in open disre-
gard of the judicial fairness of Justice
Cornish, the governor pardoned Goliath
and sent him home encouraged to return
10 the violation of our liquor laws.