Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-09-04

Skowhegan. Me, Sept 3.-fSpeciall.
If there is a corner of Maine that
Is indignant over scurvy political
trick, it is Somerset county. OF
course this county has not expected
honorable methods in the campaign
or anywise clean politics on the part
of men who are standing side by side
in period of brazen opposition To
law and deeency But the voters up
here were not prepared for the sud-
den assault upon Sheriff John A.
Mooers cHonest John") which has
been made. apparently by those
higher up" in the councils of the
party Team"
Skowhegan is aware and so are the
people of most sections of the county,
that threats have been made to
down" Sheriff Mooers, because he re-
fused to obey the commands of DEM
ocratic dictators to violate his oath
and allow protected and assessed null
lfication of the law.
Giving the lie direct, every day of
his service, to the craven declarations
of "The Team" that the prohibitory
law cannot be enforced, Sheriff Moo
ers, who has always been Democrat,
is most cord ally hated and feared by
the Democratic leaders. They have
not only spurned him as a candidate
for reelection but have, obviously. de-
termined to defeat him by fair means
or foul. and to stain his reputation #
possible.
.Aia u.
ward-heeler scheme to diseredit Mr..
Mooers in Somerset county, overshot
the mark or threw a boomerang. for
it has reacted in favor of Sheriff
Mooers. He has been able. not only
to show to the people that trick
had been played, manifestly under the
direction of leading Democrats of the
state but that its purpose had been
TO overthrow the man who STANDS TOT
the law. and install tool of ihe
Team" if possible.
Sheriff Mooers is able to show con-
clusively that his deputy, who resign
ed. was scared by anonymous letters
and driven out of the service by
concerted demand on the part OF par
tv leaders and officials. He Is able TO
make pretty plain to the people OF
Somerset county that the SHY claim
ON the part of the resigning deputy
that the sporting of rumseiiers was
distasteful to him. was trumped-ap
excuse by those who wished to ROB the
sheriff of n valuable assistant.
II is plain to the public that GER
tain Democratic gentlemen hi9h up'
rushed to the defence of their allies
in the rum traffic and succeeded IN
cuttne off one official who was a'd'ns
in enforcing the law.
The frame-up bill against the couh-
~ which was presented in a manner
wholly unusual and like most per
far,oanres of the present Democratic
,aaaars without regard for the law,
vas scattered broadcast in the form
~ circular. The voters were ad-
dressed and asked if they understood
that they were buying rum and pay
ing good county money Tor IL Nho'
through the approved methods of the
booze promoters).
IT Is also made plain to the peo-
nile bv Mr.. Mooers that even thoush
the Burke bill were correct IN price
per diem and in items, the amount VI
fines coming to the county as re-
suit of the evidence" purchased pS
Mr.. Burke while sporting" are sew
eral times the expense.
The blast fired by Democratic Lead
ers through the Pattangatl- DAVIS
State graft organ was we'll calculates
to stampede the Somerset voters on
the eve of election by the usual meth
DDS of dishonesty and deceit. 1t was
intended to kill two birds with one
stone--stop a man who was fou''"s
rum sellers and discredit IN the eyes
of his friends the strongest opPonen.
of Pattangsll Plaistedism' was
intended to alarm the voters win 'ne
fear that other bills were likey 10
come up and bankrupt the county oar
ina a regime Of economy.
But the crooked stick came oaeN
and thumped the pates OF those wno