Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-29
Portland Hears News.

Portland, Me. Oct 28-The selection
of King F. Graham of Westbrook as
sheriff of this county as successor 10
the late Sheriff Everett G. Senlly midi
Gates an intention on the part OF Gov
efnor Haines to have a continuance
of strict enforcement of the liquor laws
here. Mr.. Graham was a deputy sher-
III under appointment from Nj. Soul
~ and had what was called 4 rowing
commission. no restrictions being plae-
ed on his field OF operation within the
county. 1t is sufficient to say here that
he was a terror to rum sellers and was
both feared and respected by them.
Mr. Graham was the candidate for
sheriff on the Prohibition ticket in 1916
and again in 1912 on the same ticket
He was not candidate for an APP
pointment for deputy sheriff when MIR
Scully assumed the office, last April
aud his selection was due solely to ms
exceptional fitness for work suppress
ing the liquor traffic. Mr.. Graham de-
voted emily a portion of his time to Duf-
suit eff liquor sellers and in searching
FIR hidden liquor.sbut he seldom made
a RAID that he did not find the goods
and usually his searches and seizures
were so thorough that n second visit
was not invited.
Mr.. Graham has been an active Pro-
hibitionist in Westbrook for years. and
has ce-opefated TO some extent In the
campaigns that have been made by that
party since notification became so noto-
;,, .it l.
cal administrations. His determination
to wreste with this problem through the
agency of the Prohibition party. his en-
ergy and enthusiasm were so contagious
that he has made the strongest candidate
undoubtedly for that party to present
as its candidate for sheriff in the las,
two campaigns. The vote which was
east for him in both elections represent.
ed far in excess the strength of the Pro.
hibition party in the county and was q
protest on the part Of conscientious cit
liens of all parties against the disgrace
ful conditions which We're being toler.
ated in Portland and several other places
III The county.
The campaign of 1910 on the part of the
Prohibitionsts was waged without organ,
iZation of an effective nature and prae.
ticaily without funds. Sheriff NJ w Tire,
fethen of South Portland was candidate
for reelection on the Republican ticke
and Lewis w. Moulton of Standish wa:
the Democratic candidate, the latter be,
ing elected. Mr. Graham received 202'
votes and of this number 694 were cast
in Portland and 1853 in Westbrook. lie
drew large vote in Freeport, Gorham
Yarmouth and Windham. but the lacl
of organization and the further handicap
as regards literature and speakers ex
plains why he did not receive n Iargel
vote.
lie was a candidate in 1912 under fai
more auspicies having the same oppon
ents as in 1910 and he more than doubled
his vote, receiving 4iI6. carried the towf
of F'reeport where he received 200 votes
and polled in Portland the significant to
tai OF 1887
Westbrook gave him $50 and MouItor
IA; each had 2l3 in the town of Gorham
South Portland gave him 2i2 while bis
votes were cast in Standish, Windham
Yarmouth, Bridgton. Brunswick ant
Gray. In fact there was not a town II
tnt county thdt ulu NOT respond to tht
straight forward appeal of the honest
brickmason Of Westbrook who spok,
from the platform in plain but convinc
ing manner and made promises voIunta
rly to enforce all laws energeticalIy and
impartially. Nobody who heard hin
speak questioned his sincerity. The,
knew he meant what he said.
A large and competenf committees ha,
died the campaign and il must be admit,
ted that excellent results were secured
There were few so optimistic as to Iool
for Mr.. Grahams election, but the Wig.
orous protest of 1910 swelled to that ex.
tent two years later that it ought te
have served as a warning that nuliiica.
ton must cease as a fixed policy in The
sherins Office in this county. Those