Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-04-14
RockIand, Me-, Alderman
Got His Share Of Graft.
Jury Returns Verdict After Only
20 Minutes DeIiberaiion.
An Absolute Fran,eup" Holly De-.
clares BIackington..To Stop Graft.


minutes after it had left the Knox
county court room, Saturday after
noon, the jury returned verdict of
guilty against Alderman Fred NJ.
term for alleged blaekmail. This
speedy CONVICTION was the climax Of
a case which has no precedent in thi.,
county and which was marked with
counter charges of graft in the police
department.
The respondent is general con-
tractor, 81 years old, serving his first
term in the city government. Alder
man Norton, chairman of the police
committee, was one of the complain
ants.
Hundreds were unable to gain adj
mittance to the courtroom during the
trial and the crowd inside packed the
enclosure occupied by the bar. One
aged woman sat on the platform, al
most at the judges feet.
The case was heard by a drawn
jury, of which Everett N Hobbs of
Hope was foreman. Rockland jurors
were excluded, and only one man was
challenged.
In his opening for the State, Coun-
ty Attorney Philip Howard told of
Alderman Blackington's ambition To
be member of that board and the
police committee. because, the prose-
cutor declared, he had said many times
that there was deal of graft in con-
nection with the aldermen and police
department, and that he wanted his
share.
Alderman Frank c. Norton, 4
nephew of Ex-Gov. William T. Cobb
and chairman Of the police commit
tee, told of Alderman Blackingtons
alleged threat to start something
unless he received his share of the
police committees graft within ih
hours. This was on March %, after
Alderman Blackington had learned he
was not to be a member of the police
committee,
..He told me that there had been a
great deal of graft the past year ana
that he was going to have something out
of IT." declared Alderman Norton. I
asked him If he meant to insinuate that
l was getting graft and he replied that
he did not know as to that"
Edward ]. Hewett. wholesale bother
testified that Alderman Blackngton
came to his place of business, March &c,
and said: Pm down here after graft.
want my percentage of the business you
do. In other words. | want the money.
If you don't pay me before three days
/ will have you closed
Five employees at Hewetts bottling
al hos riyrU pf 80
conversation between Hewett and Alder
man Blackington through the open tran
som over door. All swore that the
accused had preached the subject of
graft.
IAN absolute frameup,' contended Mer-
rift a. Johnson in opening for the de-
fence. He declared Alderman Backing
ton had been elected on platform to
expose "grafters" and that Alderman
Norton had objected to his interference
with the police department.
zone of my purposes in getting elect
ed" said Alderman Blackington, was to
clean up the rum shops and stop graft
in this city. / believed that the hauling
of rum to Main street saloons must mean
that somebody was taking graft, or il
wouldn't be permitted in a prohibition
city"
'What talk did you make to Alderman
Norton about graft?" asked Mr.. John
son.
II said to him: Surprising I should
ask for $500 graft?' He replied that he
couldn't get it for me without consult
ing the whole police committee. I told
him to get his committee together and do
his duty, or ! should"
Alderman Blackington denied fatty
that he had made any demands upon E.
l.. Hewett.
II went there with no other intent
than to warn a particular friend that
he would get in trouble if he didn't quit
this business" said the respondent
In rebuttal, Alderman Norton denied
he had ever said he would consult the
committee about paying Blackington $500
graft"
The sentence will not be imposed until
the closing day of the term.