Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-21
THE GOVERNORS OWN BILL.

For the purpose of putting more
teeth in the prohibitory liquor law,
Hon. James S. Wright of South Paris.
a member of the Executive Council
from the first district. appeared before
the committee on judiciary, Thursday
evening, in favor of an amendment to
the Public Laws of 1895 relating to
non feasance by sheriffs, deputy sher-
ifs and county attorneys. The amend
ment would make it the duty of the
attorney general to take charge of all
Investigations before the grand jury
where sheriff, deputy sheriff or
county attorney negIeets or refuses to
enforce the law. The bill has the
backing of Governor Haines and was
introduced in the House by Represen-
tatiVe Ernest e. Bowler of Bethel.
When the bill was called up for
reading Mr.. Bowler said that he did
not know much about it, only that it
was handed To him by the Governor
with the request that he present it.
Mr.. Wright said that the bin ongh.
to be enacted into law: that il made
but little change from the present
Statute but was more specific. A fea-
tare to the so-called Sturgis law
whereby prosecuting officer was ar
pointed to take the place Of the coun-
~ attorney up in Somerset county
was declared unconstitutional, a few
years ago, but he thought that this
proposed law would pass the test as
to its legality.
something ought to be done" said
Mr. Wright. to have a county at
torney who does not enforce the law,
removed. The county attorney and the
sheriff up in my county of Oxford al
ways enforce the law, but am sorry
To say that there are some county at
torneys in the State who do NOT do
so. The Cakes law which passed
lew years ago does not say who will
prosecute the county attorney or the
sheri1 and | do not believe that the
county attorney would prosecute him
self, and do not think that the coun-
tN attorney would prosecute the sher
if if he We're derelict in his duty.
/ do not appear here for the Gov
ernor, continued Mr.. Wright, but for
myself personally and for the en-
forcement of the prohihitory liquor
law in this State. But I understand
that the Executive is in favor of the
enforcement of all laws including the
Pfohibitory law, and the Legislature
ought to give the Governor all the law
he wants. Under this proposed law
the attorney general would feel it his
duty to enforce the liquor law.
II this bill passes would there he
any more enforcement" quered Judge
smith of the committee
don't know there ought To he
replied Judge Wright L can cite
many instances Of county ATTORNEYS
VINO do not enforce the law. could
cal their names but | don't propose
to do So"
representative Bowler said that the
Governor had told him that he had
asked the attorney general to act in
specific case but the attorney eener.
al mad told the Governor that he want
ed more definite authority. The ar
torney general had examined the hill
me committee then considered the
blli in executive session.
FOR Assistant Adjutant General.
former Attorney General w. G
ffilbrook appeared before the judiciary
committee. Thursday evening, in be-
hai or the act TO re-estabIish the
once OF assistant attorney general.
lie outlined for the committee the
work that had been done by Charles
T. Barnes who was his assistant in
the office He stated that Mr. Barnes
had collected over S92 400 in inheritanca
taxes for the State that could not
nave been secured without hard, per.
slstent work. He had also collected
S49'iS2 franchise tax assessed in 1908
ana $3",o60 in 1909. Mr.. Phibrook de-
elafed that Hon. w r. Pattangall.
VINO was attorney general for the
past two years, was very much over