Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-01


ed out to me because have seen them
in license states. II remember correct
~ our York county guide said that he
had not been in Bangor for seven or
eight years. and 1 myself was a compar-
alive stranger In the city. We could buy
anything from single drink to half a
barrel. We found open bars with many
bottles of w'hiskey on the shelves and
several men openly buying and openly
drinking. Our guide bought a drink
while the writer bought a half pint bot
tie of whiskey which was filled from one
of the bottles standing on one of the
shelves. l paid for this forty cents and
now have IL in my possession, labelled
Governor Haines Enforcement Whis-
key. Bought in Bangor. Maine, March
24th. 1914, by E. A Rogers of Bruins
wick
Perhaps this kind of enforcement will
attract the prohibitionists, but to me Ii
mas proved beyond a shadow OF doubt
that the much heralded enforcement pro-
gram under Governor Haines is only an
other repetition of the old Republican
trick to catch votes.
There is no question whatever but
what Bangor Is what is known as wide
open town. and you need not be afraid
to state this too strongly.
The reform of the Republican party
since the Chicago steal seems to have
been backward and downward.
with best wishes for your election"
As to the other point. You say: Mr..
Gardner should know, If he does not.
over a Maine sheriff once he is elected
or appointed. than he has over a Shere-
III in Massachusetts,"
In view of your, assertion that the
Governor initiated the action which
removed the other multiplying sheriffs,
this statement is absurd and ridicu-
ious. We were all led TO believe when
the present sheriffs were appointed
that they We're required to place their
designations in the Governors hand
TO he used at his option in case they
failed to perform their duty. This of
course was the obvious thing to do,
when the Governor took into his own
hands the responsibility of enforcing
the liquor law, by removing Officials
elected by the people and appointing
men of his own selection. Your sug-
gestion Is the first intimation that this
course was not followed. 1 think in
fairness you should definitely state
whether or not the Governor holds
these designations, and if SO, was
any exception made in the case of the
sheriff of Penobseot county?
OF course If this precaution was not
taken and investigation should prove
to the Governor that notification is
still the rule in Penobscot and Knox
counties, should support him in call
ing a special Legislature to the end
that the law be enforced. And in an
swer to your other question along this
line, of course ! believe that the sher-
ifs should be given deputies enough
to clean up any locality where the
law is nullifed.
Any county was a test as showing
sincerity or lack of sincerity in the
whole program. Penobscot was espe-
cially q test because it was generally
believed that the appointment there
was a political appointment and not
an enforcement appointment. Mr..
O'Connell. 1t should be remembered,
was a candidate for another Office, and
il should further be remembered that
he led the fight in the House against
the Governors veto of the Mileage
Book bill.
You say you did consult the Cover
nor about the Bangor situation. l ask
what did he say, not what is your
opinion of his intentions. / am inform
ed by reliable men that prominent cit
liens and leading Republicans have
called mis- attention to the Bangor Sit
uation, urging him to take action.
The Governor not long ago made
public some very forceful remarks
about the policy Of ..Watchful Wait
ing in Mexico" The Big Stick in Ban
gor would produce results.
Very truly,
HALBERT p. GARDNER.
Portland Me-, April sc, 1914.