Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-29
Clarke Replies to Wilson.

which you editorially endorsed in your
paper CT August 2Sth, and introduced
with the heavy type of Offers the
facts and asks the judgment of the
people,
1t may be that the illusions in that
letter about amateur politicians of
smaller calibre" and of an attack made
on Sheriff Colby Getchell by one of
the type referred to, whose thirst for
public office has led him into the adop-
ton OF the same tactics employed by
some of the professional politicians of
larger calibre. yet probably no less
scrupulous," and the further allusion
that the voters will condemn such no.
litcai trickery as has been resorted
to, through the circulation of base in
situations by an incompetent office
I seeker, who In his impotence has en-
deaVored to biacken the official record
Oh man who has proved his right
10 the support of all good citizens who
oeileve In the enforcement of law. the
moral upiift of our citizens, and in
maintaining the right" may not have
referred to me personally, but, as
nave been somewhat active in my can
Vass In this county for the office of
sheriff. to which | was nominated by
the progressive Party, and have had
occasion to criticize Mr. Getchelrs Of
hcial record, IAassume that that actiy-
lty and my candidacy was the cause of
this letter
do not know wilbert s. Wilson or
why he shouldsrush into print in de-
Tense of Mr. GetchelPs official work
when Mr.. Getchen is able to sneal<
Tor himself. Indeed, after one of nv
first speeches In which I declared that
the present conduct of the sberiff,s
offfce in Kennebec county indicat ed
regulation" of the liquor traffic ratb-
er than enforcement" Mr.. GetcbelI
and one of his deputies, Mr.. Potter
OF Gardiner, felt competent to ca1l IN
me ana discuss and deny the assertion
ana 1 then told Mr.. Getchell thar ~
he oesireo TO discuss that Issue in
Inc newspapers or on the platform.
sHouio De pleased to answer him He
mas never seen fit to do so. Possibly
ne mas made Mr.. Wilson his sponsor
II So wish to say that 1 am willing
70 oiscuss my position in print or on
tne platform with Mr.. Wilson.
hr. Wilson seeks to prove ENFORCE
ment by the county records. which
snow the number committed fnr
drunkenness under Sheriff Ricbardso,,
ana under Sheriff Getchell. and furtb-
er TO prove enforcement by the Nun
DER OF gallons of Intoxicating lio,,ors
ee,Nea oy Mr.. Getchell during his adj
ministration, or 5000 gallons.
No doubt these records of commit
ment for drunkenness are some indi-
cation Of the liberty or license of sale
OF intoxicating liquors. No doubt
that there was greater freedom under
Sheriff Richardson than under Sheriff
Getchell, but it was different in degree
only-not in kind-and to my mind IT
indicates regulation and not EN-
forcement."
nave openly stated that during the
ofhclal administration of both sheriffs
the records of the Internal Reye-
nue. Department at Portsmouth show
that In Kennebec County there were
more than 100 persons who held in
ternal revenue stamps as retail liquor
dealers or retail malt liquor dealers. 1
find that was incorrect in this state
ment. Yesterday I received a full list
OF the names Of those individuals who
ardson and Sheriff Getchell hello office.
and now say that under Sheriff Rich
ardson there were more than IT'S of
these individuals who were licensed to
sell Intoxicating liquors, and under
Sheriff Getchell there were more than
$50. The statutes make it possible to
indict every one of these individuals
upon the evidence alone of holding
this tax. There are three criminal
terms OF the Superior Court a year
In kennebec County. How many of
these taxes did Sheriff Getchell pre-
sent to the Grand Jury as evidence
against the holders? He could have
procured at least three hundred in
dictments each year ne has been In
office on this evidence alone. How
many indictments did he procure? Not
over ~ in any year.
l have also stated that 1t was public
knowledge that in all Of the cities of
our county, and in some of the larger
towns, that liquors were being sold
IN these Places in various saloons.
drug stores or hotels. Had Mr.. Getch-
ell been, as Mr.. Wilson claims, both
honest and vigilant," and inclined to
ENFORCE the law on his own "initia-
Iive, wouldn't it have been possible
Tor him to have procured evidence
against these places so well known as
to their illegal traffic? How?
]. By the simplest method possible,
and one frequently used in the en-
foncement Of the law, namely, by TAX
ing the names Of those men who fire.
quent these saloons and having the
individuals summonsed as witnesses
before the Grand Jury.
2 RX I1fiIizinn tho raoxuorS Of tho