Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-09-01
Put Up or Shut Up.

Editor Kennebec Journal:
| have read in your issue OF August
| 10Th letter from Mr.. Clark, candidate
| for Sheriff on the Progressive ticket,
! In answer to my letter defending Sher-
| if Getchell under date of the 2Sth and
as MIR. Clark fails to inform us where
in Mr. Getchell is derelict In his duty,
Notwithstanding his contention to the
contrary perhaps reply is unneces-
sary, yet feeling that silence on my
| part might be misconstrued by those
interested, I will ask space in your
| columns for this letter in which l shall
explain some things which are COM
mon knowledge to any man who has
familiarized himself with the condi-
tons and the Statutes governing the
same Mr.. Clark appears quite con-
cerned that / should come to the de-
Tense of Sheriff Getchell. l regard it
the duty of any citizen to defend both
privately and publicly any official who
is assailed by an array of misleading
statements.
Mr. Clark speaks of the number of
Internal Revenue Stamps held in Ken
nebec county, further stating that
the Statutes make it possible to indict
every individual possessing one of
these stamps, thus making it appear
to the average man. that The failure of
an indictment being returned is suf-
fcient proof that the Sheriff had not
performed his duty. Mr.. Clark well
knows, or ought to know that the
greater number of these licenses are
held by druggists and grocers who in
order to sell certain proprietary medi-
cines such as malt extract etc, are
compelled by law to carry the 1. r.
stamp.
Does Mr.. Clark wish to convey the
impression that every grocer and
druggist IN Kennebec county holding
an l. II. stamp should be brought be-
fore the Grand Jury for indictment,
even though his reputation is gilt
edged and no suspicion of wrong do
ing can be attached to the person
holding such license?
Investigation reveals the fact that
at the last term of court there were
held in Kennebec county just % L. S.
retail liquor taxes. Every man hold
ing one of these taxes was under sur
veillance of Sheriff Getchell. and when
the Grand Jury sat the names of each
individual holding one of these Ii
censes, together with any evidence
against them WAS furnished the county
attorney by the sheriff who in turn
presented the same to the Grand Jury
which alone has the right to return in
dictments Neither the county attor-
ney nor sheriff can indict anyone.
Either Mr.. Clark speaks through ig
norance or the. willful intention of
misleading. If the former be true he
could not hope for support by reason
of his failure to acquaint himself with
the facts before making an attack up
on an official, for his carelessness in
public utterances, would quite likely
characterize his official acts should
he ever be elected to any office. If on
the other hand, Mr. Clark knew differ
ent than his words would imply, he
forfeits all claim for our endorsement.
Mr.. Clark speaks of saloons. Where,
Mr. Clark, are these saloons referred
to? Have you ever presented evidence
to Mr. Getchell of their existence? Are
you as a citizen ready and willing to
do your part to prove your pretension
that you wish to see the law we'll en-
forced? No man has a right to criti-
CHE a condition which he will not en-
deavor to remedy. The strongest proof
of a mans sincerity is self denial,
which may even mean in the interests
of high standard of moral conditions
denying oneself of indulging in abuse
Of another when an unjust abuse
might appear to enhance the interests
of the man making the attack
The dwindling away of the Progress
sive party to the small fragment which
now remains is due to the fact that
the Republican platform is as progress
sive as any platform that has ever
been written, consequently the return
of that great army who temporarily
left to join the dissatisfied faction, but
have since become convinced that the
greatest good can be accomplished by