Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-01
Friday, May 1, 1914
o, "Busy" Mr.. Gardner!

buoy TO answer our questions, but
NOT too busy to ask us few others.
We hope 10 accommodltt lin. We do
so In the kindliest spirit, for We have
nothing else to do. 1t gives us oppor-
tunity to reiterate our convictions on
leading public questions, and the ease
with which we get Mr.. Gardner s
goat amuses and entertains our
rea jers. 1t requires no other process
to prove to the people of Maine that
Mr.. Gardner is lodging the issue.
Read his letter in the Kennebec Jour-
nal today and see If you can dlseov-
er his replies TO the questions which
We asked him on Wednesday morning.
To state the matter simply and
somewhat bluntly, Mr. Gardner was
misleading the people of Maine,
wherever he spoke, in private and pup
lie. as to Governor Haines' sincerity IN
enforcing the liquor laws Of the State.
If his (Mr Gardner's) purpose had
not been unfair. why did he initiate the
Lewiston Journals hackneyed abuse
of the Governors position?
We are now asking the fair-minded
people OF Maine. not Mr.. Gardner: II
Mr.. Gardner had been fair in reference
TO Governor Haines' purpose why did
ne not refer as often TO the "Haines
sheriffs'' in the three counties where
the law is enforced, as to the "Haines
sheriff in the county where he claims
the law is not enforced?
If MIR. Gardner had evidence which
ne claim. busy" as he may be, why
did he not present it to the Governor
instead of going about the State and
circulating the understanding that the
Governor is in league with Penobscot
rum sellers? He had what he assert
ed to be information. yet we were
Obliged to wiring 1t out OF him.
AS a loyal citizen OF the State MIR.
Gardner was holding up information
that should have been placed In the
Governors hands. and from that van
tage point was using it In attempt to
convince the people that Governor
Haines was playing double. We called
Mr.. Gardeners bluff and he has been
forced into producing his information.
That information consists of a list
of names and places, and Of course is
not evidence yet for ought that ap-
pears Mr.. Gardner had no other EVIL
dence" in his possession. If he had,
IT was his duty to present it to the
Governor; If he had not. how can ne
Justify his public utterances concern
ing that official? In any event, as we
have asserted and now reiterate, it is
"up to- Mr.. Gardner and not to us to
prove his assertions and, falling IN
that, to spare the few moments from
his busy life necessary to correct
what he would then concede to be a
false impression created by him.
Mr.. Gardner says to the Journal:
You know the situation in Penob-
scot. Otherwise why did you consult
the Governor"
We did not know the situation in
Penobscot was as Mr.. Gardner states
that it is. Frankly, we thought most
of the cry was Progressive politics.
We consulted the Governor to discov-
er il he believed what the Progressive
candidate for Governor was saying.
After all his public proclamations,
and declarations that the law Is not
enforced in Penobscot and Knox coun-
ties, he falls with this proposition,
If not upon dozen others: "Of course
If this precaution was not taken to
secure the resignation of every man
appointed) and investigation should
prove to the Governor that nullifica-
ton is still the rule In Penobscot and
Knox counties, ! should support him
in calling special Legislature to the
end that the law be enforced"
In his previous communication, Mr..
Gardner demanded the removal Of
Sheriff O'conneii. Now he would APP
prove a special session il "inVesti-
cation should prove the charges he
has been spreading. In other words.
Mr.. Gardner has specifically demand
ed the removal of Sheriff o'conneiI on
the strength of assertions as to nom
enforcement which he has been sowing
broadcast, but now in effect confesses
that the evidence on which those as.
sertions were based is insufficient to
justify the calling of special session.
Moreover, doubtless because he is "too
busy" he has sdroitly side stepped the
invitation of the journal that he make
good his charges and it's offer to CO.
operate with him to that end. We
think the Journal showed pretty con
cIusiveIy that this matter of produc-
ing "evidence" was .up to" Mr.. Gard
ner, the circuiator Of the statements
But that "busyv gentleman hasn't time
to devote to the trifiins matter of cor.
t~...~x.~.