Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-02
The Or. Berry Hearing.

cd from any comment upon the much
talked about hearing Of Rev. Wilbur
F. Berry before the Governor and
Council. wishing to discover the exact
course and purpose Of the administra-
ton. While the Governors invita-
ton to DR.. Berry to appear was some
what offensive in its insinuations and
plainly antagonistic rather than re-
ceptiye and interested, We withheld
any reference that might influence the
mind Of any reader Of this newspaper
before the hearing.
The hearing was held on Wednes-
day and the reports Of the cross-ex
animation of Dr. Berry by Governor
Curtis speak for themselves. DR..
Berry gave facts and went no farther
than his actual knowledge of condi-
tiona would allow. Governor Curtis
met him with open antagonism and
fiippRncy. At every stage in the hear
inss Ias it manifest that the admins
tration had not the slightest use for
any Of the information or suggestions
Of an experienced investigator.
The Waterville Sentinel in its larg-
est first page display declares: Gov
ernor Curtis Pins DR.. Berry to Cold
Facts" That is significant. The Dem
ocratic organ accepts DR.. Berry's
49, Of 70 &c a
the Governor himself attempts to
mock at and belittle DR.. Berry for Of
fering the facts.
The ADMINISTRATORS openly accuses
Governor Haines Of having listened to
and following the advice Of Dr. Berry,
but in the same breath announces
that it can do nothing to prevent a
wide-open condition of brazen multi
flcation of the law.
In the campaign which elected Oak
ley c. Curtis to the governorship he is
quoted as saying that if he should be
elected the people might know what
to expect" on the prohibition question.
Today the administra ton and the
Democratic press jumps to make po-
litical capital out Of nom enforcement
of the law, fragrant neglect, and even
fiat refusal to perform the duties Of
officials entrusted with the enforce
ment Of the provisions of the law.
They glory in the evidence Of nullifi-
cation of the States statutory and
constitutional law. They seize this
opportunity to parade the proof of
Democratic claims that the law can
not be enforced. Read this news re-
port from the Waterville Sentinel:
LQuestion by Givernor CurtisI:
"'Do you mean that you can't buy any
rum in Cumberland County,?
IDr. Berry in reply]:
"'Oh, no. but do not think that l or
my agents could buy any there very
Well. l know better retorsed the
Governor emphatically."
i The Governor shifted his tactics
several times during the hearing. al
ways assuming an attitude Of agrees
sive opposition to his would-be in
formant and repeatedly complaining
that his hands are tied and that he
can do nothing to prevent unlimited
criminality. His attitude toward DR..
Berry was every moment as toward a
political enemy of his administration.
While he accuses Governor Haines of
accepting the Civic Leagues informa =
ton and of acting upon it, he indig-
nantly spurns it for his administration
and at the same time, insinuates that
the Civic League is with the Repub-
liean party.
1t is an eye-opener for thinking peo-
pie aand particularly for those who
have been told that DR.. Berry and his
. assistants and the board Of law-lov-
ing citizens who control their activi-
. ties are working in the interests of any
party.
Governor Curtis repeatedly asked
what course he could pursue to enforce
the law and when told, as Governor
Haines was told, ito call the Legisla-
ture and impeach all officers who re-
fuse to honor their oaths Of Office
declined fatty to consider such a
course. saying-[Again quoted from
the Waterville Sentinel:
Z "Not IL 1t is to be anything like the one
last winter-that wasn't balanced right
for comfort and l guess we've had
enough Of them for this year." said the
governor.
Summed up from Wednesdays hear
ing before the Governor and Council.
the present administration has no in
tention Of interfering with any degree
Of Official notification Of the prohibi-
tory law, open sheriff license Of the
liquor trafIlo, or brazen graft.
1t is a pitiful spectacle for a law
abiding people who have ordered and
made the laws. who have made the
law . part Of the constitution and who
have reinforced their demand by re-
fusing to remove the law from the
constitution, to have a Governor.
elected by minority vote, seize upon
the first good opportunity to point to
his lack Of service as proof Of the old
Ia