The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-10-07

| Rockland, Me, Oct As the re-
suit of action on the part Of leading
citizens of Rockland. which has since
systematized In the organisation Of the
Good Government Association OF
Rockland, the city is today the clean
est in respect of violation OF law that
1t has been for many years. So deter
mined Is the action which 10 being fol-
lowed up along practical lines that Its
good effect IL already felt and the
movement Ii growing In the support
OF citizens. The movement relates not
alone to the enforcement Of the pro-
hibitory law, but Of every law which IL
violated. It has been realized for
years that Rockland was the harbor-
Of the State. Parties harbordng crimi-
mails have been given as the occasion
| OF the present crusade.
| Last week John 8. Randlett, Jr., was
approached by two men who showed
him q diamond and wanted to sell him
some. The sample showed him looked
good and he purchased fourteen. He
afterwards found they were only paste.
| The services of State Detective Kali
| loch were secured and he soon got
track OF the two crooks, who, when ar
rested. gave their names as Dick Han
Ion, of Boston and John Gillin. of Lew
iston. The grand Jury of the Septem-
Der term of the Supreme Court Of
Knox County returned indictments
against the two men. When arraigned
before Associate Justice Philbrook
they pleaded nolo contendere. They
shall be sentenced this afternoon.
Phony Diamond Game.
The ordinary little incident of the
phony diamond game was the occasion
for starting the present movement for
$Dr ~ 1ox In, nd
was reported that Gillin and Hanlon
had been harbored by a more or less
notorious party by the name OF Joseph
H. Mealey and suspicion has for a
long time rested upon him as one
who harbored many Of the criminals
who frequented Rockland from time
to time. There have been numerous
burg1aries, robberies and other Often
ses committed from time to time In
Rockland, and it IL believed that many
of the offenders were given shelter by
Mealey. 1t was also known that he
conducted resorts OF unsavory repu-
tation. Some think that the robbers
who broke into the Searsport post
office operated from Rockland and
one man has said that he felt pretty
sure that some Of the party were har-
bored in this city.
Following the phony diamond incl
dent a number OF prominent business
men had a conference with Sheriff
Hobbs and County Attorney Whitney.
with the result that before nightfail
the Mealey places had been ratded
and large quantities OF liquor seized.
These places were located on Oak
Street and Tilsonb Avenue. the latter
place being known as the Palm Gar
den. 1t Is currently reported that
this latter place has been visited by
high school students and other young
men.
Will Clean Up.
The conference followed by a meet
ing in the rooms Of the Rockland
Merchants Association, fifty citizens
being present. The meeting was pre-
sided over by Glenn A. Lawrence. Of
the Lawrence Canning Company. and
son of Colonel E. NJ. Lawrence. a
for Governor Charles T. Smalley.
a local attorney. acted as clerk
of the meeting. At this meet
ing steps were taken for the organ
ixation Of the Good Government Asso-
citation. The purposes OF the Asso-
citation as drawn up are: ITO make a.
determined and sustained effort to
improve and clean up the city OF
Rockland. socially and morally, and
to keep IL clean and to see that all
law to that end Is impartially enforced
as to all persons, owners. occupants
of buildings or others. We (the sign
ers) bind ourselves together for said
purposes and pledge our efforts for
their accomplishment"
At this meeting a resolution re-
question the Mayor of the city to no.
ttfy all liquor dealers, Keepers OF
houses of bad repute and other like
offenders to close the same immedi-
ately and to discontinue business