Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-06
Mr. Guptill's Letter.

The letter of Commissioner Guptill
to Mr.. Russ asking for his resignation
is as follows:
Augusta, Me. Sept. 80, 1916.
Mr.. E. A. Russ,
Augusta, Maine.
My Dear Mr.. Russ: For a long time,
ever since early this spring, reports
have been coming to me incidentally
of some kind Of a crouch that you
were entertaining towards the leaders
of the Democratic party, especially
towards Governor Curtis and Senator
Johnson. More recently it appears
that this has extended to the Depart
ment of Agriculture and to the en-
tire Democratic party. I was loath
to believe that such was the case
and have neglected to speak about 1t
because l couldn't conceive that such
a thing was possible and have given
you the benefit of the doubt. The last
day or two it has developed that in
nearly every part Of the State you
have exhibited this publicly for view.
Now, your position was secured for
YOU because you We're allied with the
party with which l am affiliated. Eff
that l demanded. Loyalty is one of
the prominent elements of efficiency.
l have decided that l will give you an
opportunity to resign, II you care to.
from your present position and leave
the $3.50 which you will draw during
the next three months in the treasury
for the Republicans, whom you seem
to favor, to spend as they see fit.
wanted to see you this morning to talk
this mater over with you face to face.
Perhaps it is just as we'll not.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) WILLIAM T. GUPTILL.,
o.. Commissioner.
= Mr.. Russ Reply.
The reply of Mr. Russ to the letter
of Commissioner Guptill asking for his
resignation is as follows:
Portland, Me. Oct. 3. 1916.
Hon. William 7. Guptill.
Augusta. Maine.
Dear Sir: l beg hereby to acknowl-
edge the receipt of yours of the 30th
ult which came to me at the hand of
Mr.. Eaton. l note fully the contents
of the letter. The privilege of resign
ing any office or appointment is al
ways open to the occupant when he or
they desire to exercise that privilege.
The right to accept an invitation to
resign position is one that is entirely
up to the party asked to resign.
| most certainly decline to resign the
position / now hold as deputy State
sealer of weights and measures for
any such reason as you allege in your
letter before me. /. II you have charges
to prefer against me, l ask that they
be put in form and duly presented.
! am,
Yours obediently,
(Signed) EDGAR A. RUSS,
Deputy State Sehler of Weights and
Measures.
Letter Of Dismissal.
Commissioner Guptill's letter of dis
missal to Mr. Russ, forwarded today to
his home at Dexter, is as follows:
Augusta, Me. Oct. ), 1915.
Mr.. f. A. Russ.
Dexter Maine.
Dear Sir: In my letter Of the Goth
addressed to you asking for your
resignation l was simply extending to
YOU the courtesy of Withdrawing from
the Department without being dis
missed Inasmuch as you do not care
to accept that, as expressed IN your let
ter of the Sd, beg to inform you that
YOU are dismissed. l have no charges
to prefer against you. inasmuch as you
hold this office subject TO the approval
of the State Sealer.
would like to have you return the
KEYS to the room in which the stand
ards are stored and any other property
that belongs to the State.
am,
Very truly yours,
fSjened) WILLIAM T. GUPTILL,
Commissioner.