Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-12
new ELECTION
REQUIRED to Be Called by
City Of HalloWell
Result of Judgment Of Custer Issued
Followed Quo Warranto Proceedings
Monday Before Chief Justice Cor
nish-Street Commissioner Contest
Brought Validity Of Election to Test

Hearing was held before Chief JUS
tiCe Leslie G. Cornish Monday morn
ing at the court house in the matter
Of the quo warranto proceedings, which
had been brought in the name of the
attorney general against all the Halo
we'll city officials who were declared
elected AT the last election in that city,
Dec. 10, 1911 The validity of that cleo
ton was questioned because the old
form of ballot WIS used, whereas the
Legislature of 1911. Chap. 296 of the
Laws of lal1) provided for a new form
of ballot containing small square ~
the right of the name Of each candi-
date. The Halloween city officials APP
pearcd BY counsel and consented TO 4
judgment of custer. This judgment was
accordingly entered, forbddinS all the
officials of that city from exercising
any Of the duties belonging to the sew
cral offices 10 which they Wer" dccllr-
cd elected by virtue of the election OF
Dec 20. AS result of this decree nep
election VIII probably be called by the
Hallowell city government at an carly
date.
NJ. IL. Simmons of this city appear
cd at the hearing as counsel for the OF
ficials who had been declared elected.
they being the following: Mayor, John
NJ Robinson; aldermen. George W.
Perkins and Harry w. Reid. at large.
and a. H. Randall. II. +. Crimmins. W.
II. Fitzsimmons. Z. G.. Murphy and }.
G. Crimmins; city marshal Arson D.
Bacon: street commissioner, Nallace
II. Erann; ward ofliccrs--J. II. Fish, W.
w. Flags, j. II. Smith. Jr., J. A. snare,
-. l.. Robbins, j. II. Nelson. w. y
Waldron, e. !. IIedrick, George y
Heath. II -. Fuller. George Nliiiams'
Fred Peacock, J. w. Jones and tusscA
Lowell f. f. Maher Of this city was
counsel for the state.
The entire mixup occurred on account
of the fact that the act providing Tor
the new form of the ballot TO be used
went INTO effect 80 days after the ad-
io,,,nmcnt Of the Legislature, whereas
the at that provided for voting on i've
Low form of ha Hot did not go into Ell
zee, hntil Jan. /, 1918. Sec. of CHAP.
: of the Statutes, relating TO what bal
lots should contain. was amended u!
chan o9G Of the Laws of 1911, providing
for q blank square at the rlSht OF ca'
candidates name on the Dailo'. 'ihu
that act went into effect ~ u'S y s'i'''
the adjournment of the Legislature.
BIT Chap. 306 Of the Laws OF I9l''
which amended Sec. Is Of the Statues
relating TO the preparing of the paliot
and the manner Of voting. did not pc
come effective until Jan. ]. 1918.
The question of the validity OF the
election grew out of the contest Tor
street commissioner in that city, sam
uel Cottle running under the name VI
irdepcndent against the successful cam
didate, Wallace r. Brann. The confess
for that office was the only one IN the
election, all the other officers belns
chosen on q Citizens ticket.
1t would appear that the only csal
way FOR an election to have been heio
in that state at that time would nave
henn to have had the ballots prinlen
with the blank square at the flSht .
GA N candidates name on inc oaho''
and then to have instructed me \o'e''
not to make use Of those small squares,
rrba election at Portland in the IAN
r.os conducted in that manner.