Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-10

October 10Th that they would no
longer be held responsible for the
payment of their deputy sheriffsl
services" and that he (the sheriff)
was planning to call the deputies
home tonight (Oct. 29thl but upon
receipt of your {the Governor'sl tele-
gram gave orders for their contin-
ned enforcement Of law and order
assuming that the State would be
responsible for the payment of their,
services" To this letter Governor
Baxter replied that it was the Gov
ernor's duty to have law and order
maintained. and that the officials of
each county were charged with this
duty and that he expected them to
perform it. The Governor stated
that this expense would not be paid
by the State, for each county must
assume that burden.
After Governor Baxter gave his
orders to Sheriff Cole on October
Mccarthy telling him what he had
done and both the Governor and MIR.
Mccarthy thought best for the time
teing to refrain from publishing the
Geographic orders to Sheriff Cole. The
desired results had been accomplish
ed, the deputy sheriffs' services had
been retained, and it was the opinion
of the Governor and Manager Me-
Carthy that it was best to assume
that the citizens of Rumford were
law abiding. The Governor and MIR.
Mccarthy were of the opinion that
the publication q the telegram might
be considered reflection upon the
law abiding citizens Of Rumford who
were not involved in the dispute be-
tween the county commissioners and
the sheriff. The deputies We're re-
tanned, order was preserved. and the
incident was regarded as closed.
On November End. Mr. p. E. Nc
Carthy, manager of the mill. wrote
TO Governor Baxter that he believed
that the Governors action will have
the effect of preventing serious disor-
der in the community" and he thank
ed the Governor for his prompt action.
He further said that "the attitude
Of yourself and the council has shown
that we still have men in authority
who recognize their responsibility,
and the courage which has been
shown in meeting the situat lion gives
us renewed confidence that we are
still governed by laws and not u vio-
lence."
On November 10Th. Mr.. Mccarthy
wrote to the Governor that the coun-
ty commissioners had ordered the
sheriff to withdraw all the deputies
but four, and that Sheriff Cole was
very much disturbed by this order
as he does not feel that a force OF
four men would be sufficient for the
work" The letter also stated that
this matter had been taken up with
Mr.. F.. j. Roderick. chairman of the
board of assessors, who felt that the
force of deputy sheriffs should not be
reduced below s in number at the
present time" This unexpected turn
of events re-opened the entire matter
and on the next day. November 18th.
Mr.. Dyer and Sheriff Cole appeared
before the Governor and council at
their session in the evening. Mr..
siOnefs through him served notice
that they would not pay for more
than deputy sheriffs. and that if
others were employed the State must
pay for them. He stated that the
county commissioners had notified
Sheriff Cole to this effect and that
they would go to a law suit before :
paying for the deputies. The Cover
nor said that he was not interested
in the dispute as to who should pay
for the deputies, but that. he expected
and ordered the sheriff of Oxford
county to maintain law and order In
oxford county regardless OF every
consideration. The Governor said to
Mr., Dyer that each county must main |
tain law and order at it's own eX-
pense, but if the time ever came |
when the county could not or would |,
not maintain order. the State would |
determined afterward who would pay !,
the bills The Governor said he hop !
el the time never would come in !
Maine when county would fail to
do its duty and he did not believe
TIE Oxford county commissioners
would want to be placed ir that po-
Sition. when they realized what it
involved, Notwithstanding the formal
notice served on the Governor by Mr..
Dyer.
Sheriff Cole upon being question .
cd by the Governor stated that he /,
sd not think four deputies were suf- |
t"lent to maintain order and pre-
serve peace. even though the police |
at Rumford were willing to help. /,
Governor Baxter told Mr. Dyer. who
represented the county commission
ers, that the State at the present
time viii assume no financial Iiabil-
ity but regardless OF this, law and
order will be maintained at all
times" The Governor said: az look
TO Sheriff Cole to maintain order In
Oxford county under the direction Of
the Governor and Sheriff Cole him
self must determine as to how many
deputies he needs for the work. Sher-
iff Cole must decide as to the details
of his work. not the county commits
sioners. We will maintain law and or
der first. and won't worry as to how
the bills will be paid"
In closing the Governor said to the
sheriff You keep n stiff upper lip
Mr.. Sheriff. and l will stand behind
YOU" Sheriff Cole then assured the
Governor that he would continue to
maintain law and order, and would
use his own judgment as to the num-