Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-17

The platform of the Republican
State convention will not contain
any drastic anti-Klan platform, it
was said by members of the special
resolutions committee of the State
committee, who have been meeting in
Portland. A declaration will be made
against the fostering Of racial and
religious prejudices. but the resolu-
ton will not mention the Khan by
name. nor will 1t even contain q
declaration against political actiyi-
ties of oath bound secret fraterni-
ties" it was predicted. Members Of
the resolutions committee appear to
De divided upon a declaration re-
garding the direct primaries. Some
or the committee members are in
favor of a declara ton calling for
submission to the people of a prop
osition for its repeal, as was made
IN the platform Of two years ago.
Others are in favor Of plank calling
Tor amending the present law.
While there are lots of open places
In the Kennebec, and it looks as IL
the ice would go out early, this year
will not establish record. In 1870
the ice left the river March L., and
made a record in river history. From
Gates in the possession of Calvin A.
Cole OF Hallnwtli. are cleaned the
following facts: IL 1926 the river
closed on Nov. Ford and opened on
April End. Ten years later the rlvsr
closed on November 23rd and opened
on April End. In 1S41 the .i7er
closed on Dec. 18th and opened on
March Goth Since 1873 but tw.ce
has the ice ,ttt the river as late as it
DID In 1853 when II went out on IN.
21s; of April. N 1856 the
kennebec river was closed for 40
days. In 1879 the ice left the river
on April Sth. IN 1900 the ice lev the
river on April 1st. In 1915 tbs ice
went out On, the 1st day of AlIil. IN
1918 the ice went ont on the End of
April. In 1910 the ice went out on
the 4th day of April. In 1920 the ice
went out on the 31st day of April. In
1921 the ice went out on the 30th day
OF April. Now people living about the
river are wondering, IL the ice will
60 out in March this year.
When the new city, Council. elected
Monday, March 3, in four wards, met
at city rooms at Ellsworth to receive
the oath of Office and be inaugurated. a
complicated political tangie presented
itself and called for legal advice. AL
derman Oscar L. Whalen presented his
written resignation. to take effect at
once as he declined to take the oath
OF office. which was. however, given to
the other seven aldermen and the
mayor. Just year ago at the annual
municipal election Oscar l.. Whalen
was elected an alderman In Ward 3
on the Republican ticket. and a short
time later he had been appointed East
port municipal judge for four years
by Gov. Percival Baxter. It is now
Claimed that one cannot hold a judicial
office and serve on a city council. or
when taking the oath Of office for
either of those positions he automati-
cally ceases to legally hold the former.
AS Judge Whalen. and other legal au-
thorities figured it out. he would cease
to be municipal judge IL he became
an alderman. by taking the required
oath of office. His term OF alderman
during the past administration expired
at the inauguration at city rooms Mon
day morning. but having been re-
elected just week previous he was
the only one who can occupy the chair
when being officially inaugurated. The
salary of local judgeship is close to
$1,000 while an alderman receives no
salary