Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-10-23
REGARDING AN "INcIDEN1"
THAT IS "cIoSEO"

we utobt VIM IGdu Wuht
Governor Baxter had to say re.
specting the outcome OF stuffins the
ballot box in Ward 4. Portland. will
experience a feeling OF indignation.
which they well might feel war;
ranttd In terming righteous indigna-
ton. Here was n ballot box de-
liberately stuffed. every election Of
ficial professed innocence, which Of
course wos absurd perjury on the
face OF It for some OF those officials,
and an exhibition Of rank iHcom-
potency on the part OF others. none
OF whom have even expressed regret
so far as we have seen. They have
not even had the decency to resign.
thouth called upon. From this It
WOULD seem those that may not have
actually manipulated the stunning Of
the ballot box and the classifying Of
the record are in sympathy with the
crime.
And 1t was a crime OF outstanding
significance. Had 1t not been-for the
courageous performance Of civic
duty ,on the part of few that crime
in Ward 4, Portland, would have
selected n candidate for one Of the
great political parties in this State.
The character Of the candidate SO
selected has nothing whatever to do
with the matter. but the manner
Of selection. That constitutes q
fragrant crime. which In effect Is
the exploding OF a bomb under the
foundations Of government.
The guilt 10 proven. The guilty
50 free because under the law the
individual IL presumed innocent
until, proven guilty. though everyone
be informed by common sense to the
contrary. such is the protection
throtn about criminals under
criminal procedure In our courts. So
II comes about that our criminals
rather than society receive the pro-
teotisn; those convicted under It
appear as unfortunates meriting
sympathy. From such conditions It
would seem permissible to deduce a
public obligation to be especially
kind to the few who are convicted.
Certainly II We advertise and en-
phsstss society's impotency under
the law. as this case does. We 30
broadcast induosmsnt to criminality
among all those whose consciences
AFFORD no restraint upon their am
bition.
lrating about law and order in the
face ,of such impotency Is ne more
than. the squeak OF = mouse in the
teeth Of a hurricane. When society
finds. Itself In that prsdicamsnt what
happens? What has happened?
What happened In California under
the vigtisntess What happened in
Italy, under Mussolini? Why. some
thing which resembled order with
out law. And then what usually
happens before society may get back
upon the f,rm foundations OF wise
laws properly enforced? Trouble,
injustice. travail while climbing
back to the eminencs OF civilization.
All this may be prevented II We all
SO about It and stay on the Job. 1t
cannot be prevented unless there be
general and persistent interest In
seeking . remedy. n we do not wish
to bs bothered by such problems; II
We are intent solely on the gaiety
Of the passing day; II We are re-
spectful Of a community tolersting
such things, we might as we'll say:
After VS. the deiuse" and thank our
lucky stars II Il doesn't come In our
cay.
VIVA: are we doing or proposing to
do about a condition under which It
Is possible for the Governor Of .
sovereign state to say respecting .
crime which IL breach In the
foundations OF that State: 1.-THE
nrbaeut Incident in closed?