Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-02-19
name TEMPORARY
CHAIRMAN UNTIL
WOMAN QUALITIES

Yesterday. with the opening of the
board of registration, Chester Getch-
ell was appointed by Mayor Leon o.
Iebbetts to act as temporary chair
man of the board until such time as
Mrs. II. May Lawrence. who was ap-
pointed to the craftsmanship a few
days ago by Governor Brewster re-
ceived her confirmation papers and
could be duly sworn into the office.
Immediately after Mr.. GetchelTs ap-
pointment he turned in his resigna-
ton as chairman of the Republican
city committee, a position that he
has occupied for some time.
Mrs. Lawrence was at the city
building some time before 9 o'click,
the time scheduled for the morning
session of the board to open, ready
to take the chair and preside over the
meeting. But as her appointment had
not then been confirmed she was ad-
vised to wait until her papers had ar
rived.
Representatives Of the Republican
city committee approached Mr.. Teb-
belts asking him to make an appoint
ment to fill the existing vacancy on
the board and they suggested Chester
Getchell as a man admirably fitted
for the duties of the office. The may
or quickly communicated with Mr..
Getchell and the latter expressed q
Willingness to assume the chairman
ship during the interim that it was
vacant. He presided over the ses-
sions of the board yesterday.
The appointment of Mrs. Lawrence
by the governor was not received ia
vorably by a number of Waterville
Republicans and there was a general
impression that it would not be ap-
proved by the governors council.
Working under this belief the mem
bers of the committee requested the
mayor to intervene.
Mrs. Lawrence was anxious that
| she be appointed by the mayor but
| he thought that while there were
| several names for the governor to
consider, it would not be polite for
| him to appoint any one who had an
| interest in the matter. He chose Mr..
| Getchell, believing him to have no
personal interest in the question.
| Mr.. Getchell is the son Of Colby
| Getchell. who died a month ago. His
father was for many years the chair
man Of the board and Chester Getch-
ell was looked on by many as a most
proper man for the office. His APP
pointment by Mayor Tebbetts
I
| ment from Waterville Republicans.
Several years ago Mr.. Tebbetts and
Mr.. Getchell were opponents for
mayor in a municipal election.
| Mrs. Lawrence. the wife of Eu-
! gene Lawrence, took prominent
| and active part in Brewster's cam
| paign both during the period before
| the primaries in June and the elect
! ion in September. She has also been
! active in the church life Of the city
and is chairman Of the Americaniza-
ton committee Of the Waterville w.
| c. T. l.. She has figured in politics
but comparatively short time and
her appointment to the Office Of
! chairman of the board Of registra-
| ton was unlocked for.
In the forenoon Mrs. Lawrence re-
ceived a telephone message from Mr..
| Dustin, the governors secretary,
] saying that her appointment had
governors council which had Just
| adjourned and that he knew no reas-
on why she shouldn't take office at
| once.
| She came to the city building to
/ participate in the proceedings of the
| board but she was again advised
: that she must be qualified for the Of
| fee before she could take the chair.
Mrs. Lawrence then went to w. II.
= X Abbott, a dedimus justice, to be
! qualified but he told her that he could
; do nothing until her confirmation pa.
! pers had arrived.
| Last night the papers had not
come into her possession and Mr..
, Getchell was acting as chairman of
the board.