Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-19
PRISON BOARD
CONTINUED from Page One)

statement published in Wednesday
! mornings Journal and some OF the
other Maine papers to the effect that
the governor and council at their
Tuesday session held up the warrant
amounting to about $3.50 for the pay
ment of the new guards employed to
replace the prison guards suspended
by Warden Eaton.
1t is matter Of record in the Of
flee of the secretary of State that the
Council passed unanimously warrants
for the payment Of. the guards. One
warrant providing for the payment
Of $S0S.54 to the prison employees who
were on duty previous to the inves-
tigation and were not suspended by
the warden, was passed by the Coun-
Gil without objection and was signed
by Governor Brewster when pre-
scented to him Wednesday morning.
The warrant for the payment OF
the new guards provided for the pay
met of s145 to six men for one week
and STA to nine men for the follow
ing week. This warrant after having
been unanimously passed by the
Council. was presented to Governor
Brewster for his approval yesterday
| morning, but up to the time the State
| House departments closed yesterday
afternoon had not been signed by the
Governor. :.
The Governor opposes paying the
new guards, 1t is said, on the ground
| that they are only temporary en-
ployes and are not of the status OF
regular employees. The Council has
the duty to control the payment OF
newly appointed and temporary en-
ployees. No one can displace the
| old employees without permission OF
| Governor and Council, even at tne
same salary. The matter Is irregular
and is in derogation of the rights OF
| the old guards who have been dls-
pIaced by the Warden, without au-
| tbority or vote of the Governor ano
Council.
guards have been, no parties to any
controversy and have given thelI
time and work. They have come oul
ne the turmoil excited by the GOV.
ernor himself. Their appointment
was the outcome of a general agree
ment made at Thpmaston when the
Militia and everything else was a.
the Prison. The Council found ev-
| erything placid at that time, no OUT
break or indication OF any.
Governors Position
| "rbe determination of Warden
l Eaton
| guards whom he felt were dlsioyal
to him and who had furnished al
| kdayits which the investigation prov
ed to be largely false and largely
| trivial, is well understood.
| eft was seen at Thomaston tnal
| there was no occasion for Ml!ltla
and all that sort OF thing. Inc
warden refused to take back the
guards then suspended by him al
| he termed it.
Tacit Agreement
"It was tacitly agreed that the
| Commissioners replace them by
others selected for the work. Inc
seventeen guards signing the am
| davis have not been taken back. Inc
new guards have done work salts.
| factorily since then. 1t was felt thai
If were not wise or the seventeen
misunderstanding guards TO remain
| at the prison. After some troupis
in locating the Governor VINO nae
left previous to the actual settiement
of the procedure, the Governor war
| informed of the fact that ne"
guards had been appointed to take
fhe place, partially at least, Of
those whom the Warden had sus'
| pended OF. discharged.
| "These men were employed; they
| have worked and the Council voted
| unanimously to pay them.
4 member of the Council further
saws I'VE do not seek to interpret
the Governors position In general
il seems to be to the effect that I'M
! less the old guards who signed the
affidavits which he gave to the
press. are restored or a portion OF
them-this is Indefinitely stated pv
him as ruIe-or are not properly
dealt with, he will not pay tnese
new guards for work done"
ut is of course apparent that the
Governor can withhold his signature
from the warrants. He has natural
" deal of power If he choose 70
exercise It. We are powerless Pc
vond our own province. do NOT
care to enter on the discussion ..
differences or disagreements. 6ut
we do object to a statement SO gT M
era, as this when the council I'm
ANIMOUSLY passed up to the COY
ernor the warrants. We decline 70
bear the burden off misinformat ION
on any such point. If they are ~. nj
maid it is the Governors afIalr. not