New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1926-11-27
GOULD EX0NERATED
IN Maine SCANDAL
Charges Against Senatm-Elect
DisproYed

Augusta, Me-, Nov. 27 R-Ar-
thur r. Gould, republican nominee
for the United States senate, stood
cleared today of charges OF having
exceeded $500 limit placed by this
state upon primary campaign ex-
penses.
Gould, upon whose election next
Monday depends republican control
OF the senate, emerged last night
from q hearing before Secretary of
State Frank Ball confident that the
dismissal of charges had indicated
him and assured his victory over
Fulton j. Redman, democratic
nominee.
At the same time Daniel F. Field,
chairman OF the republican state
committee and Senator Frederick
Hale voiced renewed belief in the
integrity of Mr.. Gould and predict
ed his election.
But Gov. Ralph o. Brewster.
whose open letter to Maine repub-
leans on Thursday night had re-
pudiated Gould and exploded q
bombshell in an already tense poll
teal situation, renewed his attacks
upon his party's successful candl-
date in the primary.
He charged that Sin all the weller
of personal abuse there had been no
denial that the law was deliberately
and repeatedly violated by friends
of the successful nominee"
Brewster's letter had charged 1t
was a matter of general knowledge
that considerable sums in excess of
the legal allowance had been spent
to insure Gould's triumph and
bluntly contended the victor was in
the position of a man receiving
stolen goods.
Brewster, who was called to the
stand in the public hearing earlier
in the day, admitted under direct
examination by State Senator Fred
erick Hinckley. Gould's counsel, that
of his own knowledge he did not
know of ''one cent spent by Mr..
Gould, or with his knowledge and
consent, beyond the limit of the
law"
The charges had been preferred
by the Rev. A. f. Leigh, Method
list minister of Randolph and a
prominent leader in the ku klux
khan.
Leigh testified that although he
had preferred the charges he was
without direct knowledge of any
violation of the law. He was refer
red to by Hinckley as victim in a
political conspiracy against Gould.
In dismissing the charges Secre-
tary Ball ruled that the proof must
be full, clear and convincing. The
proof introduced here falls far
short of the standard. The claim
of the compartments attorney that
there is common talk about the
state is not proof. l cannot infer
knowledge and consent from the
meager facts proved"
The khan which had figured large
ly in the sitution was charged by
Gould's supporters with an attempt
to defeat him and throw the cleo
ton to Redman. The organization
wa known to have supported an
other candidate in the primary but
in answer to a charge that he was
a member, Gov. Brewster formally
denied any connection with the khan
and said he had never conferred
wi Imperial Wizard Evans con-
corning prosecution of the charges.
Mondays election will be for the
seat of Senator Bert NJ. Fernald
who died last August. Both candi-
dates have conducted vigorous cam
paigns. Backers of Gould have
stressed his qualifications as a law
yer and a railroad builder. Red
man, however, has attacked his op-
ponents record in connection with
the building of railroad in the
Canadian province of New Bruins
wick, introducing the record of
royal investigation showing Gould
gave a former premier 100000.
Gould has commended the money
was a forced political campaign
contribution while the presiding
justice characterized it as a ''bribe."
Redman has been under fire for
his alleged non-residence in Maine.
1t has been asserted he lives nine
months year in Newark, N. j..
and is a member of a New York
law firm. He has denied his nom
residence and defended his legal
connections.