Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-29


Park and we usually had hard cider
with us.
when Mrs. LaBar or Mrs. Ram
sey needed wine or alcohol ] would
telephone the sheriff and sometimes
he would bring it and sometimes ]
would go down to the jail and get it,
When l went to the Jail once or
twice I went to the liquor room with
| him to obtain the supply.
This procuring of intoxicating
| liquor from Mr.. Cummings contin-
| ued after we moved to Augusta in
| November, 1924. Mr.. Cummings
| supplied us with alcohol and wine,
| usually not more than a quart or
two at time from the time we
came to Augusta from November.
| 1924, until the fall Of 1925"
Judge Connolley asked that time
be granted him for preparation for
the cross-examination of the wit.
| ness.
| Governor Brewster replied that he
| did not think the granting of this
time would be necessary as Mr.. La
Bar would continue to be available
as witness.
| Governor Brewster conferred on the
matter with the members of the Ex-
ecutive Council, Governor Brewster
stated that he thought that it is
| recognized that the orderly proce-
dure is for cross-examination to fol-
| low Introduction of the witness, that
In view of the stories which have
been generally circulated during the
last three weeks, the governor hav-
ing discussed the matter with the
council. they did not feel that the
element of surprise as to the ap-
pearance of this witness can be of
material consideration in the case
Replying to the governor, Judge
| Connolley said that had this allega-
| ton been made-a positive breach
of law-they would then have been
| confronted with the necessity of pro-
tecting themselves. He said that
the sheriff would tell of persons to
whom he had given liquor for me-
! dlcinal purposes. giving as among
/ others to governors father.
No Notice of Allegation
1t was Judge Connolley's conlen-
ton that seasonable notice of this
allegation had not been given.
Would you consider that the brief
portion of an hour Is sufficient time
to prepare for this defense?" he
asked
The governor indicated that Mr.
LaBar might be called later as wit
ness of the defense, if the defense
desired, but Judge Connolley said
! that then they would be limited by
the ordinary rules of evidence and
it would be necessary to show that
the witness is hostile. II ask that
I have the privilege Of continued
cross examination to prepare de-
Tense Of a matter alleged here for
the first time
The governor repeated that the
cross-eXa animation of a witness prop
erly follows the direct examination
and he pointed out that the element
of surprise does not appear here.
Surprised at Testimony
Judge Connolley said he was sur
prised at this testimony, he admit
ted that there were runors on the
street. but he had no reason to as
sumo that this man would testify.
Eve are under the charge of nom
feasance-that the sheriff did not do
his duty faithfully and that the
charge involved in the witness testi-
mony was not alleged in this
charge" We must seek information
from the newspapermen or from ru
mors on the street" he said.
! 81 understand that we are refused
time to prepare for this cross-eXam-
nation" said Judge Connolley.
/ "On the ground of surprise" said
! the governor.
Declines TO Cross Examine
81 shall decline to cross examine,"
said Mr.. Connolley.
Clerk of Courts Jones
Charles W. Jones of Augusta, clerk
! of courts of kennebec county, pro-
duced records showing that Sam
| Ross of Augusta was sentenced TO
serve a term in Jail on a liquor
charge.
On cross examina ton by Judge
/ Connolly, the witness testified that he
has been clerk of courts for % years
and that conditions were equally
good under Sheriff Cummings as I'M
der any other sheriffs.
How often do you see the sheriff ,"
| asked Judge Connolly.
Very Often" replied the witness.
ever see any evidence that the
/ sheriff had been drinking?
mo. What is the reputation of the
sheriff for sobriety?
Good.
Sheriff a TeetotaIer
Has the sheriff the reputation Of
/ being a teetotaler?
He has.
Edward E. Chapman of Beddiford,
an insurance agent was called. He
| testified that he was employed in
August, 1924, to investigate liquor
! conditions by the city of Augusta and
was instructed by Mayor Mclean
and City Marshal Skehan. On August
IS. 1924. he was watching the house
of Calix Blouin. An automobile
drove up to the Blouin residence.
Two men were in the car and one of
them, Sheriff Cummings, went into
the house and stayed there 20 or %
minutse. The witness was present
when Sheriff Cummings drove away
in the car and he thought that the
car contained empty cans. The wit
| ness on this occasion was engaged in
trying to locate a hide on the Blouin
premises.
Saw Sheriff at BIouin House
| Continuing the witness said that he
| watched the house on the following
night. The sheriff drove up to the
mouse. The witness looked in a Win
! dow and saw Sheriff Cummings talk
ing with Mrs. Blouin.
| did you expect to see Sheriff
Cummings" asked Attorney Fisher.
| mo.
wat the visit of the sheriff a sur
! prise to you?"
1T was.
| Ever been convicted Of any
! crine?" asked Attorney Connolley in
! cross examination.
Yes replied the witness.
What for?"
Non support of my wife at Wor-
cester, Mass.
Ever arrested for intoxication?"
"No sir.
Are you divorced? ?"
Yes, from my first wife.
You say that You saw the sheriff