Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-08
Governor Moves
lContinued from Paua Qnal

! had been the scene of many wild par
| ties" where quantities of intoxicating
| liquor was dispensed and where somo
of the women present are said to have
disported in rather scanty attire the
State police entered into the iuvestiga-
| ton. for the most part concentrate
| ing their efforts in an attempt TO de-
| termine the source of the liquor con-
sumed Mt the parties. 1t has been
commonly rumored that some of that
liquor was from the stock of seized
. contraband supposed to be securely
| stored in the county rum room under
the custody of Sheriff Cummings.
Besides the series of Investigations
: into the many angles of the LaBar
cases by county, state and federal
officials, it has also been generally
reported that an entirely separate
probe was under way by field work.
ers of the Civic League into the con-
duct of the sheriff's department. Re-
! ports Of startling findings have been
circulated, and it now seems that the
revelations so far as the state execu-
tive officials is concerned have been
of sufficient import to occasion the
detailing of Mr.. Fisher, n tried and
proven investigator. to the case.
This latest development, it is be-
lieved by many, puts an entirely diff
ferent aspect on the LaBar case, and
there are those who say that 1t was
/ because certain county officials were
so intimately connected with events
preceding the civil litigation between
the LaBars that those prases have
recently been brought. to settlement,
obviating the airing of the causes
before the courts.
The statement of Gov Brewster IS
as follows:
Considerable public interest has
been manifested in the recent ru-
mors as to conditions of law enforce
ment in Kennebec county.
THE attorney general and myself
are agreed that a thorough investi-
cation independent of the legal de-
partment of the state is desira BILE in
order that the attorney general may
be free to serve as the constitutional
adviser of the governor and council
in any proceedings that nigh result
in the event that irregularities have
occurred involving public officials. In
this way we should measurably avoid
the function of prosecution and cout
which is the somewhat anomalous
situation presented under the consti-
Franklin Fisher, Esq. of Lewis
ton has accordingly been asked to
make a thorough goint investigation
in cooperation with the state police
and other state and federal officials
and to make such recommendation
as he may deem wise.
mir. Fisher was assistant attorney
general in the administration of Gov
Milliken and was actively identified
with the investigation and exposure
of the fraudulent petitions for refer
endum at that time and also with
the proceedings which led to the re-
moval by the governor and council
of Sheriff White. During the last adj
ministration. Mr.. Fisher was asso-
ciated with the preparation and pres
entation of the case in relation TO
the fraudulent practices in the gu
bernatorial primary which command
ed the COINCIDENCE both Of the govern
or and council and of the supreme
court and led to a reversal of the re-
suit
Last year Mr.. Fisher conducted
the investigation of the petitions for
a referendum on the direct primary
law which showed over 1000 names
illegally filed and resulted in the re-
lection of the petitions as clearly in
sufficient.
His record IS guarantee of an
Investigation that will merit the con-
fidence of all citizens interested in
the honest and impartial enforcement
of law and in maintaining the ma
jesty and supremacy of the consti-
tuition and the statutes of the state.
For the past 10 years at critical
periods in the history of our state he
has written a record of fearlessness,
intelligence and zeal. He has been
assured of any assistance he may
find desirable to lead to a full dis
closure of the truth"