The Portland daily press., 1874-09-19
Republicanism in Maine.

Gov. Allen of Ohio, who is Democrat, is
reported to have said On recent occasion,
that when he and his associates came into
power after an uninterrupted Republican ad-
ministration for many years, the most careful
scrutiny failed to reveal the slightest indica-
ton of fraud or dishonesty in their predeces-
sors. While Gov. Allen complained of the
high rate of taxation and the heavy burdens
imposed on the people by the successive Re-
publican administrations he admitted that
none of the money had been dishonesty di-
verted from legitimate purposes. We be-
lieve that the Republican party of this state,
which has just received so handsome testi-
monial of continued confidence at the hands
of the people, can claim record even more
honorable than that Of our brethren in Ohio
is represented to be by their opponents. Our
financial affairs have been managed not only
with honesty, but with ability. Our state
debt is in process of gradual extinction, while
the rate of taxation is somewhat lower with
in the last few years than before, despite the
large increase for educational purposes. All
the maturing obligations of the state can be
easily met without an increase of the present
rate of taxation. The party has very wisely
resisted all temptations to remove the restric-
tions on the amount of the debt, contained in
the state constitution, afording thus less OPP
portunity to spectators and sharpers who
might wish to thrive on the bounty of the
state. In levying taxes and expending the
revenues for the ordinary purposes of govern
ment the party has exhibited what in other
states, with one or two exceptions, would be
regarded as parsimony. Maine continues to
be the most conspicuous champion of the
good old Democratic doctrine of low salaries.
The sum of $3.50 a year for the pay of legis-
lators is pretty good measure of the Spartan
simplicity which is still in vogue here. A
state that pays its legislators a sum less than
good school teachers receive, and still shows
notably high grade of integrity and incor-
ruptibility, is certainly not in bad way NOR
ally. And this prudent moderation in the
matter of salaries, which is in some sense pc
culiar TO our state, has been preserved with
respect to all other officers from the chief ex-
ecutive downward. We regard it rather as
matter of pride than regret that members of
the executive council receive only two dollars
day for time spent in the public service;
but it must have been subject for surprise,
if not amusement, to citizens of other states
to hear our councillors savagely assailed. as
''grabbers" and plunderers of the treasury be.
cause their payroll is made up for the num-
ber of days Of each session though some
members may be absent some of the days.
Paradcxical as it may seem, experience in
this country shows very conclusivey that low
salaries, instead of conducting TO dishonesty
and leading men to exc out their slender in
come by unworthy methods, is rather SUBJ
stantial, and, commonly, sufficient guaran-
ty of their integrity. In general those states
which pay the most for being governed get
themselves governed with the least wisdom
the cheapest men. So far from the truth is
the discovery of the hungry class of office
holders and office-seekers, that low salaries
drive the ablest and best men into private life.
The man who goes into public life for pecuni-
airy inducements is naturally ready to avail
AitthoCi VI Oppoi luulbiOo iOl pCCllhLiOus
1t may be truly said that this almost rig
gardly watchf1lness of the treasury is one of
tie traditions handed down to the Republi-
can party from the Democracy that was so
long dominant in the government of the state
over whose birth it presided. 1t is true that
the Democracy in the quiet of ante war times.
when simplicity was much more in fashion
than at present, did set the. good example
But the Republican party is entitled to the
greater credit of vigorously adhering to what
might almost be called ''the Maine SYSTEM"
in times when civil discords and general in
fation of values has seemed in other states,
and especially in those where the Democrats
have ruled, sufficient justification for a
very wide departure from the old theories.