The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-01-22
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VI
Maine has long been conducted is subject of
just pride and congratulation to our citizens;
and everybody will concur in the general
proposition that care should be taken to
guard against any departure from the whole
some systems which have been the character
istic feature of the state. In his message of
the 10Th inst, laying before the Legislature
detailed statement of the expenditures for
1874, Gov. Dingley says "that the expendi-
lures of the state are controlled by considera-
tions of economy to an extent rarely observed
in public affairs and that the opportunities
for retrenchment are comparatively few"
Yet to guard against any tendency toward
lapse from the Spartan simplicity of the state,
he suggests several points in which expenses
may be still further reduced; and such sug-
gestions should be welcomed and respectfully
considered by the Legislature and the people.
There comes a rumor from the state capi-
tai that there is a tendency to ridicule some of
the proposed reductions on the ground that
they are trivial, bat il is probable that the
ieers ON the subject are to some extent attrib-
utable to parties whose personal and selfish
interests run counter to the recommendations
of the Governor. It is not necessary to ac-
cept all the propositions in order to get good
out of the action indicated. Such things as
are trivial, if any there be, can be passed by;
but the salutary reforms should not be per-
mitted to fall under sneers, which are the
usual resort where argument fails.
We submit that those who have carefully
read the document referred to will conclude
that, in the main, it is timely, judicious and
practical unless they hold to the opinion that
the affairs of government are not to be
managed with that degree Ct prudence and
regard for economy which make private
transactions successful. Gov. Dingley has
placed before the Legislature, item by item,
the expendt ures of the past year and sug-
gested points where the taxpayers money
| can be saved. What then is the sum of his
offending? In what direction has he tran
scended his official duty? Wherein has he
been meddling? Will some party try some
other method of breaking down this move
ment for economy than ridcule? Never be-
| lUIC LIDS d ICS, udu oCG UCiOiC IL tuC
expenditures of the state. Perhaps economy
was never so much OF consideration as at
present. Be this as it may, when the state
is heard from, when the taxpayers great and
small are returned, they will be found on the
side of the Executive and the legislators who
have a care for their burdens. Further than
this the Republican party is pledged to ad-
minister the government with economy.
Are these pledges to go for nothing? Are
they simply introduced to fill out the annual
platform and tickle the average voter? We
rather think not and il will be bad day for
the party when its rank and file come to re-
gard the promises of leaders to relieve them
of their burdens as mere figures of speech.
But we are assured that retrenchment and
the cutting off of growing abuses will ALLEVIATE
reminds US of three -and-a-half years old
George who recently met his paternal ances-
tor with the question: "Papa, what 90 doin
to dive me to teep me dood?" 1t isn't the
taxpayers whom the Legislature should be
solicitous about, but the few who must be
kept IOydi anu DrdVc, anu oil tudt Is SOou
and noble, by great and small favors. If
George isn't kept good, there will be tu-
multi in the house but it should not be forgot
ten that although George can make it very
unpleasant for time, he cannot disband the
household. The bigger George who is max
ing fuss about measures of Ietrenchment
and economy would do well to bear this in
mind.
Always the most economical of govern
ments, with the fewest possible leaks, with
no just ground for any kind of scandal, it
should be the pride of every man who loves
and believes in Maine, to keep it so and to
that end jealousy watch for and aid in check
ing any tendency to abuses or extravaganza
of any kind.
We are confident the Legislature will care
fully consider the communication of Gov.
Dingley and, in the essential features, give
it practical effect.
1t is quite probable that on consideration
some of the Governors suggestions may not
prove practical, but the whole subject will
doubtless receive the careful consideration of
the able committee to which it is referred
the Financial. "@9aD