The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-07-25
MIR. LORDS LETTER OF ACCEP-
LANCE.

LANCE.
The Hon. Samuel Lord of Saco. famil-
iarly known as Honest Sam, - has writ
ten letter accepting the Democratic
nomination for the governorship. The full
text of the document is given elsewhere.
1t deals principally with State affairs.
In few brief paragraphs he commends
the declarations of the national platform
on the subjects of imperialism and trusts,
but has not a word to say in regard to
silver. Two years ago Mr.. Lord made
in the slang OF the day. bluff at sWal-
lowing free silver, but it was not a grace
full performance and he has wisely con-
cluded not to repeat it this year.
Turning to State matters Mr.. Lord
throws little sop to the labor vote by
expressing the opinion that labor is not
getting fair share of its own product, and
endorsing the 5S hour law. We imagine
that Mr.. Lord has not investigated very
thoroughly either the question of proper
tiona1 compensation or the question of
still further reducing the hours of labor.
His opinions while honest enough, are
probably lacking in that full understand
ing of the case which is needed to give
opinions of this sort much value. But If
Justice and regard for the welfare Of the
laboring man demand further Legislation
in his behalf it is entirely unnecessary to
turn the State over to the Democracy to
secure it. The Republicans have already
enacted m UGH legislation for the benefit
of the 1aboring man, and will not hesi-
tate to enact more when anything really
practical and desirable is asked for. A
party in hopeless minority, as the Dem
ocrats are in his State, can, without any
danger, commit itself to any sort of pro-
gramme, inasmuch as it VIII never be
called upon to carry it out 1t does not
have to stop to consider whether thing
is practical or not. If it wears a prima
facie air of desirability that is enough.
Mr.. Lord agrees with the Democratic
platform that railroad commissioners
ought to be elected by the people. Adj
Knitting for the sake of the argument that
the present board of commissioners has
been too attentive to the wishes of certain
interests, would matters be improved by
their selection by popular voter If the
&1V6
and thought to the selection of their Off
Gals which they ought we should an
swer in the ALTERNATIVES; but while the
present tendency exists to commit practi-
cally their selection to the hands of a very
few the answer must be in the negatives
Under the present system it is easy to fix
the responsibility for bad appointment,
and that fact tends of itself to good ap-
pointments. But with the present in
difference in regard to party nominations
it would be very easy for designing in
terests to put in nomination such men as
they thought might be serviceahle to
them and practically escape all RESPONSE
bility. We do not think that all of the
appointments made to this position have
been what they should be, but we do not
believe that while the people are as apa-
thetic as now anything would be gained
by making the office an elective instead of
an appointive one.
On the question of the desirabiIity of
revising the tax system there is no differ
ence of opinion between the parties. Both
have endorsed revision, and both profe S.
an Intention to make such revision as
will be fair and equitable to all interests.
Mr.. Lords remarks upon this subject
call for no comment
1t is unfortunate that the question of
creating State auditor has become. bv
reason of resolutions on the subject by
the two conventions, to some extent
partisan question. 1t ought to be decided
purely on it's merits. The mere
fact that the Republicans hav
endorsed the scheme is not a
sufficient reason for anybody to vote for
it, nor is the fact that the Democrats have
opposed it sufficient reason for anybody
to vote against it, Such considerations
as would guide the stockholders OF a COR