Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-08-20
A Little Mistake in Figures.

The Portland Press points out that
candidate Davis, in his speech at Rock
land made a little mistake of nearly
half a million dollars in one of his
arguments regarding the increase in
State expenditures. That is, with the
object of showing the vast wasteful-
ness and corruption of our lawmakers
in these degenerate times, he said that
in 1852 the State expenditures We're
only s640,117 and on that basis he
made his comparisons and proceeded to
attack the present administrations of
State affairs. The Argus and other
Democratic organs accepted his figures
and statements as gospel. and solemnly
disc upon "the 300 per cent. in
crease" in State expenditures. and the
resulting hardships for the taxpayers
of Maine. But the Press goes to the
reports of the State treasurer and finds
that the total expenditures for 1882
were $1,G99,S3O which is $449,O53 great
er than the amount given by Mr.. Davis.
1t is not unfair to assume that the peo-
pie of the State will believe the figures
| of the State treasurer rather than those
| of the Waterville gentleman who enter
tains the laudable ambition of being
governor. 1t is equally certain that
Mr.. Davis did not wilfully give the
wrong figures. He is not that kind OF
a man. He was simply little hurried
and careless when he looked up his
data, and a little Over-anXiOus to make
out an impressive case for his side.
| But it was really unkind and incon-
siderate Of the Press to point out the
He and his editors and campaign man.
ayers have been caught in SO many
similar mistakes during the mathemat-
ical carnival in which they have en-
gagged, that their big pile of ammuni-
tion is fast reaching the vanishing
point and the laughs of the people who
refuse to be fooled are making their
life a burden rather than the picnic
they expected. The usually sweet dis
position of the editor Of Mr.. Davis
personal organ is becoming sour under
the strain and he is saying things he
will be sorry for when the early frosts.
which will blight the hopes of the De-
mocracy cool his fevered brain.
AS a matter of fact, that little mis-
take Of half a million doesn't matter
much, after all. If the mistake had
been a million and it had been stated
that in 1882 the affairs of the State
were managed with little or no finan-
cial outlay, people of Maine would not
have been surprised. The Democ-
racy has always made mistakes
at every opportunity, and why
shouldn't it get all entangled
in the facts and figures when it
jugsles them for campaign purposes
The people of Maine are too Intelligent
W oc ON tlle Ddlt Dy the
Democratic leaders. They know that
the State is prosperous; that its debt
is fast decreasing; that the young are
being educated; that the old soldiers are
cared for; that the State institutions
are well managed; that the public off,
cials are honest and faithful; that the
burden of taxation was never less; and
that II the State expenditures are
greater now than they were, 20 years
ago the increase is justified and de-
manded by the increasing wealth, pop
ulation, business and needs of the
State, and that it has been fully au-
thorized by the representatives of the
people.