The Republican journal., 1905-01-12

PTOpOrLlOnate or even llueIdA IcuuHeI-
alton. 1t Is not unlikely, too, that an
unusual or unexpected diminution OF
fees might seriously and unfairly i'm
pair the income of an official who re-
lied upon them to afford reasonable
salary. This question engaged the at
tention of the last legislature, and the
two leading political parties in the
State have publicly and formally de-
clared themselves in opposition to the
present method of paying certain State
and County officials. l therefore rec
ommend that the fee system, so-called,
be abolished, and that in its place you
establish by legislation system pro-
viding for the payment of a fixed and
adequate salary to all those persons
who have been placed in Office by the
people or by the legislature, and who
In public capacity serve the State
or Counties.
In referring to the recent death of
Ezra Curtis Stevens, late Superintend-
ent of Public Buildings, l am very sure
that the many among you who knew
him, will recognize the propriety of
using this occasion for the purpose OF
paying brief but sincere tribute to
his memory. Mr.. Stevens was most
efficient State official His term OF
service was long and in different ca
pacities, but it was in the care and
improvement of this building and
these halls that he particularly ex-
hibited his abilities as competent,
energetic and conscientious public
servant. All who met him will recall
his fine qualities of heart and mind,
his gentleness and unfailing courtesy,
and we whom a kind fortune made his
friends will hold him always in CRATE
full recollection.
1t has not seemed to me necessary
or expedient in this paper and at this
time, to present for your considera-
ton information of the condition Of
the State" except in most general
terms. The reports submitted by the
various Departments, Boards and Com
missions contain the complete and pre-.
else details of their operations and
scope, and will undoubtedly receive
your careful attention and thought
have preferred instead to discuss some
what in detail the questions of reduc-
ing the State tax and abolishing the
fee system. and to make definite recon-
mendations for their treatment at
your hands. There are other matters
Of moment and Importance that will
appeal to your solicitude and judg.
ment for decision. When these be-
come the subjects of legislative in
quiry and action, and both necessity
and propriety seem to require an ex-
preston of my views, l shall venture
to declare them in accordance with the
privilege granted by the Constitution
to the Governor of the State.
But | do not mean to close this ad-
dress without speaking of a public
question that lies very close to the
heart and conscience of thousands of
the men and women of this State, and
one that should and believe does ap-
peal to every law-abiding citizen for a
prompt and righteous settlement
refer to the existing prohibitory
law, so-called, and to the condition of
its practical non enforcement in many
OF our cities and towns. l cannot hope
to bring to its discussion new IDEAS
nor by the aid of unfamiliar argu-
ments to throw new light upon the
cause | believe it my duty to sustain
but can and do avail myself of this
opportunity to ask you to look at the
fundamental truths and facts of this
question, stripped of the covering that
prejudice, partisanship and selfish
ness have inevitably and continuously
laid upon them. and to decide as cit
liens and legislators where your duties
lie in the treatment of the greatest
issue that ever confronted the people
of this State. This is an appeal not
for legislation but for the exercise of
good citizenship; not for party advan-
tage, but for public welfare.
Here is law that was placed upon
the Statute books in obedience to the
and purpose was to improve the con-
dition of society by limiting the OPP
portunities to crafty an appetite
whose possession may be one of the
frailties of human nature It's most
earnest advocates never believed that
it would entirely eradicate the evils
against which it was directed, but once
4 law, they had the right-and they
have it still-to expect that it's en-
forcement would be attempted by
sworn officials with the same energy,
persistency and honesty that generally
characterize the action OF such officials
in enforcing other laws. Has this al
ways been done? Every intelligent cit
1zen knows it has not, and that in this
statement is contained the reasons for
past and present difficulties and the
suggestion for remedy.
A wholesome respect for law is the
natural heritage of the people of
Maine. very large majority of those
who favor the maintenance and en-
forcement of the prohibitory law do so
because they believe that in that law
is provided the best method of repress-
ing and correcting an undoubted evil
They are not welded to it as such,
alone, but advocate it simply because
in their judgment 1t is the best avail
able means to accomplish a certain and
necessary end. They form the ele-
ment in our body-politic that placed
the law on the statute-books and
keeps it there These people are not
fanatics. They are law-abiding, rea-
sonable and sincere, would be the last
to claim infallib1lity and the first to
respond to sound suggestion for civic
progress But above all they respect
law and realize that in it's general and
ready observance lies the hope and
promise of good government. Their
position briefly stated is this; they be-
lieve first that the prohibitory law
furnishes practical method of lessen
Ing the sale and consequent use of in
toxicating liquors, and second that in
asmuch as that law is on our statute
books. it should be enforced with Wig
or, determination and uniformity. The
moral strength of their position lies i'm