Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-25
Governor Cobb and the Work Of the
Session.

ty-second legislature would be incom-
plete which did not recognize the i'm
portant part taken by Governor Coop
in e-guarding State interests
against hasty and ill-considered legis-
lation. in holding appropriations with
in proper limits, and in seeing that the
pledges made by the Republican party
to the voters Of Maine in the September
campaign were honestly carried out.
1t was early understood about the
Capitol that while Governor COBB was
not in favor of dealing with the estap-
lished institutions of the State IN any
narrow or niggardly spirit. he was not
disposed to look with favor upon the
establishment of new ones, nor upon
any appropriation that could not be
justified upon the grounds of a sound
business policy This OutspOken at
titude of Governor Cobb was most
potent influence during the entire ses-
sion, and was, unquestionably, re-
sponsible for the death of number of
bills that did not measure up to these
standards
When Governor Cobb stated to the
people of Maine last fall that he would
to the full extent of his power and in
huence, enforce the prohibtory law as
faithfully as the other laws of the
state. he was not talking for mere po-
litical effect. That has never been his
way. He is direct, outspOken and alb
solutely sincere in all his relations.
He does not deviate from the strict
standard Of absolute honesty in his
private or official life. This fact has
impressed itself most forcefully upon
all who have come in contact with
him. and the members of the seventy
second Legislature will carry to their
homes a warm personal appreciation of
the sterling qualities of the strong.
able man whom the people Of Maine
have placed at the head Of our State
government. His circle of friends has
grown constantly with the widening
circle of his acquaintance. To know
him is to honor him.
Governor Cobb is the best type of d
temperance man. He is temperate
man. A lifelong teetOtaler, he has
lived the principles he stands for and
advocates. He has stood unequivOcally
for Il faithful enforcement of the stat
ute Iaw-an honest living up to the
platform pledges of the Republican
party. The passage of the Sturgis bill
will. in the opinion of its friends, bring
about this result and give the State an
era of uniform and honest enforcement
OF the prohibitory law by rendering it
impossible for sheriffs or other exec
utive officers charged with the respon-
sibility of such enforcement to evade,
successfully, their official obligations.
Indeed the enactment of this measure
of the Pencil law in Cumberland
county. 1t is safe to say that executive
officers in more of the counties will,
hereafter, undertake to usurp or eXer-
else legislative functions. In this fact
will be found a powerful impetus to
the up-building Of that public respec:
for law. upon which largely depends
the welfare of the community. and the
peace and security of the home. which
lied society.
The first requisite of fair test of
any law lies in it's honest, faithful and
uniform enforcement. The advantages
of enforced prohibition in one county
are largely lost if a wide OPEN policy
is permitted to prevail in an adjoining
county.
The people of Maine are its sover-
eigns. Their will is the ultimate law of
our State. II they do not want prOhi-
bition it is in their power to do away
with it; but before they can judge of
the merits of prohibition. they must
have real prohibition, not in a few
counties. but in all the counties of the
state. When such test has actually
been made. and not till then, will they
care to express an opinion upon the
question of resubmission.
So far as Governor Cobb is concerned,
the citizens of orr State have found
out that pledges made by him as a
candidate have been fully lived up to
as Chief Executive. The people of
Maine have had, a growing admiration
for him, as they have come more and
more to recognize his sterling quail
ties of head and heart. Surely our
voters made no mistake in bestowing
upon him the highest office in their
gift.