Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-04
the congestion Of which there Is so
much just complaint.

the congestion Of which there Is SO
much just complaint
There are other public questions
which while not involving the expen-
diture of large sums of money affect
to very marked degree the welfare
OF the State. and which should be dis
cussed and settled by this Legislature
If we are to continue to be progress.
i've and mindful Of the peoples rights.
The belief IA the soundness and ef.
fcacy of the principle of the initiative
and referendum as means to enable
the citizens to express more directly
and promptly their opinion OF pro-
posed legislation has become very
general in Maine, and has been recog-
nized in the platforms of both politi-
cal parties. We may safely assume,
therefore, that these declarations
were made in good faith, and l heart
lily approve the adoption OF a measure
that shall give them a practical and
binding effect The friends OF the
principle have a very clear knowledge
of its meaning and purposes. and will
vigorously oppose any effort that may
be made to grant form at the expense
Of substance.
also advocate and recommend a
revision of the statutes governing the
method Of balloting for elective Offices
at the polls. Every reasonable facil-
ity should be furnished the voter to
exercise his right of suffrage in secret
and without fear or favor, and his de.
sire and privilege to register his pref
erence for any individual nominee or
candidate should not be hampered or
defeated by the opportunities of
party organization. Party organiza-
tion is both proper and essential. but
it should be the servant of the voter,
not his master. And this principle II
admitted to be correct one, should
be applied to the regulation of the
proceedings at primaries, SO that
every safeguard thrown about the
final action OF the voter at the polls
may be at his disposal during all the
preliminaries attending the selection
Of candidates.
especially urge you to change and
improve the laws bearing upon the
question of child labor in this State.
dren themselves are helpless. You
must be their champions, and neither
the thoughtlessness of parents nor the
mitted to interfere with the perform
ance of the States manifest duty to
provide, as best she may, for the NOR
al, physical and educational welfare
of these children to whom uEfortun-
ately so many of the pleasures and op-
portunities of childhood are denied
The present manner Of observing
Fast Day contains so little Of the SEN
frQ RI f,f it.sO
secration, that it seems almost a
mockery to publicly ask for its rccog-
milton and then see It's original spirit
SO universally perverted and ignored
I believe that our people generally
would not approve a lessened number
of holidays, and that we have none
too many legalized now and devoted
by common consent to recreation and
pleasure. But unless the name of this
particular holiday be changed so that
the expected manner of it's observance
shall bear some reasonable relation
to its avowed purpose, recommend
that it be abolished.
Two years ago, speaking in this
place and under similar circumstance
es, ventured the assertion that the
public condition resulting from the
notification of the prohibitory law
was the greatest issue confronting the
people of Maine. The representatives
of the people met that issue, recog-
nized its Importance and the Sturgis
law was enacted, a measure designed
for no purpose other than to correct
or lessen the evils of notification.
Under it's provisions the Enforcement
Commission was appointed, and for
about eighteen months Maine has wit
messed the unusual spectacle of men
clothed with legal authority, but oper-
ating directly through Executive op-
ton and initiative, performing some
of the functions of certain officials
elected by popular vote, who either
wilfully or lacking both courage and
ability have neglected the duties i'm
posed upon them by their oath OF of.
fee. Probably no single piece of leg
islation placed on our Statute Books
has ever caused so much general dis
cussion or created such intense and
bitter differences Of opinion and dis
sessions as the Sturgis law. l cherish
no illusions In regard to it. l know
It is condemned by many as false in
principle and contrary to the spirit of
our institutions, expensive, inefficient.
the outgrowth Of political necessity
and the last desperate attempt of fan
atheism to check the swelling move
ment for q liberal and cosmopolitan
treatment of the liquor problem.
know that hostile sentiment hastens
to censurc not only the law ftseK, but
the men charged with its enforcement
Gad tnetf n,esholA TAet: taifasss ne
mngniacd ana ffdicu1cd. tasfr success
es overlooked Or balittled. their SIN
eerity Of purpose and hcnesty Of mo
tive openly and often fnaal5cicusI7
Questioned. and the belief assidncasiy
cultivated and encouraged that tney
are the known disturberB Of the peace,
the real enemies Of order. Bat these
arguments, criticisms and accusations
are neither unanswerable nor unas'
sailable Many of them are palpabiy
superficial and unfair, and the Sturgis
law will stand or fall by a fair presen'
tation Of the facts and their rigorous
ANALYSIS. not by the demands of self
interested prejudice or the exigencies
and hopes OF any political party.
, There will be placed before you al