Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-09-12
RALLY
HELD IN CHELSEA,
Strong Speeches by Cong. Cole and
Sen. HeseIton ---Ha|f Truths CirCu-
lated by Democrats Shown Up.

Chelsea. Me, Sept. 11.-(SpeciaD-
At G Republican rally in Chelsea
Thursday night, Congressman Cole of
Ohio and Hon. George w Heselton of
was held in the chapel at the Four
Corners. Patrick Hayes presiding,
there was a large attendance and great
interest was manifested throughout the
meeting, which occupied two hours
and a half, not closing until half past
ten. MIR. Heselton was the first speak
er and confined his remarks to county
and state matters.
He claimed that while criticism of
acts of the Republican party should
be encouraged. yet the Democrats who
make these criticisms should offer
some law OF measure which was bet
ter. He claimed that the general crit
iclsm of increased expenses should be
shown by the Democrats to have been
unnecessary or something which they
opposed in the Legislature, and not to
leave TO the imagination to ill in a
charge OF extravaganza and misman
agement if they could show that any
one of these expenses was incurred un-
wisely He then took up in detail the
cause OF the increased expenses of the
State, touching upon the increase OF
salaries by reason of change from fee
system to a salary in the State and
county offices, and illustrated by the
use OF this system in the attorney
to-. ,tfin
which had benefited the State in rev.
enucs of $4,000 or $4,000 annually.
Step by step he argued the fact that
the Republicans had made their APP
preparations along the lines of econo-
my and for the benefit of the State,
showing that the taxes which are di-
rectly levied upon the mills. farms,
homes and places of business are less
by $25,00U than the amount received
by the different municipalities in the
State for educational purposes, for SOL
diers pensions and State roads. He
then discussed how those revenues
were obtained by indirect taxation by
the State. The question of the tax re-
bate for railroads was analysed and the
conduct of the Democrats in the pass
age of that legislation was criticized.
he then said:
The Republicans come forward and
frankly say that they endorse these
expenditures and these laws; they be-
lieve they were made for the wise pur-
pose of developing the resources of the
state and lettering the conditions of
our citizens; they give YOU the reasons
OF their belief. Has any Democrat
pointed out a single expenditure he
would have opposed or single eX-
penditure he would have curtailed had
he the opportunity? Ask them to spec
ify one and give reasons. Then and
then only are they furnishing to you
an opportunity to judge of their wis
dom as constructive legislators over
that of the Republicans. They have
q great opportunity in such position
beca Use a hind sight Is better than
foresight for seeing the imperfections
of all measures and acts. public and
private And even with this adVan-
tage, l doubt if they can indicate one
measu which is bad legislation and
confidently say that they cannot
show one which was not conceived
for a worthy object or one which was
not intended to work FOR the good of
our people or state. They certainly
cannot point to the Sturgis commits
sion law and say it's objects We're not
intended for the good of the State.
realize that the proper regulation
If the sale of intoxicating liquors Is
one of the most difficult problems
which not only confronts the law MAX
,rs but also the people. We all agree
that the traffic in intoxicants should
be regulated by some law, even while
We may honestly differ as to what Is
the best form of law to give that reg
ulation. Some honest temperance men
believe in prohibition. others in high
license and still others in license ana
local option. l never saw good CIT
izen, however. who had the weifare
of his country. his state. his town or
his family at heart. who did not De
lieye in some strict regulation whlch
tended to limit the evil of the sale or
intoxicating liquors into its smallest
compass. We know that 1t Will be sold
and drank as long as manufactured,
hut I believe every honest citizen VIII
admit that that civilized community is
host off where the least liquor is sold
and drank for a beverage. How to ac
complish this regulation and attain
the best results some law must be en-
acted and enforced. For so years a
ma iority Of our people have agreed on
the prohibitory law as the one when
seems the best to cope with this evil
and for 90 years the State constitution
has prohibited the manufacture and
sale of Intoxicating liquor. I say that
the majority of our people wanted the
prohihitory law else it would have been
changed by the Legislatures which from