Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-03-25
AS A LAwMAKER.
Some Statutes For Which Hon. VIM.
+. Haines Is Responsible.


All who keep informed upon Maine men
know that Hon. William T. Haines, of
Waterviile, one of the aspirants for the
honor which, by the way, he seems almost
certain to secure, is not only prominent
attorney but also one Of the leading busi-
ness men Of the State as well, man who
has interested himself in mills, lumber,
railroads, banks, waterworks and many
other enterprises in which he has been
uniformly successful. 1t is not as well
known that Mr.. Haines has been a leader
in legislative matters as we'll, and has
framed some of the most important mat
ters of legislation ever enacted in the Pine
Tree state.
Mr.. Haines was one of the first men in
Maine to realize the importance OF Names
vast fish and game resources. He saw that
by proper protective measures and scien-
tifie methods, Maine had most valua BILE
asset in its fish and game. He made the
first move toward its development by
the organization OF the kenne bec
county sportsmen's association, and as
long ago as 1893 he built the Belgrade
hatchery and employed wardens in that
section. From this slight start came the
Maine sportsmen's association, and later
came the movement for the appoint ment
of State commission which really b I'D its
origin in Mr.. Haines' Kennebec county
association.
While member of the House in 1895
Mr.. Haines advocated the creation of
State commission to have general over
sight of the improvement OF the highways
He argued that over million dollars were
annually wasted on the roads. The State
felt poor at that time, but Mr.. HaiDes kent
at il, and framed the till for the esta blish-
ment of State highway commissioner
which was passed in 1905, and for which
office vastly increased appropriation was
made by the last Legislature.
Mr.. Haines has always stood for equita-
BILE tax laws, and it was the fight made in
the State Senate in 1889 for the equalization
OF taxation that eventually resulted in the
creation of the present board of State
assessors.
Mr.. Haines was the author of the
amendment to the constitution recurring
educational qualification for voters, and in
1889 framed the bill for the present regis
tration law which was adopted two years
later.
During the same session he inaugurated
campaign for the reasonable regulation
by the State OF railroad rstes and fares.
and the outcome of this fight was the
adoption of the two-cent mileage, direct
benefit to every body. In his argument in
favor of the regulation of rates, MIR.
Haines followed the same line as argued
in Congress at the time of the passage OF
the interstate commerce bill.
These are but few of the important
matters OF legislation in hich Mr. Haipes
had ! active part. During his member
ship in the legislature, and later in the ex-
ecutivc council, he showed himself to be a
wise and thoughtful legislator, never de-
sertiDg the substance for the shadow. and
while progressive and modern, still pru-
dent and economical.
1t is not in the least remarkable to those
who know the record OF the man that tn e
republican voters of the State are hasten
ing to place themselves beneath his BAN
ner.