Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-09-01
MAINE CAMPAIGN.

Newport, Me, Aug. 31.-(SpeciaD =
The Republicans of Newport held a
very enthusiastic rally here tonight at
the Town hall. Hon. Frank l.. Dutton
OF Augusta and Hon. Scott Wilson of
Portland were the speakers. DR.. Byron
Porter presided and made brief adj
dress. Mr.. Dutton spoke first occupy
ing about one hour. He discussed State
and national issues, beginning by say
ing that he was proud of the history of
the State OF Maine and had great
hopes for her future and that We were
just entering upon new era Of in
dustrial and agricultural development.
He discussed the effect that the protcc-
tive tariff has had in increasing and
sustaining our manufacturing indus
tries, particularly as to cotton and
wooden goods, lumber and wood pulp.
the effect Of the protective tariff on
agricultural products. Passing to state
issues he showed the fallacies OF Dem
ocratic argument in the criticism Of
state finances. He said the Democrats
We're using resubmission to divert the
attention of the voters from the great
increase in wealth under Republican
administration.
The chairman introduced Hon. Scott
Wilson, who was enthusiastically re-
ceived. Both addresses We're frequently
interrupted by applause and even the
Democrats present said il was Il most
successfully rally.
Mr. Wilson after taking up Bryan
and lis policies and describing him as
an O1portuniSt who in each successive
campaign has seized upon some dis
satisfaction and coined attractive
catch phrases to catch the untEnlling
voter. He then took up the several is
sues declared in the Democratic state
platform to be the important issues of
this campaign. On the question of tax
reform he showed by statistics that
while the Democratic party had been
talking about it the Republican par
ty had enacted legislation under
which the tax on railroads during the
past 10 years had increased $4,000.
The income from the organization of
business corporations and the fran
ch;se tax had in the same time in
creased S260000, also that the increase
in the tax OH telephone. telegraph, in
Sufance, express companies and on
wild lands had increased in the last 10
years some $1500O0 or more.
On the question of State expendi-
lures he showed that while the State
debt had been reduced s690,O0O in three
years and the tax rate had not in
creased. the state had expended in 1897
81 $50 900 more than in 1897, but that
nearly 100000 of this increase was for
public education. charities and state
beneficiaries. agriculture. State roads.
protection Of fish and game. increase
in the salaries of public officials and
enforcement of the Sturgis law. nearly
all of which was put in by Democratic
and Republican legislators alike. He
then took up the question Of resubmis-
ion and the Sturgis law and the
proposition in the Republican platform
to give the Governor authority to re-
move the shcrffs.
Mr.. Wilson argued that as a mat
ter of law and i'll theory either of
these methods Of securing enforcement
was consistent with our theory Of
government. The Governor is directed
by the Constitution of the state 70
enforce its laws. The county officials
are in reality only state officials elect
ed by subdivisions of the State Gre
ated by The Legislature. Why. then. in
theory, should not the Legislature. II
that method failed to secure enforce
ment create another set Of officials or
authorize the Governor to remove any
officials who had failed to enforce the
laws of the state. He showed that this
was no new theory in this State, be-
cause originally the sheriffs in Dem
ocratic times previous to 1850 were ap-
pointed by the Governor and in New
York today the governor may remove
a sheriff. district attorney or other
county official who fails to do his duty
Mr. Wilson closed with brief dis
cussion of the relative merits Of the
two Guhernatorial candidates.