Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-08-25
Maine Under Republican Rule.

orators say, we should think that
Maine had either gone to the demni-
ton bow-wows or was on it's way.
We are told that prohibition has
undermined our morals and that Re-
publican government has ruined US
financially. These things sound strik-
ing when hurled from the stump by
forceful speaker-indeed, they often
elicit applause: but if even our Demo-
cratic brethren We're writing a seri-
Gus history of our times they would
include neither statement.
And why?
For the very good and sufficient
reason that they aren't true.
Let us put the question Of the
former up to you, Mr.. Voter. Regard
less of what part of Maine you live
in, let US ask you whether you believe
your neighbors are a race of
hypocrites and liars? AS matter of
fact. don't you believe your friends
ard neighbors are about as honest and
kindly as the people you have found
when visiting other parts of the coun-
try? There may be a man here and
there-indeed it is almost foregone
conclusion that there is-who will
class among the liars and hypocrites,
but knowing his antecedents as you
probably do, are you going to charge
up his iniquity to prohibition or admit
that heredity may be responsible?
We are putting this up to you, Mr..
Voter. as an individual question be-
cause in the final analysis the ques-
ton Of whether Maine is a State Of
liars and hypocrites is one of In
dividuals. If you live in Aroostook,
you may think that all the liars and
hypocrites are to be found in some
other section, but just remember that
all those other folks are but neighbOrs
of someone else who holds them in
the same esteem that you do your
own immediate acquaintances.
If you carefully canvass your own
neighborhood and find that it is filled
with liars and hypocrites and can
conscientiously affirm that prohibition
made them so, you will be fully justi-
fled in accepting the Democratic
orators say-so at 100 cents on the
dollar.
On the other hand if you cannot
conscientiously so affirm, you must
admit that there is some hypocrisy in
the argument of Democracy-in fact
quite a lot Of hypocrisy, though not
enough, we trust, to justify Mr.. Card
ner in planting a rumshop on every
corner and allowing them to run full
blast for the next 20 years.
Now for the second claim OF Demo-
cracy-that Republican government
has ruined US financially
This, Mr.. Voter. is not claim to
be answered by the say-so of any
speaker, but from the official records
These records are open to the in
spection of all and the story that they
tell is not one of bankruptcy, extrava-
gance and oppression
Instead it is a story OF progress.
prudence and good stewardship. Year
after year, in good times and hard, the
State has been seeking to clear up the
great debt incurred by the war for the
Union There have been set-backs in
the past but the end is now in sight
and thanks to wise management of
State finances the day of emancipation
has been brought many years nearer
during the last two administration.
Governor Hill began to make heavy
inroads on the burden and Governor
Cobb has carried on the policy with
mastery strength. In the first three
years of his administration he wiped
$500 900 off the slate! And when he
gives way to Governor Fernald next
January Maine will owe less than
100000
That will appeal to the man who
has served his city or town as NUM-
cipal officer. The citizen who has 10
do with municipal finance knows
that debt reduction isn't a sign of
reckless, extravagant administration.
even if the Democrats say it Is
This reduction in debt is good
thing in it's way but it's importance
will appear more striking when
coupled with the statement that 1t has
been accomplished without recourse
to niggardly policy in dealing with
the worthy objects of State benefi-
cence and without increasing the
burden of the individual citizen. 1t is
a matter Of record that the State has
shown increasing liberality in dealing
with the classes and the institutions
which require financial assistance. 1t
has been doing more and more for
the unfortunates in it's asylums for
hnc