The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-01-14
Gov. Fernald Address.

Gov. Fernald Address.
Gov. Fernald's inaugural address
came III for good deal of favorable
comment around the state house and
among citizens generally. 1t cont aims
suggestions for good many quiet re-
forms in the State machinery, many
of which have long been advocated,
particularly the proposed changes in
certain corporation laws. His liber-
allity as shown in the recommended
tion5 for extensions and improve
ments to penal, reformatory and
charitable institutions, in order to
keep them up to date and in line of
! procession with other states, met with
Operative favor with all the listen
ers. 1t was with glad acclaim that
the women listened to his advocacy
of the raise in salary of Maine school
teachers, and the general plan for
for higher educational efficiency.
Gov. Fernald's stand on the temper
ance issue was pronounced, and
solidly in favor of the prohibitory law,
and all the machinery that is now in
force to keep the law close up to the
handle. His sentiments, strong and
comprehensively as they were given
on this subject, surprised some, not
but they expected he would favor the
prohibitory law, but that he might
possibly suggest some cancellations in
regard to the Sturgis form of enforce
ment, especially in view of the fact
that the feeling has SO long been in
the air that one of the first moves OF
the 74th legislature would be to at
tempt a repeal. Gov. Fernald's sen
timents as expressed would seem to
infer that any attempt to repeai.
would meet with veto on the part OF
the chief executive, forcing the legis
lature a least into a two-third vote
on the question, vote not always SO
easy to Obtain. There is little doubt
but that this portion of the message
was as anxiously awaited as any pas
age, as there was great curiosity to
see just how the subject would be
treated.
His views on the taxation problems
were, we'll received. and the broad
horizon displayed in the suggestions
for the conservation of the forests OF
Maine and the development of the
water powers of the State, met with
A quite generally respol sive chord.
Gov Fernald has a loud clear and
Z
Ue distinctly heard in all parts OF the
big auditorium.
Gov. Fernald's address was as follows.
The oath OF office taken here today III
the presence OF the people of Maine has
/ become a solemn covenant binding them
/ and me.
Behind US both. as a guide and pro-
i lection of that covenant. is the consttu-
/ ton OF Maine, which both the legisia.
tive and the executive departments OF
! this government have now sworn to OBJ
serve and to cherish Under the provl
sions of that constitution. the powers
/ of this government were divided into
three distinct departments, legislative
executive. and judicial, with the ex-
press declaration therein that no person
belonging to one department shall eN-
ercse the powers belonging to either of
the others Against any usurptlon OF
preroCltive, against oversteppinE the
dividing line between your duties and
mine. | hereby give YOU the pledge OF
my solemn purpose thereto, and with
i the notification that l shall exact the
Same obligatio from you. And also
in order to emphasize ths Importance OF
i this principle Of good government, and
further to define the duties and powers
/ OF the executive department under those
sections which relate to a distribution oil
the same may | call To your attention
/ the apt expressions Of few Of the ear
ner chief executives Of our state upon
this same important question. which
seem TO me to serve us so fuy both
to counsel and admonish that l beg you
to hearkcn to them today as to the voice
of wisdom from out the past
Standing here sixtY-eight years ago
today Governor Kent distinguished alike
/ as a lawyer and an executive. said to
j both branches Of the Legislature. This
ba 4
! between the distinct departments of the
+ government OF Maine. and the definitions
| of the functions OF thu same would re-
strain me from attempting to dictate OF
. direct the subjects or the course of leg
islation, but the constitution OF Maine
also makes II the duty OF the governor
to give the Legislature Information as
to the condition OF our state. and 10
/ recommend to its consideration such
measu as he may judge expedient. and
in fulfilling this direction l wish to be
regarded as performing a duty strictly
| enjoined upon me by my guide and dl-
rectory in the discharge OF my duty. and
| ask and desire for my views no other
weight OF influence hut such as they max
be entitled to upon full and sober con-
sideration. In my opinion, the great
Characteristic feature of our government
is to be found in this careful
and Jealous distribution Of power and
each department to keep strictly within
its own limit and 20 beware of infring-
ing upon or assuming the power right
fully belonging to another With an un-
doubling assurance that the rights, pow
ers. and responsibilities conferred on the
executive will not upon your part be in
terfered with or assailed. | can assure
you that it will be my pleasure, as II
is my duty. to leave the Legislature and
all other departments to the free, full
and uninterrupted performance OF the
duties enjoincd upon them
Lot Morrili's View.
| Exactly fifty years ago, TO day, Coy
ernor Lot NJ. Morrill, also stood in this
place and said The checks provided
not only in the two distinct branches
Of the leglsla ture. but also in the par
ticipation OF the executive indicate with
what jealous care these important func-
lions have been guarded"
Governor Enoch Lincoln in 1927 re
ferred TO duties appropriate exclusively tc
his once. and Governor Hubbard wen
farther than this and even declared thai
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