Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-01-13

have to repent at leisure. but let NJ not
be afraid to go ahead. While the best
of tax systems Is bound to be faulty
that system is absolutely vicious and un-
speakably evil that is fashioned in favor
Itism or conceived in a spirit of reprisal.
The current questions of taxation can
never be settled right, even for this gem
GRAFTON until they dispense justice to
sverv man, rich poor, and so far as
possible dispose the burdens CT public
tax in Just proportion to every interest,
great or small.
Temperance and Prohibition.
And now, as we draw near the close.
permit me to say word concerning the
laws prohibiting The sale of intoxicating
beverages and their enforcement In
the first place. i urge upon you the
thought with which / opened this address.
namely. that the burden is upon you and
not upon me to formulate legislation. l
am glad to fulfil my duties which are
to suggest, admonish, or inform, so far
as | am able but Il you look to me for
new devises or expedients I have
are fixed by the constitution--mine
to execute, yours to legislate but
and mine are fixed by the constitution
mine to execute, yours to legislate, but
l shall not hesitate to exercise every
constitutional obligation and privilege
solemn pledges that we have made for
enforcement.
Today, we have prohibition in the con-
stitution. state enforcement in the stat
utes, and resubmission in the limbos
If you will be content to let them re-
main there, with such legislation as you
may devise to simplify their operations
and equalize their burdens and RESPONSE
bilities, and will turn your attention to
graver things, such as the conservation
OF the great natural resources OF the
state, the determination of the pressing
issues of taxation; to legislation In keep
ing with the national spirit Of moral and
economic reform, you will pursue the
wiser course.
Here would leave the discussion, were
1t not for the fact that fourth ele-
| ment enters into the situation. a spirit
| Of so-called notification, which rises
| like a menace or stalks behind like an
evil thing in the night. 1 believe that
neither you as legislators, nor / as exec
| utive, will be doing our duty, If We fail
| to oppose every step that tends to pro-
| mote it. The people have not chosen
US in the full understanding of those is
| sues to come here and hoodwink the law
| or stultify ourselves. 1t is not my pur-
| pose TO threaten or to cajole. l shall
not declare here and now what / shall
| do in this juncture or in that, but / do
| say, that whatever you do in regard to
| temperance leSlSldtlUn, you HluSl HUI
| legislate state enforcement out of the
| statutes. The issue rests with you. but
I repeat what / have said, that If / see
| in the deliberation of this Legislature
| need OF further and more explicit decla-.
| rations from me, ! shall not hesitate to
make them and in such time and place
| as ! think will be the most emphatic and
| will do the most good for public welfare.
| 1 believe the prohibitory law to be wise.
! judicious and salutary. l should consid
| er it disaster to the general cause of
| public morals throughout the land should
| they pass away from Maine.
Initiative and Referendum.
| During the year just passed. we have
| adopted the initiative and referendum
| by the vote of the people. This secures
to the voter a power which as yet he
| hardly apprecia ties, and which yet has to
| be tested Under this. there can be small
complaint at inability. either to sound
public sentiment or to participate in
| general legislation.
| And now, gentlemen, members of the
| seventy-foGrth Maine legislature, in your
| care these issues are placed. l proffer
| them not in spirit of self assertion
| but as issues which l believe demand
| your attention, if Maine is to keep up in
| the procession of her neighboring states.
| The people will forgive honest mistakes,
! but they never can and never should for
| give wilful misrule. | do not Sickle for
| methods. / but plead for measures, deep
| laid in justice and in right. | do not
| ask you to follow absolutely in my way,
| but / ask you to follow in some way that
leads into avenues of progress and re-
| form. l do not ask you to do violence to
| your party or your affiliations but l do
| ask you TO remember that higher than
| you or your party your friendships. is
| your duty to the state and, in the fear
| of God and in respect of that duty, must
| you bear ever in mind when you cast
your vote that you legislate great con-
| sequences into being, potent for good or
| III, to Maine.
God has given great blessings to our
| state. He has made her. as we believe,
| fairer and richer than her sisters. He
has lifted her mills, and cupped the har-
| bors and the bays between the rugged
barriers to the restless seas. Our ma
tural beauties. the inestimable wealth of
our forests and our water powers, our
Incompatible climate, the purity of our
rivers. the intellectual and moral strength
| of our people, these also. are our heri-
tage, and these must be kept intact for
our children's children. l doubt the sin
cerity of purpose of no man or interest,
but self seeking frequently clothes it
| self in a garb that bears the name of pro-
| gress forgetting the claims of the flu
| ture in its desire for the reward of the
| present. Be cautious and on your guard
| remember that we are servants, not rul-
| ers and that the talents committed to
| our keeping for a time must be husband
| ed against that day when our Master,
who is the People, shall call upon us for
| an accounting.
|