The Somerset reporter., 1909-01-14

every man. rfch or poor, xns ~ sss -
possible dispose the burdens u pubiis
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 q word concerning the
laws prohibiting the sale Of intoxicating
beverages and their enforcement. In
the first place, l urge upon you the
thought with which l open ed this address.
namely. that the burden is upon you and
not upon me to formulate Liquidation.
am glad TO fulfill my duties which are
to suggest. sdmonish, or inform, so far
as I am able but II you look to mo for
new devises or expedients have
are nNed by the consutution-mlne
to execute, yours to legslate. 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
belonging to my once. to redeem the
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 lmboe
II you will be content to let them re-
main there, with such legislation as you
Nmay 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 l would leave the discussion. were
II not for the fact that a fourth ele-
int he a
of so-called notification, which rises
like q menace or stalks behind like an
evil thing in the night believe that
neither you as legislators, nor / as exec
utive, will be doing our duty, II we fail
to oppose every step that tends to pro-
mote 1t. The people have not chosen
us in the full understanding of those Is
sues to come here and hoodwnk the law
or stultify ourselves. It is not my pur
pose to threaten or to caJolc / shall
not declare here and now what | shall
do in this juneture or in that, but l do
say, that whatever you do in regard to
temperance legislation. you must not
legislate state enforcement out of the
statutes. The issue rests with you. but
/ repeat what I have said, that II | see
in the delibe rations of this legislature a
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 20 be wise
judicious and salutary. l should consid
err it a 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 power which as yet he
hardly appreciates, and which yet has TO
be tested. Under this, there can be small
complaint at inability, either to sound
public sentiment OF to participate in
general legislation.
And now, gentlemen, members of tho
seventy fourth Maine legislature. in your
care these issues are placed. proffer
them not in spirit of self assertion
but as issues which ! believe demand
your attention, II 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 wlful mlsrnle. I do not sickle for
methods. / bat plead fer measures, deep
laid in justice and in right. l do not
ask you to follow absolutely in my way
but l 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
ask you to remember that higher than
you or your party or 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 east
your vote that you leEislate great csn-
sequences into being, potent for gsod or
ILL., to Maine.
God has given great blessings 10 eur
state. He has made her, as we believe.
fairer and richer than her sisters. He
has lifted her hills. and cupped the han
bors and the bays between the rugged
barriers to the restless seas. Our ma
tural beauties, the inestimable wealth Of
our forests and cur water powers, our
incompa rable 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. / doubt the sin
cerity of purpose of no man or interest.
but self seeking frequently clothes It
self in garb that bears the name Of pro-
gress forgetting the claims Of the fu-
ture in it's 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 time must be husband
ed against that day when our Master,
who is the People, shall call upon u for
an accounting.
Mother Eve handed Adam an apple
and her daughters have been handing