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

ercise the powers belonging to either Of
the others. Against any inscription OF
nreror,tive, against overstepping the
dividing line between your duties and
mine. i hereby give you the pledge OF
INV solemn purpose thereto. and with
tha notification that / shall exact the
same obligation from you. And also
an order to emphasize the Importance OF
,h,s principle of good government, and
further TO define the duties and powers
Of The executive department under those
eections which relate to distribution OF
the same, may I 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 fitly both
70 counsel and admonish that beg you
20 bearken 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 lawyer and an executive, said TO
both branches OF the Legislature: This
provision for the distribution of powers
between the distinct departments of the
government Of Maine. and the definitions
az the functions OF the same would re-
strain me from attempting to dictate or
direct the subjects or the course OF leg
jslation but the constitution OF Maine
also makes It the duty OF the governor
to give the Legislature information as
to the condition OF our state, and to
recommend to its consideration such
measures as he may judge expedient. and
in fulfilling this direction l wish to be
regarded as performing duty strictly
enjoined upon me by my guide and d.
rectory in the discharge OF my duty, and
/ ask and desire for my Views no other
weight of influence but such as they may
be entitled to upon full and sober con-
s,deration. In my opinion, the great
Characteristic feature Of our government
. is to be found in this careful
and jealous distribution OF power and
this solemn and decisive admonition to
each department TO keep strictly within
its own limit and to beware of infring-
ing upon or assuming the power right
fully belonging TO another. With an I'M
doubling assurance that the rights, pow
ers. and responsibilities conferred on the
executive will not upon your part be in
terfered with or assaiied. / can assure
you that 1t will be my pleasure. as it
is my duty. to leave the legislature and
all other departments to the free full
and uninterrupted performance OF the
duties enjoined upon them"
Lot Morriil's View.
Exactly fifty years ago. to a day. Gov
ernor Lot NJ. Morrill, also stood in this
place, and said: THE checks provided
not only in the two distinct branches
OF the legislature. but also in the par
ucipation of the executive Indicate with
what jealous care these important func-
tons have been uarded"
Governor Enoch Lincoln in 1927 re-
ferred TO duties appropriate exclusively to
hls Office, and Governor Hubbard went
farther than this and even declared that
opinions formed and acted upon under
the influence of party dictation or under
mat OF AFFILIATED societies. whether poll
ueal moral. or fanatical are dangerous
10 our liberties and subverslve OF demo-
cratic principles" Ii these quotations
from the fathers of our state serve to
give us a clearer understanding of our
respective line of duties. they have
served my purpose. Starting out. there
iore' with this understanding that you do
your work and that ! do mine, each in
heipiulness to the other let us consid-
g what are the duties that press upon
US ana the Importance OF our consecra-
uoh 10 high estimate of the same. I
w NOT believe 1t is necessary for me to
suggest that these duties are solemn
anu potential. You know, as well as l,
uat the consequences of vicious. hasty.
aiu h-adVised legislation may be a blight
uloh state for years and years to
eoiue' while the fruits of wise and bene-
ven, laws make states happier and bet
.e e, beg of you, however. to consider
.,is phase of your duties seriously. II
tuere De any man here who looks upon
us oatn OF Office taken before God and
h ,s.'' as OF small account. let me beg
.n ,'iu 70 revise his Views. II any man
,u'eie De who assumes his first duty TO
e 70 MS political party and his second
So Az 10 his state. let me beg him to
~ Ihis Is not the proper field for
~ eApioitation OF party prejudices or of
PERSONAL and political ambitions. The
s.a'IS OF the duties here imposed calls
~ higher estibate of our service than
ms, s, ana constitutes an appeal to the
,h - or every man, in such degree
80 ne Will ungrudgingly sink himself
- ,'u ms party, in devotion to the service
VI The whole people.
., need not say that large issues con-
!. ~. US Rarely has a legislature faced
sreater complexity of problems in both
nloiai and economic fields of legislation
~ 1n =, Goes yours. Your solution of some
~ mem may determine the policy of
M STATE Tor years to come and be the
nre OF setting her face either towards
it'.ustess or decline. 1t is not much legis-
Alvn' put wise legislation that we need.
nso ,eariess regard for the rights of the
s.sop'e Is required of each Of us. The
n "py OF these problems demands our
IT, time and requires that our SER
az oe In the very spirit of the religion
so, our better natures 1 believe, in all
fSa e'Innity, as I doubt not you do, that
in e LORD LORD has this nation and this state
lead ms molly keeping. and that He will
us us py His kindly light as He has led
20 until now. Reliance on Him. con-
h. 'nce In ourselves determination to
r.. swayed from what we believe to be
nor neither by wealth nor by power
ina,p y any influence or combination OF
u IN ,'.,,, that may be brought against