Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-25


ton. that the conclusive evidence is
what decision you have reached upon
the question, what do the people actu-
ally want?
Now I have taken pains to find out,
in my county, what the people want.
about this matter. 1 have sent out
! several hundred letters to men In va
rious towns, all over the county-rep-
resenrative men-and the answers to
those letters have coine in by scores;
and 1 say to you that nine out of ten
of those answers-and in my opinion
nine out of ten of the people in my
county are either opposed to the propo-
sition or absolutely Indifferent to it;
and they say that they believe that
| the thing should be left as it is; and
they believe further that there is so
little interest in the proposition, that
| ii it were submitted to the people,
there would be no vote whatever in
any way expressing popular opinion
on the subject The people are indif-
ferent, or opposed.
Now if the people of the State came
here-if the people of my county came
here to ask for this change, L should
regard it as my duty to refer it to the
people for them to vote upon; but
say to you that the people of Maine do
not want this particular thing.
1 respect the position of any man
in this Legislature who votes for this
measure because he believes that the
people want it. I accord him the same
consideration that I ask for myself
when I vote for or against any meas
ure ami in doing what l believe to be
the will of the people; but upon my
own investigation, l believe the people
do not want it.
|. There are plenty of things they dc
want. They want us to see that the
taxes of this State are collected equit-
ably from the various interests. and
that the money appropriated is ap-
proprated where it will do the people
the most good; and they want us to
sit here in this session of the Legs-
nature until we complete the work we
are here to do, whether we adjourn
in March, April or May; but this par
ticular thing they do not want us to do.
The position of the senator from
Knox reminds me of the young man
who started out with a desire to
preach. He felt that he was called to
preach. and he made his first attempt
in the presence of his old pastor, who
had known him from little boy. AT
ter the service, the pastor and the boy
walked home together; and after a
painful silence lasting some time, the
rastor asked the boy why he had felt
that Re ought to preach
Why" the boy sale r am called
by the Lord to preach
John, my boy" t., ,i.! pastor said.
are you sure it Wa th1 call of the
Lord you heard? Wasn't it some 9TH
er nose:''
With all .34i'. g.. sptrt to the senator
from Knox ttG to those who really
believe that the People of the State
want this, in my judgment it is not
I he voice of the people they have
heard. but some other noise.
MIR. STAPLES: Mr.. President: l
appreciate "liat the gentleman from
Aroostooll Las said about the indiffer-
"nce of the people. The great trouble
is to get full expression by the peo-
ole of the State. The great trouble
IN the future is the Indifference of the
voter as to going to the polls to vote
upon these questions. Why does that
Indifference exist? Because YOU have
taken away from the voter the right
aud lodged it otherwise is the reason
for the indifference which exists in the
State of Maine today. For that rea-
son we must do something The great
trouble today in the State of Maine is
the Indifference of the common voter
upon these great questions. They have
driftcd into that Indifference because
the people and lodged them in other
places. Our elective franchise should be
the guardian of the peoples rights.
| have had some experience in polifical
matters, and find from year to year, not
only in my county but in Aroostook coun-
ty and in every county in the State. that
the people are growing more Indifferent
about going to the polls and voting upon
these various questions. 1 believe VIC
Should encourage them to go to the polls
and vote upon these matters. When that
Is done yon will find it is great thing
for the upbuilding of the SURFACES of
the people of the State of Maine DENY
to them the right to vote for attorney
general, secretary of State and treasurer
and you drive them further into this con-
dition of Indifference that exists in the
State of Maine today. Encourage them
Let them feel that they are part and par
Gel of our State and that it is their duty
to go to the polls and declare for those
they want to vote for for this office. or
that one or another.
| admit what my brother upon nv
right says. that the long list Of attorneys
general in the State of Maine and of our
treasurers is one of honorable men, II
do not forget that the Hon. John A. Pc
ters was one of the grand attorney gen
erals of Maine ! do not forget that long
line of men who have filled that impor-
tant position; but don't you suppose that
the people would have elected Just the
same men. perhaps. if the matter went
before them? The people loved John A.
Peters and they love his memory for
ever.
My friends, Arthur I. Brown has been
my friend from boyhood; and no man
that ever filled that Office has filled it
better or can fill it better than my
friend the present secretary Of State. But
that is not the question. Encourage the