Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-08
Friday January 8, 1909.
Governor Fernald's Address.

after he had taken his oath Of office.
is a document which should be read by
every citizen Of the State. 1t is pub
lished in full this morning upon
another page of the Journal and we
urge upon our readers not only a care
full reading OF the address but
thoughtful consideration of the many
matters touched upon and discussed IN
it. This address is the first official
utteranee of the man who is now the
executive head Of the State. and as
such is to be taken as outlining the
policy Of the new administration. 1t IS
certain that it's views will be of much
influence upon the legislative enact
ments of the coming months.
Wholly aside from the importance
OF matters discussed and the nature OF
the views presented. the address Is an
admirably prepared public document
and makes most interesting reading
Governor Fernald. as earlier demon
strated in his legislative career and In
various public addresses, is master
OF d clear and concise form OF express
sion, and purely for its literary merit
this address will rank very high among
the messages transmitted to Maine
legislatures by governors in tine past
But 1t is in the matter Of the address
rather than in its manner OF expression
that people of the State will have the
chief interest, and here Governor
Fernald comes up to the highest ex-
pectations Of his friends and admirers.
A great many matters are touched up
on and upon all Of them Governor
Fernald has something to say which Is
worth saying and which will command
respect and induce reflection with all
who study his words.
Opening with discussion Of the
relative responsibilities and duties Of
the executive and legislative depart
ments az determined by the constitu-
ton and interpreted by authorities in
the past. he soon enters upon con-
alteration OF the many important Is
sues that confront the 74th Legislature.
While the State Is prosperous, with the
debt practically extinguished and a
large cash balance in the treasury,
Governor Fernald makes 1t plain that
he will insist upon the practice of
economy in all appropriations; not the
economy which Is stinginess and parsi-
mony. but that which is based upon
the wise use of money and good re-
turn for all expenditures.
The effects Of the recent gathering
Of New England governors for the con-
sideration Of questions of mutual i'm
portance to the six states of this sec
ton. are plainly evident In some Of the
recommendations and suggestions
made by Governor Fernald, especially
those regarding the conservation Of our
natural resources. the replanting Of
depleted forests. the creation of a
water supply commission. the follow
ing OF a system in good roads work
which will lead to continuous
thoroughfare crossing the State from
border to border. the cooperation with
the other New England states for uni
form automobile laws and uniform
laws for the preservation of shell fish.
All these are matters OF prime i'm
portance to Maine as well as to the
other New England states. and beyond
question 1t will be better for all con-
cerned II these states act in harmony
instead of following individual and
irregular policies along different lines.
Governor Fernald finds the condi-
tions in the various State institutions
which he has visited within the past
few months very satisfactory. and gives
credit to their management and to the
State officials having them in charge
In the line of improvements he urges a
new wing for the Eastern Maine In
sane Hospital at Bangor. new stable
for the School for Boys at South Port
hand. increased assistance for the
Maine Sanatorium at Hebron and a
fireproof carriage shop and repository
at the State Prison.
There Is no lack Of suggestions for
new legislation in the address OF
Governor Fernald. He urges steps for
State aid for manual training schools
a law for the State inspection of milk
a reform in the corporation laws Of the
State, q new system of caucus laws
shorter hours for women and children
In factories, the greater protection OF
our rivers from pollution, an increase
in the minimum required school year
the approval of a standard high school
course for one. two or three years in
place Of the arbitrary course of four
years now required, a system of
medical examination in the schools
and the establishment OF minimum
of standard school house construction
and equipment. These are some Of the