Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-31
Ro...xe,t,s Word. Good for Maine.


At Denver Monday Theodore Rcose-
Welt many said things which are
of deep interest 10 Maine, Out
Welt said many things which are
along the line of the well-known policy
of the Republican leaders Of Maine
All through the campaign Gov. Fernald
has urged the necessity of development
OF the natural resources of the state.
Mr.. Roosevelt said in part:
This country has shown definite
signs OF waking up TO the absolute nee
essity Of handling it's natural resources
with foresight and common sense The
The conservation question has three
sides. In the first place the needless
waste of the natural resources must be
stopped II is rapidly becoming we'll
settled policy Of this people that we OF
this generation-hold the land in part
for the next generation. and not ex-
clusivelv for our own selfish enjoyment
Just as The farmer is a good citizen il
he leaves his farm improved and not
impaired for his children. and bad
selfish interest. so the nation behaves
well if it treats the natural resources
as assets which it must turn over to
the next generation increased and not
impaired in value. and behaves badly if
il leaves the land poorer to those who
come after us.
To preserve the general welfare, 20
see 10 it that the rights OF the public
are protected. and the liberty of the
individual secured and encouraged as
curbej rhen it becomes inconsistent
Herewith, il is necessary TO invoke the
aid OF the government. There are
points in which this governmental aid
can best be rendered by the States,
that is, where the exercise of States
rights helps to secure popular rights;
and as 10 these / believe in States
rights. But there are large classes of
cases where only the authority of the
National government will secure the
rights of the people; and where this is
the case ! am a convinced and thor
ough- going believer in the rights of the
national government.
Take the question of the control of
the water power sites. The enormous
importance of water power sites TO the
future industrial development of This
country has only been realized within
a very few years Unfortunately, the
realization has come too late as regards
MANY OF the power sites; but many
yet remain with which our hands are
fee - deal. We should make il our
duty 20 see that hereafter the power
sites are kept under the control OF the
general government. for the use Of the
people as a whole. The fee should re-
main with the people as q whole. while
the use is leased on terms which shall
secure an ample reward TO the lessees.
which shall encourage the DEVELOPMENT
and use of the water power. but which
shall not create permanent monopoly
or permit the development Ia b. anti
social. TO be in any respect holtile 10 the
public good"
II behooves the voters of Maine to
see 10 il that officials are kept in pow
er who advocate and work for and up
hold these policies. The states nat
ural resources should be source Of
immense income. The advice of former
President Roosevelt is safe to follow
SIC to ii that the people as a whole
secure the benefits after giving the les.
see generous reward.
That is what Governor Fernald
stands for and back of him are the
public spirited citizens and the leading
publications. Of the State.