Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-22

have worked hard think we have a
pretty good bill" - ..t !.
| The Governor said that he assumed
| the bill was not all that the Demo-
| cratic leader of the House: could have
wished; perhaps it was not all any OF
them could wish, for it was difficult
to find two people who could agree on
this proposition. but, as the Demo-
cratic leader had said, it was pretty
good bill. 1t was passed without q
suggestion of party lines being APP
proved. He signed it, not because II
was IDEAL but because it, seemed to be
the best that could be devised at the
time. ,.
To him it seemed unfair to criticize
the measure until it had been put to
the test and it was known if it were
good or bad. 1t was not given trial
in 1909, as perhaps, many supposed
after reading the Democratic press
and hearing its orators This year,
for the first time. that law was opera
tive. Actual trial was the only thing
which could determine. its, efficacy.
He believed. just as the Democratic
leader of the House of Representa-
tives had declared on the floor of that
House in March, 1909. was his belief.
that it was a pretty good bill. Until
it had been thoroughly tried and prov
en- wanting he should continue to so
feel.
The Governor then discussed>at con-
siderable length the subject OF con-
servation of public resources. the con-
servation of the forests and lakes and
water powers of the State.
-. aI,o af
nent Democratic newspa per that the
entire results of the present admins
tration had been the appointment Of
commission for this purpose, which
had met once and then, turning its
work over to the photographic survey,
retired from the field of activity. MOL
more willful mis- statement Of facts
had ever been made in a campaign in
Maine than was that. Instead OF
having retired from the field of ac-
tivity, the commission was very much
in it. 1t had held many meetings and
still more conferences. Instead OF
turning it's labors over to the hydro
graphic survey, it had Joined forces
with that survey, as well as the
Topographic and geological survey. 1t
had done this because by such
course more could. be accomplished IN
each of the special branches for the
same amount than could be with
each working separately. Il
1t appealed to him as very wise
course to take. BY it the State was
getting considerably more for it's
money than in any other way. III
that was a failure or mistake ne
failed to see it, He thought it vas
always best to get the most for ore
money 1t was an axiom of business; |
if it was good in private affairs. why
not for the State?
The policy of conservation was
new one. 1t was not old in the ma
ton, though other states We're con-
siderably ahead of Maine, but he was
pleased that step had been made in |
that direction. The interests of the |
people were being safeguarded. NO
more would the State give away val |
liable waterpowers under the impress
sion that only a railroad franchise
was being granted.
In the past three sessions OF the
Legislature the fee system had been
abolished as had the free passes. The
competitive system had been intro |
-duced in the making of contracts: the |
liquor agency system had been purged |
and the office of State auditor had
been created. Fhe man who heio
that office was appointed by Gov
Cobb and reelected by the people /
He had been success. No. bill was
paid until it had been subjected. to ms /
careful scrutiny. He had proven a
fit man for the job. He was candl-
date for re election and the Governor |
felt sure that the spirit of fair play
which is characteristic of the people |
of Maine would see to it that a loyal
official like Charles P. Hatch, the state |
auditor, was reelected.
He closed with a strong appeal to |
the voters of the State to stand to-
gether for their own good and see TO "
that the message which Maine should
send to the nation on the night of |
September IL, should be of splendid |
Renublican victory.