The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-12-08
Democratic Rehenchment.

How They Propose to Reduce Expenses.
Some Of the Offices That May be Abol-
ished.
An Augusta dispatch in the Boston
Globe says: With q Democratic Cover
nor, Democratic executive council, a
Democrat working majority of IL in the
Senate and about "a in the House, it has
been expected that the ascendant party
would mold all over again this section
of this country. It is generally conced-
ed that there will be number Of changes,
but friends of the Governor and law
makers-elect say that whatever policies
or systems are adopted will be along con-
sentative and practical lines. They argue
that the new administration has chance
to make a record and its champions are
confident that it will be an enviable one.
Several officeholders, in expectation OF
the January house cleaning, have pros
pective places in view and a few have
already taken up new jobs before the
official ak falls
Although there may be some changes
in the routine Of the office it is not ex-
pected that the adjutant generals de-
This department has been expending
about $48, 900 year. The expenses OF OF
the attorney generals department will
probably be curtailed by doing away with
the assistant and reducing the salary OF
the head of the department: The assist
ant was almost an issue with the Demo-
Gratis in the September campaign. The
attorney general gets 81, 600 year, the
highest salary paid any official at the
State house, and his assistant 81, 800.
The agricultural department has be-
come in the last few years somewhat
complicated, as many additional interests
are taken into it's scope, Some Of the
Democrats say that, while this depart
ment is doing much good, part of its
operations could be simplified and posi-
bly, kept inside Of the $78, 900 it is now
costing.
There is talk of combining the special
office of auditor of State printing. cost
ing 1928, with the Office of the general
State auditor, costing $4,000, making
of the former clerkship in the depart
ment. 1t is expected there will be some
curtailment in the State auditors office.
1t has been costing about SIS, 1000 year
for clerks.
Abolishing the State labor department
has long been threatened as not being in
harmony with the labor interests of the
State, but the Office has worked we'll in
several labor complications and did much
to settle controversy among the paper
makers. Some of the Democrats say
that portions of the work in this depart
ment could be made more directly use
full. Little change is expected among
the State assessors and the State bank
ing department.
The two largest amounts accredited to
departments are $3.50, 685 for the good
roads campaign and $305, 839 for the edu-
cational department. While the new
administration is greatly in favor of
good roads there is some question as to
the amount that it will likely recommend
for expenditure for the next two years.
Some gigantic sums have been mention
ed in connection with projects already
contemplated. 1t is said that some of
the Democrats have plan by which this
work can be continued without too much
expenditure on the part of the State for
any one year.
The executive department, costing
close to 10000, is probably safe, The
Office of the Sturgis enforcement COM
missioners will likely be abolished, cut
ting out an expense of $31, 900. There is
talk of reducing the fish and game COM
mission to one man in place of three.
This department costs nearly $50, 900 a
year.
1t is said the work of investigating
fires will be discontinued as part of the
duties of the State insurance depart
ment, this having cost last year nearly
$4,000. Deputies both here and in the
State forestry department may be dis,
continued. To take care of the State
house and keep it running in good shape
is now costing nearly $26, 200 year, but
it is believed that with the additions
space provided by the annex this sun
will be considerably increased. Plans
have been made to combine the sea anc
shore fisheries with the inland fish ane
game department.
The office of State historian may be
abolished, expenses redue ed somewhat
in the office of Secretary of State ane
also in the railroad and health depart
ment, the pension department LINKED
with the regular duties of the executive
council. with further disposition to re
duce in membership most of the existing
State commissions.