Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-25
Editorial Comment.
Governor Fernald's Administration.
IL aWiSfon Journal

pie of Maine in 1908 that he would do
his = best to equaliZe taxation. He
signed bill which was the fruitage Of
the best efforts OF all parties. 1t in
creased taxes on wild lands and cor
porations 1t went a long way to
equaliZe taxation. The governor says
that after a trial if it can be improved,
he stands for it's Improvement. Nobody
has any strings on the governor. Can
Mr.. Plaisted say more?
Governor Fernald promised to work
for q 5S-hour law. He did work for 1t
and he signed the bill introduced by
the labor-leaders and passed by the
legislature in fulfillment of that prom
Use.
Governor Fernald promised cordial
support of the good roads movement as
outlined in the Republican platform;
demanded by the Grange; desired by
the State board of trade; endorsed by
every automobilist and every business
man in Maine. He did as he promised !;
Names good roads We're given the in
creased appropriation of u of a mill OF
State tax and they are now getting the
benefit of it every day.
Governor Fernald promised FAIR
and impartial enforcement of all laws.
Never were all laws better enforced in
the history of Maine than in 1909 TO-. as
is proven by the cordial support OF
Gov Fernald by every moral influence
in Maine.
Gov. Fernald promised to stand for
the rights of the people in the giving
of franchises Of public domain. Gov.
Fernald fulfilled this promise bv in
sisting on conditional instead of the
old form of absolute franchises. These
conditional franchises are subject to be
taken back by the State without pay
ment therefor whenever the State snail
so determine The governor fulfilled
this promise by requiring the People at
all hearings where franchises We're
given; by creating the Water Storage
Commission that is already inaugural
ing a policy of forest reservation to
protect water power and by laying
plans to build up Water storage
system that will soon produce large
revenue for the citizens of Maine. This
is the biggest progressive economy
inausurated in Maine in SO years. The
Democrats are silent on 1t and prefer
to talk about the weather but the peo-
Ole are going to know about it and 60
ing to vote to sustain Gov Fernald in
this policy that would go to the wall
without him.
Gov. Fernald promised to restrict
corporations of Maine so far as the
State has the power, against turning
Maine into power-station to run
Massachusetts trolley lines.
He kept he'promise and he support
ed and signed bill requiring that ev-
cry corporation created by Maine be re-
ouired to secure special charter before
transmitting electricity across the
borders. This would be cast aside
without Gov Fernalds active advoca-
cy for the next two years, as it shown
by the opposition of Democratic news
papers.
Gov. Fernald promised to exercise
economy in appropriations and stand
for a reasonable expenditure of money.
On this alone. has he been criticised.
What did he do? He stood out against
a $50. 900 Demo- Republican raid on sal
aries of county and State officials. He
sent a letter to a member of the legis-
lature on March 18th in which he gave
as his policy an opposition to all in
creases of salaries whatsoever. This
letter was read in the House and for
ever settled the issue. No salaries We're
raised. This saved the State probably
$50. 900. for about every county official.
many of the Democrats, judges of su-
Derior and municipal courts and other
officers were pushing private bills FOR
more salary. He cut off an appropria-
tion for 100000 for an insane hospital
extension at Augusta by peremptory
notice OF intent to veto the bill for
which Mayor Plaisted of Augusta was
an advocate as he was an advocate
for the State Capitol. He cut down the
aDpropriation for the University OF
Maine under the greatest pressure OF
the contrary the State being widely al
vised that unless the friends OF the Z.
of NJ. came to the governors terms the
whole bill would be vetoed. The trus-
tees were called by telegraph and the
compromise reduced the appropriation
for 1909 by $4,000 and for two years by
s35. 900. In this matter Mr.. Pattansali
was an ardent friend of the U. or M.
appropriation. Gov. Fernald cut on an
extra appropriation for fish and game,
compelling the department TO 90 work
with the increased appropriation ior-
merly done by two appropriations ana
in reality cutting down the enlarged
fish and game appropriation by tnat
amount. The Governor vetoed the De
Forrest Keyes' claim, so powerfully
lobbiel through the House. giving Mr..
Keyes $4,000 and opening the door $50
Mr.. Pattangall asserted) to 23S more
claims for indefinite amounts veto
for which Mr.. Pattangan said at Au-
burn "he honored the heart and cour-
age of the Governor" He c0mpeiled
the reduction of the appropriation for