Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-06-15

the democrats: "rf you viii ioin NJ in psss-
ing the Peters amendment, giving to the
people whom you profess 10 trust so implic-
lily the right TO recall assheriff who betrsys
the trust reposed In him by those who elected
him, we win join you in repeating the stursis
law" Two democrats voted for the Peters
amendment, one Of them being Representative
Havey, Of this county. But all the rest Of the
democrats In the House voted against 1t, and
1t was lost
The difference therefore between the two
parties. so far rs this subject Is copcerned, is
not upon the retention Of the sturgis bill,
but upon the notification OF the con-
stitution. The republican party says
the chief executive Of the State must have
some power to compel the enforcement Of
law. The democratic party insists that the
chief executive Of the State shall have no
power to compel the enforcement Of law.
The democratic party says that that section Of
the constitution requiring the governor to
take care that the laws are faithfully en-
forced shall be nuiliaed. The republican
party insists that that section OF the constitu-
tion shall not be nuliihed.
Within the reasonable limits Of an address
at the opening Of the convention, haven't
time to speak Of all the subjects that will be
discussed in the coming campaign; I haven't
time TO mention all the subjects about which
our oppouets viii find fault. purpose, how
ever, to mention one other matter that pre-
senss itself In q new aspect refer to the
Bangor & Aroostook rebate matter. This
subject has been so frequently and thor
ougbly discussed that should not mention it
but for the fact that new chapter has been
written into 1t since the last campaign
Twenty years ago the people of Aroostook
county ciamored for railroad to develop that
spiendidly fertile territory. But they could
not enlist capital for the purpose. They felt
that II the railroad for a term OF years could
be exempted from taxation the necessary
capital might be obtained. But the constitu-
ton forbade exemption from taxation. Some
body then suggested that a contract might be
made between the railroad and the State
whereby the railroad should agree to perform
some public service OF greater or less vafue
and. In consideration thereof, the State should
agree to repay TO the railroad company for
term OF years an amount equal to the taxes
paid.
A bill was therefore introduced into the
legislature providing that the State treasury
Should be authorized and Instructed to make
contract with the railroad company. the
contract to provide that the railroad should
transport troops free of charge, and that the
State should in consideration OF this service
pay to the raiiroad company for term Of
twenty years a sum OF money equal to ninety
ave per cent. OF the annual tax imposed upon
| the railroad during that period.
The passage OF this bill was asked by every
person in Aroostook county without regard
TO party. II was advocated by every news
paper OF both political parties. It was
favored BY every member OF the legislative
committee. irrespective Of party affiliations;
II was voted for by every member of the
Legislature, democrats and republicans alike.
II became a law. The contract was made.
The great seal OF the State was put upon 1t.
With this contract the railroad succeeded
In selling Its stock and its bonds. The rail-
road was built, and, 10. the wilderness blos-
somed like the rose. Seventeen million dol
lars OF taxable property have been added to
that county largely because OF the building
OF that road, and now, twenty years having
elapsed. the road will shortly be subject to
taxation without rebate. But for the past ten
years the democratic party has been clamor-
ing for reputation OF that contract. Its
stump orators, its newspapers, its representa-
tives and senators have been urging that that
contract be repudiated. because OF its alleged
unconstitutionaiity. They have been bitterly
denouncing the republican party for refusing
to agree to this policy Of reputation.
But the republican party has said; 1--WE
viii not extend this contract; we will not re-
new 1t. but the great seal of the State is upon
the contract, the good faith Of the State is in
1t. and we refuse to repudiate IT."
In the legislature of 1909 bill was intro
duced TO renew and extend this Bangor &
Aroostook railroad rebate contract, but the
republican, party in the legislature, consist
emily with Its policy and its pledges, opposed
the renewal. and the bill did not become q
law. The renewal was not authorized.
The significant feature about IL is that the
bill providing for such renewal and extension
was introduced into the legislature and adj
vocxted not only by democrat, but by the
leader OF the democrats in the House OF Rep
resen.atives. the man who was selected as the
democratic candidate for speaker
No accusation against the republican party
has been more frequently in the months OF
our opponents than the accusation OF hy-
pocrisy. But for an example OF Hypocrisy
entitled to the blue ribbon in any competition
commend me to that party that claims to be
In favor Of the enforcement OF law and yet
that advocates depriyink the chief executive
of the State of all power to compel the en-
forcement OF law.
l have read OF hypocrites. l have read OF
Pecksnin. immortalized by Dickens. the chief
hyprocite of them all. But even Pecksnin is
. model of frankness and candor compared
with that party that has for years been de-
nounciug the republican party for refusing to
repudiate the Bangor 4 Aroostook rebate con-
tract, and now, through its leader in the
House, tries to renew and extend the contract
The republican party has ever been the par
ty OF action. 1t has been the party that has
done things. II has accomplished results.
That should be its policy in the future. 1t
should leave to the democratic party indis-
criminate fault finding. 1t should disregard
mere political expediency. 1t should deter
mine where lies the interest OF the county
and OF the State, and should aim to reach
that goal, and doing this, it may safely leave
the consequences to the people, whose eyes
II.