Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-01-27
The Kennebec Dam and Reservoir Co.

| Maine. both Republicans and Demo
Gratis. ind themselves facing seri'
| o,ls problem. There are other prom
Ions. OF course, hut perhaps none ol
| such far-reaching importance as tha'
| embodied in the "Kenn"hec Dam ana
| Reservoir Co" bill nov before the
Legislature There is no question that
the rank and file of the lawmakers
regardless of political affiliations, are
anxious To do their duty A. repre-
sentatives Of the people; they would
scorn any attempt 10 influence their
Judgment or fealty to the states besr
interests; they intend To return t"
their constituents clear in conscience
and confident that their every act and
word has been tor the benefit of pres
ent rights, and Of posterity.
But how to distinguish right from
wrong in matter OF such compleNity
is the question that faces them. The
alluring sound of millions for deVel-
opmcnt" appeals to them. The phrase
may have been evolved with the i'll
tention of suggesting visions of vast
industrial advancement--busy laborers
ard great taxable properties-they do
not know Those with whom we hav"
convcrsed express beWilderment in
nj .x,1,, Il
phraseology. They are dependent on
legal advice in which they may repeSc
confidence,
The legislators are confronted by
these first duties: First. To so scrutin-
iZo every clause of this measure that
the granting OF eminent domain to
new corporation of unknown power
and possibilities may not impair vest
ed rights. both in interest and in pos
session. Second. to see to it that this
self-confessed octopus is 50 muzzled
that it may not consume more than it
creates.
The expenditure Of millions Tor in
dustrial development in Maine at the
cost OF life to numerous smaller in
dustries now in wholesome COMPETE
ton would be not unlike a farmer al
lowing marksman to shoot Ills iloel
of hens for the sake of the expert
demonstration.
The lawmakers should ask for and
are entitled to the expert advice Of
the attorney general in dealing with
tue possibilities of this issue and this
State official, be he elect or proxy,
should be held responsible for the
fair presentation of this measure, that
the, legislators may understand its
technicalities. He is the peoples coun-
OF the law: if he is representing the
peoples interests he will see that no
insidious provision for sucking the
States industrial life is allowed to re-
main in any measure the Legislators
vote upon without their full knowledge.
If he is blind TO the intent of an adj
vancing trust, for any cause or con-
sideration, and mortgages future gen.
eratinns. then other legal talent should
come tc the front in behalf of the
State.
If the 18th Legislature grants exclu-
slVe powers to a corporation, impair
ing vested rights and giving foothold
to any such monopoly as has sapped
the vitality OF sister states, then it
must stand before the people as false
10 ITS trust. and go down in history
as the aggregation which sold itself
ana Tho States future to money
power The Legislators themselves, af-
ter fully understanding the intent of
the measure from an expert legal
STANDPOINT, as to its possible and
propaple effects, are responsible to the
people and their own posterity.
Look into it carefully, gentlemen
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