Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-12-20

Grange instruct it's legislative committee
to carry ON the fight for a fair and just
distribution of the State school fund, as
provided by the Osborne bill, before the
next Legislature.
Believing that automobiles, which are
considered by all road experts to be de-
structive to earth roads. should be taxed
to aid in keeping these roads in repair,
your committee advocated a measure for
this purpose and Were supported by
large number of petitions from Grange
members.
A bill was passed providing for an an
nual registration fee for automobiles,
motor trucks, etc, ranging from SIS TO
49, according to the horsepower, and a
fee of SO for motorcycles. In addition to
this the law provides for an annual Ii
cense fee of 81 for each person operating
a motor vehicle. Non-residents operat-
ing motor vehicles in the State for more
than 30 days are required to pay the
same registration fee as residents. The
money received from these fees is TO be
used for the repairs, maintenance and
construction of State highways, under the
direction of the State highway commits
sioner. The secretary of State estimates
that the amount of revenue derived from
this law during the year 1912 will be APP
proximately $4,000 and as the number
of automobiles and motor trucks in the
| State is constantly increasing we may
look for like increase in the amount
of yearly tax. This fund if properly ex-
pended will be more than sufficient t
keep our State roads in repair for SONS
\ ,at1d ad "a
ance may be used for new construction
The Maine Patrons have advocated
and supported the initiative and ref
erendum, used its provisions to good
advantage to bring before the people
Il measure providing for direct noml-
nation of members of Congress, anc
all State and county officers elected
! by the people, thus doing away with
/ the old caucus and convention sys-
| TEN, which fostered the existence of
! political bosses and made it possible
for them in many instances to name
candidates for public office, A large
! number of petitions were sent in by
the Oranges, which together with
those circulated by other organiza-
tons, contained a sufficient number
! Of names to put the Davies Direct
Primary bill before the people, who
passed it with large majority.
/ We hope that in the future eandi-
dates fitness for the position he seeks
will have more bearing upon his Sc
| lection than his past services to some
party or interest. Your committee ad-
vocated the passage of an act provid-
ing for further inspection of CONNER
/ cial fertilizers. This act provides that
any persons may take a sample of a
commercial fertilizer in the presence
of witness in accordance with direc-
lions furnished by this station. upon
payment of a fee. Under the former
law a sample could only be taken by
| the director or his deputy.
a bill having been introduced te
charter company for the purpose OF
| developing the water power of the
/ Kennebec river, and it being believed
by Your committee and by others that
! The ultimate purpose Of this company
was to transmit electric power out OF
the State, thus making Maine a power
station for developing industries in
other states we strenuously opposed
! this measure, and are glad to say thai
it was postponed to the next Legisla
ture and we hope will finally be de
feated.
We quote from Senator Jonathan
Bourne. Jr., the following: The great
est issue before the country is TIL
substitution of general welfare fol
| selfish interest as the motive power o.
| government. This must be accomplish
| ed primarily by the adoption by the
states of the popular government
| laws. the initiative and referendum
| efficient direct primary, corrupt prac-
| tees act, Presidential preference law
| and the recall"
| In view of the fact that certain laws
| of the State have been systematically
nullified for years by officials who
have had no regard for their oath OF
office, thus breeding contempt for all
| law, we believe that the time has come
| for the Grange of Maine to take n de-
! cided stand for the recall of unfaith-
full public officials, and we recommend
| the careful consideration of this sub
| ject by the State Grange.
| The expenses of the committee were
as follows:
c. S, Stetson, services and expenses
| $140.S5; Edward Evans. services and
| expenses, s116.50; Geo. G. Weeks, le-
| gal services. 1910; total. S271.o5.