Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-04-05
WHAT HASN'T BEEN DONE.
Democratic Legislature Weak On
Constructive Legislation.


must be recorded q failure in constructive
legislation. When, after fifty years OF
struggle, the democratic party in this
State came into power last fall, no one was
more surprised than the democrats. They
had expected to elect F. w. Piaisted rs
governor and d. J. McGillicuddy to Con-
gress, but to find themselves in possession
OF both branches of the legislature as well
as the executive department was wholly
unexpected.
They were unprepared to put into prac-
teal form the measures they had Endorsed
in their party platform, further than the
matter of resubmission OF constitutional
prohibition of the sale of liquor, which has
been an issue in every Maine election for
years. As a result, outside Of preparing to
get prohibition out OF the constitution,
they have done very little, and practically
all the important measures Of constructive
legislation have been referred to the next
legislature for action. Among these mat
tiers are:
The sale OF electric power generated in
Maine to companies outside the State.
Il The Kennebec dam project, providing
for the expenditure Of SIX million by
foreign capital Tor power plant.
Inc payment TO towns Tor the support
Of NONRESIDENT paupers.
The consolidation of the sea and shore
and inland fish and game departments.
Aooitionai taxation OF WHO LANDS OF the
State.
Inc Puohc UTILITIES commission Dill
died between the houses.
Canaoian RECIPROCITY - II that 10 con-
structive legisiation-was turned down.
The state income tax-constructive from
one stanopoint-died.
Two biiis which were put over TO the
next Legislature dealt with the use OF
Names resources. The Dill granting
charter to the kennebec Dam q Reservoir
Co. was introduced by Pattaugall, OF
Wsterville. The company - largely
foreign corporation was to be given the
bright TO dam the kennebec river above
Augusta, creating water power which it
is said would be second only to Niagara in
the power produced.
The incorporators were to expend some
s8,OOO,0O0 on the Improvement. Republic
can and democratic papers alike opposed
the measure or supported it. 1t was
claimed that it would produce more power
than would be used in Maine, and would
supply Massachusetts concerns, and it
was argued that the franchise was worth
100000 and the power ought to be kept
in the State to induce manufacturers to
come here.
The bill was killed through the efforts
of the Maine power companies themselves,
who feared this giant would swallow
them, and it was freely spoken OF in the
House as ''the octopus and 1.-THE BEAST.
II is no new thing, for the project has
been mooted six or eight years. In dis
cussing it the papers were vituperative,
and in Withdrawing from his support of
the measure Mr.. Pattangall came back at
them, attacking the Waterville Sentine
and, indirectly, Cyrus w. Davis, secretary
of state, and his former political bed
fellow. Mr.. Davis came back with the
insinuation that Representative Pattangall
saw that the game was lost, and was not a
good loser.
However, the measure, which gave a
company control OF the largest unde-
veloped water power in the State OF Maine,
now goes to the next legislature and the
people are saved from ''the beast" for a
time, although it was not party vote
that did it.
Representative Davis, OF Yarmouth, was
the man who moved reference to the leg
islature of 1912 on the bill to prohibit
foreign corporations from engaging in the
business of generating electricity from
water powers in Maine. Two reports
were made on this bill, which Mr.. Davies
considered natural concomitant OF the
existing Maine water power laws. The
bill came in late in the session, and
there was no time for extended hearings
before the committee. By universal con-
o'er' Ane peopie VI asiue kenelaiy up
pear W approve Ootu Vi tuesc actious.