Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-08
Governor Plaisted,s Action.

AS the Kennebec Journal forecasted
in it's issue of Saturday August 5,
Governor Plaisted has submitted the
question of the printing contract OF
the Waterville Sentinel Pub Co. and
its validity. while the present Secre-
tary of State is a stakeholder in and
treasurer of the Sentinel Company, to
the Supreme Court of Maine. We
ceptance of this sensible plan of set
ting the matter to the satisfaction of
the parties concerned. as well as to
the general public. We regret only
that he had not at the same time sub
mitted the questions suggested by the
Journal as TO the legality of the ballot
if provided NOT in accordance with
the plain provisions of the law.
We accept, with due respect, the
decision of the matter by the justices,
newspaper controversy concerning it
might cease But. inasmueh as the
Governor saw fit to make his action
public through only one newspaper Of
the State, and that newspaper the one
interested in the controversy, and
controlled by the other party in ques-
ton, We deem our duty to our readers
of paramount Importance to that of a
aa NV no in a
party organ, and our privilege to throw
upon il any information that may have
come to light
To Kennebec Journal readers who
may have been somewhat puzzled by
the wording of the Governors COM
munica ton, which seems to be a de-
Tense of position rather than law, we
would explain that the Governor has
his political associates to satisfy. and
doubtless he wished to place Secretary
of State Davis in as favorable a light
as possible. We do not anticipate that
this will in any way affect the decision
of the court, for the point at issue is
not how MUCH Mr.. Davis is interested
in the Sentinel contract. but whether
he has ANY "pecuniary interest, di-
rectly or indirectly"
The declaration that the secretary
of State has nothing whatever to do
with the auditing of State bills. or APP
proval or payment of same, is some
what misleading. The secretary of
State has in two important particu-
lars, to do with the auditing and pay
ment of the bills of the Waterville
Sentinel Company, he has to sign the
vouchers, ON which payment is based
for all work done for his department.
Second, after the individual items are
estimated by the clerk in the auditor s
office. the bill is sent to Secretary of
State Davis. for his approval as a
whole, for quantity only. This OPP
OF the ballot contract is larger than
that of the auditor. In case of errors
it is the secretary of State who deter
mines whether the State or the print
CT bears the expense.
One might say with equal truth thai
the buyer of large business concern
had nothing 10 do with the payment
of the bills because the auditor anG
treasurer paid them. As a matter oil
fact, the buyers approval would be a
very necessary part of the transac-
ton. The buyer also would have a
larger opportunity for jobbery
1t is 10 be presumed that the Cover
nor, having requested suspension of
the newspaper controversy, has also
requested of Secretary of State Davis
and the Waterville Sentinel Pub. Co,
suspension of work on the official
ballot, until such time as the justices
OF the Supreme Court make known
their decision in the case.
In the Journal State House depart
ment this issue appears in fun the
Governors communication to the
court.