Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-01-06
Gov. PIaisted's Inaugural.


OF the newspaperman and natural
taste for we'll rounded and sonoIous
sentences.
We congratulate the first Democratic
Governor since his father, on his in
augural We believe Gov. Plaisted is
sincere in his declaration that he Will
give the best that is in him to the SER
vice Of the State We believe that we
know the general purposes Of the new
executive pretty well. having neigh
bored with him these many years, and
we were aware that his message would
ed to acquiesce in some of his doctrines
because we know him as an honest and
purposeful man. and there are no two
honest ways of treating some subjects.
We do agree with him where he is
right but reserve the prerosativee of
disasreeing with him where we believe
the policies of Democracy as voiced by
him are inimical to public interests.
TO the lay mind and the average
legislator, his handling of the financial
affairs of the State is no more intelli-
gible than have been the similar proc
lamations for partisan purposes pre-
viously submitted The presentation of
figures. explained by phrases calcu-
lated to confuse, has been the partisan
work of both sides. We believe the
fair-mirded readers of all parties will
agree with us that the familiar jug
Cling of bookkeepers' terms have been
well calculated to befuddle the situa-
ton while pretending to elucidate it.
How many of the congregated Jaw
the States financial condition, much
more to attempt to explain it to their
constituents?
The new Governor has taken safe
and sane grounds as regards economy,
care in expenditures. and business
methods. 1t is a sign of the times.
President Taft is urging the same poll
cies. Governors of various states (not-
ably GOV. Dix of New York; are ap-
pealing to public sentiment through
urging legislatures to economiZe. Dix
would save sl,000000 this year Foss
breaches retrenchment; Gov. Baldwin
declares for care in expenditures and
strict business methods. Gov. Bass de-
nIands further reduction of the State
debt and greater economy. Gov. Di-
neen not only wants economy but pro-
poses to push the bribery investiga-
tions.
Happily we have no cause for inves-
tigation. Not even the most partisan
Democrat would charge anything but
an honest record against the outgoing
administration. Accepting the verdict
of quarter of million dollars yearly
deficit charged to the Fernald admin
istration, where has it gone? Has ever
all administration accomplished so
added SO many permanent improve
ments to the assets of the State; so
much to State valuation? This Leg
lsiature We'll remembers the last pre-
ceeding and the nearly three quarters
of a million dollars which Gov. Fer
Maid Topped from the estimates. Will
Gov. Dix, in the big state of New York.
do any better than that, with all his
biare fer economy?
We agree with Gov. Plaisted that
there are laws enough if thev are en-
forced. Suppose he give us a demon
stration of a Legislature that isn't IN
the business Of making laws.
Ihe Governor says: IF a small part
OF the energy which has been cxpend- :
ed IN ollr State in an attempt to lessen
thc eViis OF intemperance by law had
peeh directed to the creation of a
strong public sentiment against int.m-
perance a greater advance would have
been made. Instead of relying unon
the good Judgment and intelligence OF
our fellow citizens, and their desire to
make the most of life and it's opportu
mites we have pursued the false
course of relying upon law"
And the Democratic party has made
itself notorious as an advocate of out
lawry as affecting prohibition and has
| been a greater influence than any 9TH
er possible to name against public
sentiment Of temperance!
The Governor goes ON
The people of Maine are and always
nave been a temperate people. | be-
| ncVe We have shared in the general
| uplift If the human race CONSEQUENT
| upon the greater mastery of man owe,
| himself and the greater demand in al
walks of life for men of clear brain.
as well as honest hearts; just as / al
| so believe that today is better thar
| was yesterday and that tomorrow viii
! be better than today. More could have
been accomplished by an honest effor:
| to get our fellow man to regulate him
| self by forces from within than by try
ing to regulate him by forces from
| without"