Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-20
They "ReoraanizedD?

directs and controls the Watervllle
Sentinel. The Watervillc Sentinel
does the State printing under tenn
porary arrangement which is merely
an evasion of the law. 1t profits finan-
cially by this arrangement"
The governor of Maine is owner of
the New Age, a weekly newspaper of
partisan makeup and of political pur-
pose. This paper has been named
state Paper by and with the consent
of the governor. The sole end of be-
ing the State paper is to enjoy the ex-
elusive income from fat orders of State
advertising.
Two years ago, this same WaterVille
Sentinel attacked Gov. Fernald vic
iously for something of which, person.
ally, he was totally unaware, viz. that
a larger sum of money from the State
funds, deposited in various banks of
M2ine. was in bank in Portland of
which the governor was director than
was in any other bank in Maine. 1t
was shown that the governor could
have no knowledge of the fact. 1t was
shown that the money was there to
meet an anticipated call through that
bank for payment of State liabilities.
But this made no difference. Michael
r. O'Brien of Portland went about the
State charging Gov. Fernald in most
abusive manner of profting from the
State.
Now-Voters-what is sauce for the
eander is sauce for the goose. VIII
these gentlemen tell us why they do
not denounce the position of the at
torney general and the governor in
these other matters? Would q strict
constructionist put himself in the atti-
tude of receiving as Il high official ia
vors such as exclusive printing con-
tracts or exclusive advertising con-
tracts? 1t does not serve as an excuse
to say that others have done 1t. The
iHiouity of others these reforEers SET
out TO reform. They were to be better.
Are they not worse?
We shall be interested in the reply;
for nobody but a democratic expert in
the fine art of imaginary reform, will
for a moment contend that there is any
thing progressive in this sort of Il
close corporation which does business
chiefly with itself so far as newspaper
patronage goes.-Lewiston Journal.
The Journal might have asked just
one more question which, if honestly
answered, would be more illuminating
to the public mind than either of the
others. 1t is this:
How many gentlemen of the Cover
nor and Council, and other officials
high in administration circles, were
DIRECTLY FINANCIALLY INTER
ESTED in the WaterviIe Sentinel at
the time the State printing contract
was declared void by the Supreme
Court of Maine?
And we know of quite a lot of people
who honestly believe that several OF
those high up" are at the present
time. directly or Indirectly. interested
in the concern with which the Gov
ernor and Council eight months ago,
made temporary arrangements" to
carry on the printing work under the
terms of a void contract.
And under this Illegal temporary
arrangement the State has lost thous-
ands of dollars.
1t is matter of public comment that
il those in position to control had not
been more than ordinarily interested in
the fortunes Of. the Waterville Sentinel,
a contract which was plainly and noto-
riously an outrage on the State would
not have been continued for more
chan year.
1t was manifestly the first duty of
the Governor and Council, after MAX
ing temporary arrangement to call
for bids for a new contract-a contract
at least within reasonable provisions OF
the law. with the "reorganized' Wat
erville Sentinel Co. or some other.
The belief is frequently expressed
that sucn slip shod arrangement would
net have been suffered, even by this
understanding regime, but for per-
sonal and private interests.