Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-05-08
Correspondence.
GOV. Piaisted.
NoRrH PKNoBsooT, April %, 1912


Gov. Plaisted reminds me OF simple
minded girl, who withai was very plain.
She frequently overheard callers COM
menting on her lack OF beauty. Her
mot her one day made her fiashy dress,
OF which she was very proud, so every
time stranger or neighbor came in she
would hasten to get this dress, and
stretch 1t up in front Of hsr, exciaiming;
''see this; isn't this pretty7"
Gov. plaisted has made rather honely
record on the rum question, and about
every time II Is alluded TO he pops up some
where, and spreads ont his financial record
and virtually boasts: ''Isn't this splendids
See how much better | have done than
Fernsld did"
In his speech at Fairfield he declared,
in substance, that Fernsld didn't have the
backbone to veto appropriations, and with
solicitation pointed TO his one great veto
feat, the Portland institution, and referred
to his cut-down of the appropriation from
SIS, 900 to $4,000, and the extenuating cir
cumstanees under which He acted with so
much back bone. sv. 60
1t now appears, to reliable republican
critic who has analysed the situation,
that reckoning the big ststehouse i'm
provement tor which 1t is said Gov.
Pisisted earnestly fought before the COM
mittee as a permanent asset, that Gov.
Plaisted's so-called financial record in
economy is still si0o, 900 behind Fernald's.
But what does few dollars weigh in the
scale of this campaign compared with the
great moral issues involveds When we
consider the attitude OF the democratic
leaders in their desperate attempt to
overcome the will of the people by re-
guided by no minimum majority rule
established by law to satisfy disgruutled
majority that happens to be in power, and
would like to substitute that power for
the will OF the people, we discover how
little confidence we can place in that
party, or its leaders, rather, who are not
afraid to trust the people, but are ever
guided by the still, small voice OF de-
mocracy.
Neither Gov. rernaId nor Gov. Piaisted
is very largely responsible for the finsn-
cial side OF their administrations. The
governor has no power to limit or increase
appropriations, except by order OF the leg
recommit and veto legislation, but should
keep his hands OF that body while In
operation, unless he has some special sd-
vice to communicate.
The governor may put his foot down on
extsavagsnt, unnecessary or harmful legis-
istion which Ia altogether too abundant,
and should have the stamina to do 80, but
he should never assume the role Of lobbyist
or the role OF the egotistic, monopoiist
appropriating honors which he should
share only in part.
/ have been q member OF the legislature
when there was but one democrat in the
House, and then again when there were
more than fifty, and ! never saw them
wearing economy buttons, nor exhibiting
great nervousness or strong kicking pro-
pensities over big appropriations, but they
were very much like republicans-wanted
all they could get for their constituencies.
For the last few years, prior to 1911, it is
said the appropriations increased in num-
Der and size, and SO did the democratic
minority. This large minority ought to
have lined up and put their hats on for re-
form under the Fernald administration,
and excited a patriotic and powerful in
fluence over the republican legislature.
But, alas, when they discovered q hole in
the Fernald administration, the bugle cry
of extravaganza, graft and reform rang
out over the hills Of Maine, and democracy
came into power with q pledge Of economy
in its mouth.
The great bulk Of democracy, like the
great bulk OF republicans, are honest, in
| telligent and weil-meaning citizens, and
aim through their party to secure a pure,
economical and just administration, but
they are often misled and deceived by pro-
fessional politicians, and q few rattle
headed demsgogues who mount the fence
along the political highway and excitedly
point to the dangers in the forests beyond
II.
/ N