Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-02-29
Governor at the Caucus.

On the streets of Augusta, Wedues-
day, comment dealt largely with the
address of Governor Plaisted at the
Democratic Caucus, Tuesday evening.
1t is evident to the public that Demo-
cratic leaders are alarmed; that i'll
spite of his fear of lowering the CUB
ernalorial dignity, the Governor deem
ed ii necessary To take hand in city
affairs.
That the Governor is deeply disturb
ed by conditions is apparent from his
throwing himself into the campaign
The fact that he devoted much of his
lengthy address to the Kennebec jour
nal shows that some of the many
facts presented by this newspaper
have struck home.
We, of course. feel honored by this
amount OF attention from 50 high a
source. but can hardly agree with the
Governor that we have "slurred" the
city administration. We have pre-
sented plain facts without bitterness
or personal mention. He does not
deny our statements. They can be
verified by investigation of public
records. If facts constitute a slur on
public officials then we must plead
guilty 10 the charge made by the
Governor.
The Governor seems to disagree with
his own inaugural OF 1906 in which he
said that the policy of the Republicans
of paying the debt as it comes due
should be adhered to. He does not
that policy has not been adhered to,
are correct, but attempts to confuse
the issue by INDUCING in personali-
ties ana a lengthy attack upon the
Kennebee Journal.
We have shown i'll plain and simple
figures without assailing anyone, that
had the policy adopted by Republicans
and carried out for seven years, then
approved by Mayor Plaisted, been
continued up to March l, 1912. the debt
would have been further reduced ST.
600, leaving a balance to pay of $lSS,-
issues
When the Democratic administra
ton was elected in 1906, the bonded
debt was S259,3oo.
On March 1, 1912, the debt, eNclu-
sive of school bonds and minus the
sinking fund, will be $277 ,S99,92
Thus we have an actual increase OF
the bonded debt of S,599.92, instead
of the decrease of 81 COG which would
have been made if the Republican pol
icy of debt paying had been maintain
ed, difference of $S9, 1892.
refute the above statement OF facts
in dignified way, he need have had
no fear OF lowering the gubernatorial
dignity by taking charge of the Demo-
cratic city caucus. But an attempt
to inject bitterness into ar otherwise
good natured and quiet campaign
savers of desperate straits on the part
of Democratic leaders, and the same
methods by our Governor as those
adopted by the attorney general ar
WaterVille.
In the figures quoted by Governor
Plaisted at the caucus he did not
refer to the failure. in both 1910 and
1911, to provide for the payment OF
$4,000 in the maturing bonds of the
city-$3), 900 in two years.
He did not tell his hearers that this
$4,000 must be paid in coming years,
| in addition to other maturing bonds.
Neither did he recall the fact that $40,
600 must be added to the taxes of 1912
to make up for the shortage of 1911
These two items alone show that the
| Democratic administration of the last
two years has postponed the payment
| OF Guy oDHSauohS TO the amount Ol
$4,000
| No amount of personal fiings on tho
| part OF the Governor, in taking charg,
of the city campaign, can change thes,
| figures. The proof is to be had b,
those who wish to know. We believ'
that whether Mayor Moves is re
elected or Republican is elected
there is 4 difficult row to hoe ahead 0
the incoming executive.