Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-07-22
Editorial Comment
Begin to Boost Haines.
LDAnAlaal Dnct


No matter if the political season is
still young in months regardless of the
fact that the wild field strawberries
are just now getting ripe. and although
Maine promises to have the greatest
hay crop on record this very summer.
it is none too early to begin and make
plans for the election of William 7.
Haines of Waterville as Governor of
Maine next September. No uncer-
tainty as to his choice by the Repub-
lican primaries exists. 1t was a fair
field. and friendly and generous
rivalry among three worthy candi-
dateg. The winner was Haines-.BiI"
Haines of Wateryille-"our' Bill
Haiies, whom we all know and trust
and earnestly desire to support.
The danger lies more in taking the
election of the Waterville man for
granted, and showing lack of per-
sonal interest in the size of the matt
GRITTY which the candidate. shall re-
ceive. than in any lack of merit in the
candidate or in the cause. The Maine
Democrats have enjoyed two years or
free swing" at the Maine offices, and
at the Maine treasury. They have de-
captitated many good men; and filed
the vacancies with spoilsmen and
plaee-hunters. They have settled back
into the leather-lined chairs and
smoked their pipes as if the spoils
of Maine were theirs by right In past
years they have complained most bit
terly about how much it costs to con-
duct the affairs of Maine; they have
promised radical reforms, a reduction
of salaries-praetical economy when
they could get in; and have had full
swing for two years. what have they
to show for il? Have they abolished
any useless offices? Certainly. How
many? At least one. There was one
lone perching roost-the assistant at
torney general. which was abolished,
and put out of business for good, let
it be hoped; and Maine saved some
$500 year by the abolition.
AS a matter of fact, has not "Fernald
extravag ance' been continued and in
tensified until it has become Maine
Democratic extravaganza? Has not
a new bond issue, amounting to mill
lions-nillions at 5 per cent interest
been authorized? Is ii not an admitted
fact that the $5,000,000 bonded loan for
highway improvement is not more than
bite into the apple of Maine roads?
How shall Maine raise the great
amount needed? Not from extra taxa
ton upon the automobiles, for certain.
The owners are now protesting about
the severity of the license that they are
compelled to pay-eyen now. when not
more than ten per cent of the total
Indebtedness has been contracted.
There is neither craftsmanship nor
high finance in contracting interest
bearing debts close UP to the limit
for the building of better roads. 1t Is
the spend-thrift who contracts debts
the wise and conservative who re-
trench.
one of the most moving tales which
has come down to us from the remote
past is that of Hercules and his labors
in cleaning out the Augean stables
The task of cleaning and purifying
stables Is familiar to most of us. 1t is
kind of work which requires no craft
or skilled labor-just stern bone and
muscle work That Hercules, a demi-
god, should come down to strenuous
endeavor and toll, and sweat among
the packed heaps of dressing in the
stable of an ancient and untidy king.
shows that he was not afraid of work.
He sought no soft job or favor from
anybody