Ellsworth American., 1913-01-08
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY s, 1915
The Governors Address.

In the list of able and distinguished
statesmen who have been elected
governors of Maine, none ever entered
that Office with a more thorough
grasp of affairs of public import, or a
more intimate first hand knowledge
of the workings of legislative, execu-
tive and judicial branches of the gov
ernment, than William T. Haines.
This was reflected in his inaugural ad-
dress, necessarily long because of its
comprehensiveness, but getting right
down to the meat of each subject dis
cussed.
Governor aaines has been so long
before the public, and has given so
unstintedly of his knowledge, in press
and speech, that his attitude on the
big questions of the State is we'll
known. His inaugural address,
therefore, brought no surprises; it
reached the high expectations of the
people.
Governor Haines, at the outset,
outlines the general condition of the
Stale, it's growth, it's agriculture, it's
manufactures, it's fisheries, its game
resources and its summer business. In
his reference to the sea and shore fish,
cries, he devotes considerable space
to a discussion of the lobster laws,
and suggests, rather than recon-
mends, law to prevent the shipment
of Holsters out Of the State during
July and August.
In a discussion of State taxes, re-
sources and expenditures, Gov. Haines
quotes at length from the State treas
urer's reports. He sums up his posi-
tion in regard to expenditures as fol-
lows:
There is no economy in having large sur
plus in the treasury, and it may be a source
of difficulty for you. Those seeking appro-
priations for different things will urge it as
reason why the appropriations they want
should be made. The ability Of the State to
meet any appropriation which the legislature
may make should never be doubted. but the
wisdom of making q given appropriation
should never depend upon the amount of
cash hand. If it is wise to make an ap-
preparation, it can make no difference
=. whether the money at the time is in the
\, State treasury or in the pockets of the people.
n recommend that ynu e..rsfailv scrntinize all
: appropriations aSse l,.- and grant them
: npon their merit only
~. Gov. Haines has SO many times
raised his voice in behalf of advanced
ideas in highway Improvement, that
his treatment of this important mat
ter in his inaugural could easily have
been forecasted. He goes into the
subject with detail that indicates
how closely he has studied it. In re-
gard to State aid to municipalities for
highway work, he says:
While have no desire to take road build
ing or repairing away from the municipali-
ties, yet do want them to have the assist
Ance of more and better engineering. / do
not think that any money should be paid by
the State treasury to any municipality until
there is guaranty by law that it shall be ex-
pended for the best highway construction
known to modern science.
The governor urges the Importance
OF workmen's compensation law
that will keep Maine abreast with
other states in legislation looking to
the protection of wage earners.
In an able discussion of public utili-
ties, the governor expresses the
opinion that the time has come, both
in the interest of the public service
companies and the public, for the
establishment of a public service COM
mission.
In reference to water storage and
forest protection, he says:
The problem is to use as evenly as possible
every day in the year the forty-two inches of
rainfall we have annually I insist that the
first requisite is the preservation of the for
ests from destruction by fire, and the next,
the regulation of the amount of cutting done
upon the forest lands.
Ihave one more suggestion to make in re-
gard to the administration of the forestry de-
pertinent of the State and this particularly
with reference to our forest fires. In addition
to the forestry commissioner and those who
Advise and assist him in the execution of the
duties of his office, would like to see for
estry board established, composed Of four
who are largely interested in the forest
Hands on the four principal rivers Of the State
the st. John, Penobscot. Kennebec and
Androscoggin. From my experience 1 am
sure that such board would be of invaluable
assistance to the forestry commissioner in
the selection of wardens and deputy wardens
to take charge Of the practical work of the
protection and preservation of the forests
against FIRE in the different localities where
the forests are located
The governor suggests such changes
In the primary election law and cor
rupt practices act as will bring them
into harmony with each other and
add to their practical usefulness. "Ir