The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-01-09
GOVERNOR HAINES' ADDRESS.
Portland Express, Jan. 2nd.]


delivered at the capitol in Augusta, few
have measured up in statesmanlike grasp
of the situation presented in Maine af-
fairs, as well as does that delivered this
morning by Governor William T. Haines.
Governor Haines has an advantage over
some OF his predecessors of having had
intimate relations, by reason of personal
service, with both the legislative and
executive branches of the government.
And, being man of affai S, and being
the active, earnest, interested man of
affairs that he is, it would have been
very strange, indeed, if the inaugural
address this morning had been common
place. If it had not borne the marks of
craftsmanship, it would have been a
disappointment.
The first impression of the listener, as
the Governor delivered this address, was
the fact that he stands far above any
political plane. There is nothing, until
the very closing paragraph that indi-
Gates recognition, on the part of the
Governor, that the people over whom he
has been set, are divided into political
parties, and that paragraph, which rec
ognizes the political differences among
the people, is so broadminded, presents
so high an ideal, as to be the worthy
climax of an address Of especial strength,
for the Governor calls attention, in this
recognition Of political parties, to the
fact that he and the legislators whom he
was addressing, are servants of all the
people, and are not elected to repres ent
political parties in either the Legislative
or executive branch of government. 1t
is the high key note which will be COM
mended from the Canadian line to the
of oipa of hoe
elected Governor, and whose sole pur.
pose it is TO serve we'll the people who
have entrusted him with power.
The address is long We wish it
might have been shorter We sit down
to the perusal Of it with a feeling Ct
weight, because of its length, but we
conclude it with the knowledge that the
/ subjects which the Governor chose to
treat, could not have been treated with
brevitv, with the conclusion that any
omission would have been loss
The document is devoted almost eX-
clusively to giving to the people of
Maine definite and desirable information
about their State and its people. 1t
suggests little in the way of legislation,
and then only when it points out general
principles rather than any attempt to
enter into the details of the new laws to
be passed this Winter. Its many columns
are crammed full of facts, most of them
not widely known, ano hence of tremend-
Gus Importance to be said at this time,
because upon the intelligent citizenship
depends so much of the welfare of the
State.
The business interests Of the State,
the conditions of the agricultural, the
manufactures and fishing industries, are
laid before the people in a manner which
gives us, even in the small space occu-
pied, comprehe lsive grasp of their
conditions. while ne suggests only the
wisdom of such legislation as is neces-
sary to continue their prosperity.
Governor Haines devote5 much atten-
ton to the subject of good roads, here
again leaving details of new legislation
to be wrought out by the legisl ators
themselves. But he calls attention in a
definite way TO the matter of mainten-
ance, which is even more important, to
the Governors mind, than new construc-
ton. One recommendation which the
Governor makes regarding good roads,
is SO thoroughly practical as to demand
more than passing notice. His sugges-
ton of the employment of engineers
skilled in the several lines necessary for
successful road construction and road
maintenance brings to attention possible
method Of saving what has been a ire
mendous waste of public money upon the
roads of Maine.
He commends to the Legislature is
duty OF establishing a public utilities
commission, recommending strongly to
their especial attention the Wisconsin
law as one which has worked out favor
ably in other States.
With the hand of master, he out
lines the needs of the State in matters
concerned with water storage and fire
protection, and he suggests change
from the present taxing system of the
forest lands to one which shall pay an
income tax upon the product annually
taken from it. This is suggested inno-
walton. The Governor, whose familiar
ity with the matter is gained by his own
experience, believes that such tax would
tend to preserve the forests, thus afford
ing the water storage facilities which
are in danger of being ruined through
the denudation of extensive wild land
tracts. -