Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-03
10Th MAINE LEGISLATURE.
CONTINUED from Page F'ive.)

their use has shown that they are not
in all particulars in harmony or con-
sistent with each other. Our Law
Court has already declared one Sec
ton of the corrupt practices act I'M
constitutional, and the number of
ballots that it is necessary to print
under the primary election law has
occasoned a good deal of discussion
during the last election.
1t will be necessary for you to look
these two statutes over anCg make
such corrections in both as is neces-
sary to bring them INTO harmony with
each other, and to add to their prac
teal usefulness. 1t is my opinion that
no law has been enacted in the State
which has met with more general APP
prevail by the masses of the people
than has the direct primary law. It's
operation tends to do away with the
claim that the State is being ruled by
political bosses, and that the people
are not fairly represented in official
capacity. With the direct primary
law, if the people avail themselves of
it, no just claim of this nature can
ever be made III the future against
any political organization. 1t should
tend to create respect for, and faith
in, public officers, and a greater re-
spect for the mandates of the people;
and any effort to change or override
their decision when once fairly OBJ
tanned should be considered a most
dangerous attack upon the funda-
mental principles of government by
the people.
tuberculosis.
The question of health is one Of vital
Importance to the people of the State,
and we have had established for a
great many years a State Board of
Health. People who are in good health
realize very little the extent of the
disease, known the world over as the
great white plague" l am pleased to
say, however. that from statistics Civ
Ell in the report of the State Board Of
Health for the four years ending De-
eember 31st, 1909 there has been
great reduction in Maine in the death
rate from this cause during the last
eighteen years, 1892 to 1909, both in
elusive. Deaths from tuberculosis of
all kinds 1 find decreased from 1913 to
1858, and from pulmonary tuberculo-
sis, from 1852 to S30-every year show
ing a steady and constant reduction.
Our State Board of Health commenced
early in its history to publish a paper
which was distributed widely through
out the State. known as the Sanitary
Inspector" For lack of funds, this
publication was discontinued for
awhile OF late it has been re-estab-
lished and is now issued under the III
tie Of THE Bulletin of the State Board
of Health" and | have no doubt that
this little publication has had "a great
influence upon the suppression of all
manner of contagious diseases, bring
ing to the minds of the citizens many
questions of hygiene, better methods
Of living, and the proper care and pre-
vention of disease. and especially upon
the subject of tuberculosis.
1t has also issued one or two special
bulletins upon the subject of tubereu-
losis. which have been widely distrib-
uted. and have undoubtedly produced
good results.
The Maine State sanatorium Asso-
citation. a private institution establish
ed in the Town of Hebron, has been
for number of years at work in the
relief and assistance of the people suf-
fering from tuberculosis. The State
for number of years has been MAX
ing appropriations for this work, and
during the last two years has given
this institution about SOS, 900
Since the Hebron Sanatorium was
established and within the past few
years there have grown up in different
parts of the State other Institutions
for relief and aSSiStanpa i'm the r1aatter
of prevention and cure of tuberculosis.
These institutions have been establish
ed by certain public spirited and phil
anthrOpic people. with the desire only
of helping their fellow men. They are
contributing considerable time, ener-
gy and money to this work. One or
two of these institutions have received
slight aid from the State by special
appropria lions. To my mind, such I'M
dertakings are most commendable and
it is the duty of the State to aid and
assist in such work.
On basis of economy, regard being
had to the great loss of life from this
dread disease particularly the loss
among young people, the State can
well afford to use reasonable efforts
and considerable financial aid : in
stamping out this disease. / under
stand that since the session of the last
legisla ture there has been formed the
Maine Anti-TuberculosiS Association
and | understand they propose to
present to this legislature some we'll
defined plans for carrying on this
work with greater efficiency. Our State
is so large that this work must neces-
sarily be done in number of places.
In fact, the work must be carried to
the homes of the people, by showing
them how to take care of their health,
and especially how to treat persons
when first affected with this disease,
in order to secure their permanent re-
covery. In order that this work may
be done with reasonable economy and
the greatest efficiency, it is necessary
that there should be some authorize
tive head, especially for the expendi-
ture of any money which the State
may appropriate for this purpose. 1t
would seem that the State Board of
Health, already organized, with such
assistance as may be found necessary
in addition to the force which it now
has to carry on its WORK, is the proper
medium through which this work