Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-01-07
NUMBER |.

under the primary election law has
occasioned a good deal Of discussion
during the last election.
II will be necessary for you to look
these two statutes over and 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.
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
az "the great white plague" am
pleased to say, however, that from
statistics given in the report Of the
state board OF health for the four
years ending Dec. 81, 1909, there has
been a great reduction in Maine In
the death rate from this cause during
the last eighteen years, 1892 to 1909.
both inclusive
The Maine State Sanitorium asso-
citation, a private institution estab-
lished In the town OF Hebron, has
been for a number OF years at work
In the relief and assistance Of the
people suffering from tuberculosis.
The state for q number OF years has
been making appropriations for this
work, and during the last two years
has given this institution about $751;
OOO.
Since the Hebron sanitorium was
established and within the past few
years there have grown up In di1er-
ent parts Of the state other institu-
-tions for relief and assistance In the
matter of prevention and cure OF tu-
berculosis. To my mind, such un-
dertakings are most commendable
and 1t Is the duty OF the state to aid
and assist in such work.
With the increased interest now
manifested in this subject throughout
the state, you are liable to have pre-
sented before you requests for appro-
priations for good many OF these
associations. In the place OF many
sundry appropriations, 1t would be
much better, to my mind, to make a
general appropriation, to be dis
tributed where most needed, and
where the most beneficial results
could be obtained.
Prohibition Law
For more than fifty years Maine has
had statutes prohibiting the manu-
facture, sale and keeping for sale OK
alcoholic and malt liquors. In 1885
this principle was adopted into our
constitution. For many years 1t has
been a subject Of political contention.
In 1910 it was again submitted to the
people, and by majority vote IN
1911 1t was again reaffirmed and kept
in the constitution. II The people
rule, as | believe they should. this
question is settled, and no public Of
ficer has any authority but to execute
the law against liquor selling In
faithful and impartial manner; and l
shall do all in my power, during my
term Of Office, to encourage the hon.
est enforcement OF all Of our statutes
against the liquor traffic. especially
ask the press OF the state. without
regard to It's political or party alle-
glance, to help in creating public
sentiment against rum selling and rum
drinking. 1t can do more to help or
more to hinder in this cause than any
other influence in the state.
have one suggestion to make
which may or may not need legisla-
ton, and that Is that more be done In
our common schools to teach the chill
dren the damaging effects Of alcohol
on the body and mind OF men, to the
moral and mental injury Of the race.
Gettysburg
There will be celebrated on July J.
4, 1913, under the auspices OF the
United States government and the
state Of Pennsylvania, the fiftieth an
nlversary of the battle Of Gettysburg,
upS, the battlefield at Gettysburg. II
Is esrl...--.,eL that there are now uy-
ing in the state Of Maine about $50
veterans who took part In this great
conflict, and | do not think there is
a taxpayer who would not be pleased
to contribute his part toward the
transportation of such as would like
to attend this great national peace
jubilee.
The Lobby
You will have the aid of the best
minds in the state. who will appear
before your committees and present
subjects for legislation. They Will
be parties in interest. trustees OF In
stitutions, paid attorneys and those
who appear without pay. and many
who claim to lie seeking the public
good only. The so-called lobby Is
always In attendance upon the legis.
lature. Their services may be very
valuable to you, and they may be a
stumbling block and hindrance. ]
charge you, one and all, never to for
get that you represent all the people
of the state. Laws when enacted
know no party, creeds, localities or
distinction Of citizens. They are
made for all.
Legislation
The amount of work you will have
to do, l cannot anticipate. A great
many important matters were re-
ferred to you by the last legislature
and are ready for immediate consid-
Grafton. Make every day count from
the start. You are here as agents
and servants OF the people to do their
work. and it Is your duty to enter
upon it at once, as you would any
other work or employment.
state Department
have not had time in which to
discuss the various executive and ad-
ministrative departments Of the state.
You will have the report OF each
placed before you. These are worthy
Of your careful study and considers
tion.
politics and Policies