Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-09-02
STRAIGHT TALK.
j. NJ. Hutchins, of Penobscot, Writes
of Haines' Administration.

of Haines' Administration.
Hon. Joseph NJ. Hutehins, of North ,Penob-
scot, in Bangor Neses.l
What's the matter with Hsines7 Moth
ing--except that he has given us one OF
the best administrations Maine has had
for many years.
Morally and financially it stands unas-
sailed. and it makes me smile to read the
comparatively insignificant charges made
against him, and to note the straits in
which the opposing parties find them
selves in attempting to form an effective
line OF attack against him; for If he is not
entitled to reelection we may not hope
to find one who will be in the next quarter
of century. Now, what is all this POI
litical furry overs Why must q new
political party and candidate invade the
field to defeat himf Has he been guilty
of dishonesty, shown lack Of business
Judgment, or allowed the laws of the State
to be nuIlified? None of these charges
stand against him. What is the trouble
then?
Why, he came pretty near vetoing the
500 miles mileage book bili-for the rea-
son that commission was to be APP
to investigate the facts and do justice to
the public aud the railroads. Is there
anything wrong or unsound in that posi-
ton?
There have been many attempts to in
flame the public mind against the rail-
roads for political purposes.
The railroads are public necessities in
this age of industrial development, and
their rights should be as sacrejly guarded
as their own private interests.
What is the next charge? Why, he ap-
pointed three lawyers as a commission
under the public utilities law, and thereby
created court. "Three corporation law
yers," says the Lewiston Journal, echoing
the language and tone of the democratic
men. When the appointments were made
thought they would be subject to criticism
and partisan opposition, but that mature
reflection would steady the public iudg-
ment. Now the powers and duties of the
commission are defined by the law Great
ing it, and it is no more a judicial body
because three lawyers were appointed
than il three doctors, manufacturers or
farmers had been. The occupations or
professions of the men composing that
body in no wise affect the character OF
their duties.
They should weigh facts fairly and
there will necessarily be more or less
law mixed with these facts; and i can
conceive of no man better qualified for
the position than the fair minded BUSH
ness man and lawyer who has acquired
knowledge of corporations
on the range of his ciientage. Three such
sound, fair-minded lawyers-among the
cleanest and ablest in the State-as Gov
ernor Haines appointed to guard alike the
rights OF the public and public service
would be as faithful to their
trust and should command the same pub
lie confidence as the supreme court itself
every member of which probably at some
time has been counsel for corporations.
This filling the air with politicalidust to
blind peoples eyes to sane facts is an old
trick of the politician.
The next charge ] have pressed into
nutshell is that Gov. Haines hasn't closed
all the saloons in Bangor and is therefore
hypocrite. / never saw such hard strug-
Cling among opponents to get man ''into
a hole'. Has not Gov. Haines exhausted
all the power he has at present to enforce
the law in Bangor? Has any one Of his
predecessors done as much, or, il defeated,
will his successor be likely to do more in
this direction? What have you to expect
OF Oakley Curtis, il elected? Has he not
openly declared for notification in his
own city, and with the wide open bar
rooms in almost every city in the State
under the Plaisted administration in the
background for an. example9 What do
you hope from Gardner if elected? He
stands on very weak enforcement plat
form, and in none of his speeches has he
come out boldly and squarely for better
enforcement or made any promises in this
direction, so far as have read them-but
with wave of his hand he dismisses the
subject with the remark, ''Of course we
are all for enforcement, but the burning
question is industrial development"
Now let every republican turn out on
election day from patriotic sense Of duty
to himself, his children and chiidren's
children, and vote to re-elect man who
has a sense of his moral and official obliga-
tions to the State and has the courage to
obey them; and whose administration
has exerted an uplifting moral influence
all over the State, and placed the State on
a splendid financial basis.
Endorse Il. +. Mahoney.