Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-29

to go back to my home and my constitu-
ents on record as lodging the issue.
Here Is matter that demands atten-
tlon; give your attention to H."
5t-Also again: AS the party in
power the Republican party of the State
owe the people of this State something,
s and there is a case where they can give
the matter their attention. Too long
nave the rights of the people been SUBJ
ordinate to the wishes OF the few, and /
say to you, gentlemen. that now when
the issue comes squarely before you is
the time to give this matter attention
ana hope that the members of the
republican party, the members on the
moor of this House who believe in doing
their duty will not go back TO their
homes on record that on account of the
WISHES of the few, on account of the
WISHES OF the ring, on account of the
plans and well-laid schemes of that ring
we go back to our homes putting off
matter that demands our attention now,
and our whole attention.
SS-The Republican Legislature of 1899
would not support me in this matter, al
though in 1901 I was able to get a bill
through the Legislature increasing the
Taxation of the Railroads.
| 81 am quite willing to have my rec
| ord while member OF the House and
enate compared with that of the can
| didates of the Republican and the Dem
ocratc parties on any of these meas
ures which were directly opposed by the
| leaders of the Republican and Demo
cratic parties, although the rights of
corporations were sought to be abridged
and the rights of the people enlarged.
| 4o-Instead of being subservient to the
Republican bosses during my service in
the Maine Legislature as you allege, you
will note and by your paper admit that
|
that / was called ADVANTAGEOUS
Kuss' by members of the Republican or
ganization, who endeavored to sidetrack
and stife legislation favorable to the
| people, introduced and fought for by
| myself.
4-If you desire l shall be glad to give
you more intimate details of the fight
made against the mileage and taxation
| bills by the men then in control of the
| Republican party and the tactics adopted
by Republican lobbyists who appeared
at Augusta representing railroad cor
porations in opposition to these two bills,
manv of whom are now members of the
! Republican organization and supposed
to be the leaders of the Republican
party.
42-You might inquire of Governor
Haines why, as a member of the Commit
tee on Judiciary in 1895 he reported Ought
not to pass" on norder to inquire
whether the European and North Ameri-
can Railroad Company had ever COM
piled with the conditions upon which the
public moneys and lands of this State
were granted to that corporation, and
why he changed his vote on bill to
provide for fortnightly payment of
wages by railroads, when in 1899 he vot-
ed in favor of the bin and two years
later, apparently having had a vision, he
voted against the bill. Also why, as a
member of the Senate in 1899 he voted
against a bill which had FOR its purpose
the regulation of railroad fares and
freight charges and which was killed in
the Senate largely through the efforts
of Mr.. Haines. who was at that time a
member of three of it's most important
committees.
Awaiting the pleasure of your reply, I
am,
Very truly yours,
H P. GARDNER.