Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-13
PROGRESSIVE CONVENTION
Continued from Page TWO

vincing the voters that we are a sep
arate party and in earnest.
Action by the rule of political eX-
pediency brings curious results.
The dominant wing of the Demo-
cratic party, controlling the Plaisted
administration, deemed it politically
expedient to overlook the party pledge
for law enforcement. 1t missed "a
great opportunity. 1t forfeited the
confidence of the voters
The present Republican administra-
ton deems it politically expedient to
make Prohibition its paramount is
sue, hoping to hold the Prohibition
vote by the claim that statewide en-
forcement is real, and that they were
actually keeping faith. Recent de-
velopments have conclusively proved
our contentious to the contrary.
No man who voted the Progressive
ticket in 1912-no man who believes
in our national LEADERSHIP man who
subscribes to our party platform-nn-
less his credulity be abnormal need
feel the slightest call of duty or con-
science to forsake the Progressive
party and support the present admin
istration because of its unusual, hon
est, state wide, actual enforcement of
the prohibitory law.
For certain Republican leaders to
urge national prohibition, expecting TO
get Progressive votes, they we'll know
ing conditions in Penebscot and Knox
counties. is an insult to the intelli-
gence of our voters. To call our State
platform a "straddle" on enforcement
with the record of these Republican
leaders so we'll known, is a farce. To
ask Roosevelt supporters to come back
and follow the old leaders in national
politics because they have reformed
is rank effrontery.-To urge voters to
support the present Republican ad-
ministration for its legislative record
for its eager desire to remove reg
ulating sheriffs its hearty. state
wide, non-political, efficient, law en-
forcement, takes unusual assurance.
The prohibitory law should not be
a political issue. In view of condi-
lions enforcement should be an issue.
The prohibitory law has been twice
affirmed by the voters of this State
as the system in which they believe
for regulation of the liquor evil. When
the people want any law changed
they will say so.
ty to cover on the enforcement issue.
For time, at least, l think we can
give attention to the discussion of 9TH
err issues.
Rate regulation is a most important
matter. Both old parties in this State
have PLACED politics with it and have
postponed from time to time by diff
ferent methods giving the people a
low IL. mill
ties commission. When the business
of the State most needs the power I
the State to supervise public service
corporations with monopolistic privi-
leges, we are helpless. The biggest
transportation business and the largest
public service corporation in Maine
the Maine Central Railroad Co, is
increasing it's charges. We are not
opposed to big business. We fully
realize that big business must have
square deal, but the amount taken
from the pockets of the people of this
State by the Maine Central Railroad
Co. can fairly be increased only when
that corporation can show the increase
warranted and necessary, by reason
of unavoidable conditions. Before be-
ing permitted to increase freight or
passenger rates it should be obliged
to show a complete record of its past
doings and its present condition, and
should not be allowed any increase
until this has been done and thor
ough investigation made. No increase
should be granted if needed only by
reason of careless management, ex-
orbitant salaries to officials. or be-
cause they have been Juggling with
financial affairs and mixing the rail-
road business with speculation to the
advantage of the few high in author
ity in railroad affairs, or influential in
political affairs.
The State has the right to regulate
rates. Dividends to stockholders is
not the whole issue. In view of the
criticism of Progressive party action
by Republican leaders, return criti-
cism may be fairly made. We criti-
cize the present chief executive for
vetoing the five hundred mile mile
age book bill and submit this for your
consideration: if a two-cent rate on
five hundred mile book is not fair to
the railroads and they must have two
and quarter cents, is ii consistent
to oppose a two and quarter cent
rate on thousand mile book? What
ever is a fair rate should consistently
apply to all purchases of mileage.
Again we criticize the governor for
opposing a two-cent rate on five
hundred mile book and then revers-
ing his position by opposing a two
and a quarter cent rate on a thou
sand mile book.
Later in the campaign it will be our
duty to discuss fairly before the voters
every subject matter included In our
State platform. This will be done
when our real campaign begins
1t would be most fortunate for the
pockets of our tax payers throughout.
the State If we had now the recall.
l urge upon every man, sincerely in
accord with the principles of the Pro-
gressive party in state and nation to
do his full duty in the coming election.
Do not be turned aside by the con-
tin1ed. persistent and needless clam
or about the system of handling the
liquor evil. The people of this State
can be and should be trusted at all
los