Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
Favors Government Ownership.

We publish by request the following
copy of letter to Senator Johnson:
Augusta, Maine, January Is. 1915.
Hon. Charles +. Johnson,
U. S. Senate,
Washington, D. c.
Dear Senator Johnson
After reading in the columns Of the
Kennebec Journal letter to you from
Mr.. Mchaelis advising the residents OF
Maine to write you and urge you to use
all possible influence against the passage
of the Ship Purchase Bill, now before
Congress, l am deeply moved with the
grave Importance OF complying with Mr..
MichaeliS' wish that you should know
the sentiment of your constituents.
My idea of self government is to fam
iliarize myself with the political issues
OF the times, the platforms of the par
ties, the character of candidates chosen
to legislate into law the best policies and
to vote for the best man to carry them
through. / do not deem it my duty to
be constantly criticizing the acts of our
representatives or attempting las an out
slider who has no means of knowing the
whole situation as the man VINO is on
the spot and surrounded by all the facts
relating to the CaSe) to bias an official by
attempting to influence him. What l do
ask tor and expect as citizen OF this
commonwealth, is that you and every 9TH
er office holder act honestly and fear.eSS.y
in the interest of all the people, and TINS
confidence l repose in you my dear sir.
Mr.. Michaelis rhetorical appeal reminds
me of some of the walls that went forth
from some of our wise and PATRIOTIC Cl-
ZenS against the repeal of the Toll EN-
emptiOn Clause. 1t would be hard to find
man today that dares to admit that he
was opposed to it. Mr. Michaeis empha-
! sized the great importance of rising
above party prejudice and saving this
nation from war and international COM
plications. Is it impossible for Mr.. Mi
chaeiis to rise above party prejudice and
not recognize in President Wilson and
/ his Secretary of State the cha l.
pions of peace and universal rights this
nation has ever known? Does he dare
III the face Of established facts, accuse
these men of constructing a scheme or
passing law that would destroy the
very thing they have set their heart and
soul upon? Partisanship is the very
foundation of Mr.. Michaelis' argument.
! do not believe any intelligent citizen o!
Maine needs the advice of our friend in
New York on this matter Which is by no
means a serious affair any way.
Ny dear Senator, | sincerely hope you
Will aid in the passage of this bin as
much as possible. 1t is another piece OF
judicious legislation and should be
passed without being spoiled by COM
promise. Government control will even
tually. l believe. prove a failure. Indi-
Vidual control has already proven fail
| ure. The greed of man must be limited
| in its control or the destruction of life,
/ liberty and happiness will follow.
! Can any mortal man ask for a more
! powerful demonstration of this than by
what is taking place in Europe? Does
any rational man believe that under a
true Democracy, where the people ruled
and We're happy. prosperous and loved
each other, that they would so back to
the days of cannibals? Never. The peo-
/ pie of Europe have nothing to do with
! the making of this war, through blind
patriotism they are sacrificing their all
to the Gods of greed. When all the
masses of Europe are through this awful
capitalistic war reduced to peasantry,
I then the 2riS+Orr1cV will reign
/ for another 100 years while the producers
of all wealth enjoy the, comforts of Hell.
| Over indulgence through excessive
wealth destroys the essence of manhood
and womanhood. and creates an artif-
cial distinction between individuals. Ad-
uniting the failure of individual control
and the probable failure of Government
! control, We have but one alternative;
Government ownership, and the people s
control of their own destinies 1t never
looked disastrous to me to realize that
the people and that l had a small inter
est in it, and something to say how il
should be run. The mali service, parcel
post and the Panama Canal have not
proven failures. The Hartford & New
Haven and several other railroads have
proven failures to the stockholders and
/ the public service. We are coming to
Government ownership of the great mo-
when men will not be slaves but masters
of their own situation. The party that
advances this movement will stand next
to the people and for universal peace
and prosperity, not war or perpetual
! He'll. Biased minds can always see dis
aster in some form or another. The light
Of truth cannot penetrate the biased
mind. And We shall know the truth and
the truth shall make you free"
1t has been nearly 2000 years since this
| truth was uttered We are beginning to
realize the wisdom of this utterance
The everlasting power of the. God OF
mammon to prevent the dissemination OF
this truth and to hold humanity in its
grasp has reported its progress The
paid writer's of a subsidized press have
been faithful to their masters. Like the
picayune politician who sees only his
job, forgetting he is a public servant. II
is from these types of men and protected
interests that are being constantly heard
from in Washington, and not from the
thoughtful, industrious man at home, on
the farm, in the factory and in legitimate
| business This is the type of individuali-
ty, Mr.. Senator, that I believe you wish
| to serve. Your record is good and your
work has just begun. May God speed
you.
E. H. INGRAHAM