Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-09-11
Tho Governors Explanation.


1t is the hope of the Kennebec
Journal that every reader will care
fully consider the statement by GOV
Oakley c. Curtis in this issue. It is,
obviously, the statement the Governor
told our reporter he would make later
that day, when the now famous fig
ures were given our reporter on Aug.
81. The Governor again repeats his
assertion that the figures which the
journal published on Sept. /, were
not intended for public consumption,
although the same figures had been
given to another papers representa-
tive. previous to the request for them
BY our reporter, with the suggestion
that they be given prominence.
The question of misunderstanding
does not matter; we are in the busl-
ness of giving the news facts to the
public. If the States finances are in
a bad way and the system of account
ing such that even expert accountants
cannot tell whether the State has a
deficit or surplus, then it is our
conviction that the people as well as
the Council. should know, and. so far
as we are able, we shall give the facts.
The Governor characterizes his
statment as contention" and his
belief that he can prove he is right.
If he is right we and our readers
wish to know it. To that end we are
giving prominence TO every word that
the Governor utters.
seems to be aimed at the kennebec
Journal. He gives us great credit for
bringing out for public use certain
claimed to-be facts intended for
private understanding. We accept the
advertising with thanks and the i'm
piled compliment with becoming
bushes. If we have opened pocket
that will result in better service for
the State, we are glad of it.
AS to the political end of the Incl
dent. We believe the public WILL after
reading the Governors elaborate eX-
PLANTATION. agree with us that we beat
him to the mark" and that is why he
is, manifestly, SO wrought up over 1t.
The Governor does not deny that the
figures he now says We're given Us for
private reading, were given to
Democratic paper with a request to
publish and display. Nor does the
Governor claim that our reporter was
even asked NOT to publish the figures
he had openly proclaimed in Council
meeting, and even then in the hands
Of the reporter for another newspaper.
Let us, then. be most generous with
the Governor and assume that he be-
lieved the indictment of the last Re-
publican administration so severe that
the Journal would not care to publish
it and would preserve the copy for Sc
cret reading.
The Governor. on Aug. 81 promised
an explanation of his figures, and in
this issue we are giving his eXplana-
ton as it came to us. We ask its
careful reading.
So far as the former state Auditor
Is concerned we are confident that
Mr.. Callahan can care for himself,
and hereby invite him to make use of
our columns in reaching those who
may read today's statement from the
Governor
If the Governor is engaged only in
making the system of accounting more
ineligible to the average citizen. we
wish him full success. but if he has
opened the biennial Democratic at
tempt of recent years to con-
fuse the public for political pur-
poses. we shall attempt to present
the facts so that all Maine may
understand. No expert is required
to present our position, but we
shall give our readers the benefit of
any expert study Of the States fl
nances that we can secure.
With these things in mind, we hope
our readers will study the Governors
explanation to see what they can