Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-22

an investigation of the railroads Of
Maine was expressed by Clement S.
Stetson of Greene in his farewell ad-
Dress as State master at the opening
session today Of the annual conven-
ton Of the Maine State Grange.
Il believe the most serious mistake
made by this legislature said Mr..
Stetson, was a refusal to grant the
request for an investigation: and 1
predict that in the near future an edu-
Gated. awakened public sentiment will
bring about what your representatives
refused to give YOU"
For Woman Suffrage
With only one dissenting vote, a
resolution favoring national consti-
tutional amendment to grant woman
suffrage was passed by the State
Grange.
Passage also was given an anti
preparedness resolution, which point
ed out the alleged dangers of a great
~ increased army and navy and de-
clared against any military training in
the High schools and against compul-
sorry military training in the colleges.
Hon. c. S. Stetson
Following are portions of the ad-
dress of the retiring State master
Hon. g. S. Stetson:
Officers and Members of the Maine
state Grange:
Session. In this my last annual adj
dress TO this body, shall not attempt
to present any new propositions for
your confederation. or to indicate many
new lines Of work TO be followed. |
feel that to the new men whom you
are TO elect as leaders. should be left
the right to formulate policy and to
suggest plans for the future.
Electricity on the Farm
its possibilities. And most especially
is this true of water power develop
ment. Shall this development be in
the interest OF all the people or shall
it be monopolized by the big interests
Shall this God-given bounty he de-
veloped for the purpose of turning the
wheels of industry for all the people
in our State, or shall it be developed
for special interests only? Our pur-
pose. and aim should be to keep and
develop the water power of Maine for
all the people i'm Maine: and when so
developed our state viii progress as
riculturally and -industrially. A bill
was introduced IN the last Legislature
looking toward getting electricity on
the farm This is only the first step
in the right direction. This bill was
introduced by YOUR legislative commit
tee and has become law. give. here
with. a copy Of the bill. Patrons by
unity Of effort and concerted fidelity
to our interests this work Will be car
ried forward Until electricity on the
farm will be as common as is the tele-
phone on the farm. Is it not a duty
which you owe to yourselves, to your
State and 70 unborn generations who
are to follow you. to see that represen-
tatives elected to the Legislature are
mon who consider our water power
development from the right view
point, men who will not countenance
monopoly control; men who from a
broad gauge standpoint will try to
develop our water power for Maine
and all its people,
The people demand and nave right
to the fullest and most accurate pub
LEFTY of the records Of public service
corporations. But we should refuse to
be swamped by publicity that is ut
terlv vicious because ii is intended TO
he misleading. Prudence suggests that
we may save ourselves from becoming
dupes by subjecting these fulnlnations
to the severest scrutiny. In the past
we have been supplied with details and
documents necessary to convince us of
the fitness of certain financ:ers. cap
tains of industry and railway onlclals
for cells in penetentiaries. Now we
are paying with our subscription cheeks
for sweet scented estimates Of cohled-
crates in which it does appear that theE
possess all the virtues and most OF the
sraces Of the race. 1t should be borne
in mind that the members of this or
der have no disposition to condemn be
cause the mob and the yellow journal
cry, cruelty him.
investigation
The most of YOU will remember that
a resolve was presented 10 last Legs
lature asking for an investigation VI
the affairs Of the railroads In the state
After examining facts and figures tax
en- from the reports of the ofhciaiS Oh
the roads, I felt it to be my GUY az d
citizen (not as state Master) 10 go