The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-09-07

that in 1881 Republican council de-
elined to confirm the appointments of
both Hon. William l.. Putnam and
Hon. Nathan Cleaves to the supreme
court purely and solely for the rea-
son that they were Democrats; that
by the appointment of Judge Madigan
the bench became for the first time in
the history of Maine equally divid-
ed between the two parties DO you
not think, all things considered, that
such division is a fair and reason
able one?
You nave criticised Governor Cur
ury an unnecessary large cast bal
ance. Are you aware of the fact that
of the balance now in the treasury.
100000 belongs to the state highway
fund and can only be expended I'M
der contracts now pending with the
state highway commission? Are you
aware of the fact that of the remain
ing balance over 100000 belongs to
the Land Reserve fund, which, by
law, must be kept intact in cash in
the treasury at all times and that
there therefore remains for general
state purposes a working cash bal
anee of only about 100000, all of
which is needed to carry on the work
of the state during the months that
elapse between August 1st and the
time when the treasury receives any
large additions of money
Ii you are elected governor. do you
not intend to keep on hand the high
way funds which are especially APP
propriated for their USE DO YOU
not intend to keep on hand the Land
Reserve fund in compliance with the
lows of Maine? And do you not think
it also wise to keep on hand a rea-
sonable amount of cash for the pur-
pose of defraying current expenses as
they arise? Or would YOU prefer to
return to the policy of your party as
illustrated under the administration
of Hon. Bert NJ. Fernald when the
state treasury contained no cash and
illegal debts were accumulated to the
amount of better than a million dol
lars
You have found fault with Govern
or Curtis because he has not accom-
plished the work of renoyating and
fire-prOofing one of the buildings at
the Augusta State hospital. Are you
aware that this appropriation was
passed to be expended under the di-
rectlon of the governor and his coun-
Icil and that already contracts have
been made for the expenditure of so
much of this money as the governor
and council deem wise?
You have criticised the governor
because he has not expended $50, 600
appropriated for improvements al
the state prison. Are you aware that
that money is now being expended
under the direction of a non-p partisan
commission appointed by the govern
or?
You have found fault with the gov
ernOr because he has not expended
$4,000 appropriated for revising the
statutes. Are you aware that hardly
week has elapsed since Hon. John
\. Morrill,, the commissioner on the
revision of the statutes, reported 10
the governor that this work has been
completed by the printer and that no
bill has yet been presented or can
properly be presented 10 the state for
such work?
You have criticised the governor be
cause he has not yet expended the
money appropriated by the legisla-
ture for rcformatOrY for women
Are you aware that the site for this
reformatory has been purchased, the
contracts for the buildings let, and
the work begun under the supervision
Iof non-partisan board appointed by
the governor
In none of your speeches have you
credited the present administration
with any important constructive work
On this point the people are not as
we'll informed as you. Do you not
think in fairness to your political OPP
ponents that when you criticise Gov
ernor Curtis for certain matters
which appear to you to be sins OF
omission, you should tell your au-
diences that under Gov Curtis the
state has taken over two sanatoria
for the treatment of tuberCulo-
sis patients, at Hebron and at Fair
field, whore patients are treated eth
err at a very low expense or free of
charge: that this administration has
inaugurated a system of pensions for
the needy blind; that ii has put into
force the will of the legislature with
regard to the establishment Of Q re-
formatory for women; that it follow
ed the passage of the Workmen's
Compensation act by the last legis-
lature by the establishment of an In
dustrial Accident commission; and
that the governor has inauguratcd a
systematic and business like method
of handling the financial affairs of the
state? You know that these things
are true If they are true, do you not
think they constitute a record of ac-
complishment of which any admins
tration may reasonably be proud?
If you are elected governor, what
can you do in any way of improving
present conditionso What will you
try to do in connection with our