Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-10

was laughing at the Governors
bungling attempt at political sensa-
ton. We have publicly stated. and re-
peated, that the last Legislature made
appropriations for specific purposes
| with instructions to the executive de-
partment, and instead Of carrying out
the wishes of the people Of Maine as
set forth by their representatives i'll
the Legislature, the administration
has boarded the funds provided for
public improvements apparently for
the sole purpose Of making good
| financial showing.
| We have called public attention to
these things. other newspapers have
done the same. Mr.. Ham, in address,
ing Republican meetings, has shown
up these things to Republicans as
good and sufficient reason why tho
taxpayers should place their business
in the hands of competent men.
| None of these plain, itemfzed
charges have been denied by the Gov
ernor or anybody else. Instead. one
after another, they indulge in volleys
of pickering and abuse. The Cover
nor, instead Of replying to Mr.. Ham.
pitched upon him as the object Of his
spleen. Instead of answering the
Journals plain statements of facts, the
Governor issued a statement" u
abuse of us.
Why should the Governor select Mr..
Ham rather than any other citizen If
he cannot deny any of the facts which
are common property? An Augusta
gentleman of Mr.. Curtis own party
expressed the popular conception OF
the incident when he said:
"The Governor wanted to get Frank
up there so he could give him
tongue lashing, we'll knowing that
Frank is too much Of gentleman to
quarrel or wrangle with him."
We are sorry that the Sentinel
should consider itself holden to an at
tempt to back up the Governor or the
pretense, when it hasn't leg to stand
on. The Sentiners readers and our
readers desire the facts. If the Gov
ernor and the Democratic press CAN
deny the charge Of incompetence and
| wilful neglect, let them produce their
denial and drop their cheap play on
words.
That the Governor, the Portland
Argus, the WaterviIle Sentinel and
others may understand the charges
against the Curtis administration
which have so enraged the Governor
let us repeat some Of them-here they
are:
When the Curtis administration as
sumed the custody Of the State Treas
ury it received from the Haines ad-
ministration a cash balance amounting
to 77S,04569. OF this amount 100000
was in savings banks drawing interest
at per cent.
The Curtis administration receives
S439, 900 more in State taxes than was
| received by. the Haines administra ton.
If any reader cares to know where
this extra half million came from it is
easily explained: The tax rate for the
two years is one-half mill more, Con
s47s,192,o44 and the valuation has
been raised $4,000, 900, to s49s.4s7,s4s.
Chapter 400. Resolves Of 1915,
reads: Resolved, that the Governor Of
| the State and four others to be ap-
pointed by him, two Of whom shall be
members of each Of the leading
political parties, arc hereby consti-
tuted and commissioned and are di-
rected to take immediate steps to OBJ
tain plans and specifications for alter
alton and enlargement Of the present
prison at Thomaston'
The sum of $4,000 was appropriate
ed for this purpose.
Whether or not the Legislature
wanted the sum appropriated, ex-
pended or carried throughout the
Democratic administration as a part
of its splendid financial showing" IL
best judged by the wording. Please
note: are hereby directed to
take immediate steps, ..
Have the people noticed any Of
those immediate steps" in the last