Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-30


Tie Democracy Of tAis stats. ~ esr-
nestly demand the denomination OF
President Woodrow wilson by Tho NEXT
Democratic National convention to be
held in st. Louis, aud We pledge to htm
the loysl aud enthusiastic support o6
the Democracy Of Maine. and comb
IDENTIFY promise that he win receive the
electoral vote Of this State. and DO
|triumphantly reelected to the exalted
Office Of President Of our country By
the American people whom 10 hae %
faithfully served.
For the nrst time In the history OF
Our state q United States Senator IL
to be elected by the people and We
call upon all mon, regardless OF party
who desire. to see Maine properly rep
resented ct Washington. to join N NJ
alscting to the Senate tho man VINO
has 90 we'll represented u for the past
ak years in tho councils OF the nation.
Hon. Charles F! johnson. To re-eleof
him 10 to confer honor upon Maine.
Hts defeat would DO loss to the ma
ton.
In the House Of Representatives tho
Democracy Of Maine has had but one
representative for the past three
years. The State Democracy congrat-
ulates tho Democracy Of the Second
District on the splendid congressional
record Of the Hon. D. J. McGillicuddy.
His reelection should follow his re-
nomination and every effort should be
made to secure the election Of Demo-
cratic congressman from the remain
ing districts. in order that all Maine
may be served as he is serving bis
people.
Under Governor Curtis our party
has given the State an administration
Of public affairs remarkable for it's
honesty. economy and efficiency. The
work Of tho various departments Of
the State has been conducted to the
satisfaction Of the public and for tho
benefit Of the whole people. The man
agement Of the various State institu-
lions has been beyond criticism. Dur
ing the present administration Maine
has made great advancement in pro-
gressive and humanitarian legislation.
In order that the voters Of the rura!
towns might be enabled to regain their
just proportion Of influence in govern
mental affairs. the primary law has
been SO amended as to keep the polls
open in every town in Maine during
the evening of primary election DAY.
TO enable the largest number OF
voters to participate in elections. a
law compelling the polls to be kept
open until 8 P. M. in every town and
CITY IN Maine has been enacted.
The lust claims Of labor were reeog-
n,xed by the passage Of "a hour law.
which would have taken effect in July
1918. had not the referendum been in
yoked, This referendum was procured
by the activity Of leading Republicans
in the pay of certain interests which
we're opposed to the law. Our party
stands IN 1915 as 1t did In 1912 and
1914 for legislation limiting tho hours
Of labor for women and children IN mills
and factories to "a hours per week and
we urge upon the voters OF Maine to
see to it that the 54-hour law signed by
Governor Curtis receives Affirmative
support at the polls in September.
Legislation providin9 pensions for
the support of needy blind residents
OF Maine has been enacted and tho sys-
tenn Of extending charitable aid to those
unfortunate citizens has been inausu-
rated during the present year.
A reformatory for women has hsen
established at Skowhegan and state
sanatoriums for the care Of tubercu.
lar patients at reasonable cost have
been established at Hebron and at Fair
field. Both Of these great necessary re-
forms were promised the people in our
platform Of two years ago. The prom
Use has been redeemed.
A Workmen's Compensation Act
which failed Of passage in the last Re
publican legislature has bean enacted
and an Industrial Accident Commission
established. the work Of which is be-
ing carried on in such q way as to yield
the largest possible benefit to injured
working mon and women at tho least
possible expense to them. The present
law can be improved. ana Democratic
legislators ane pledged 20 improve II.
Constitutional convsntion
The State Constitution a. It stands
is. in some important particulars. q
bar to much needed progressive and re-
formatory legislation. We favor the
calling Of convention. the members of
WHICH shall be elected without party
designation. to undertake = revision Of
the constitution. the revision to be sub
mitted to popular vote at an election
held for that purpose alone: at which
election each amendment Of the revised
constitution may be voted upon separ-
ately or rejected by the people. Among
the matters which have been suggested
as fitting for tho consideration Of such
a convention are:
l. Amendments which will make def
mite the authority and responsibility Of
the executive.
2. Abolition Of the governors coun-
Gil.
3. appointment by tho governor Of
State officials now elected by tho leg
islature.
4. The Inauguration Of court Of
appeals, in order that much Of the de-
lay now incident to litigation may be
dispensed with.
5. A reduction in the number Of cleo
tive officers. so as to arrange a shorter
ballot.
6. Abolishins the September election
and electing State officials in November.
Z. Providing more convenient polling
places for Voters in our rural towns.
8. Amending the portion Of the con.