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


missioner of agriculture by the Govsrro,
for term of at least four years. under
a law which shall prescribe the oualisca
ton of such commissioner, and the An
plication of the merit system In select.
ing the subordinate officers of the depar..
ment. Agriculture today Is gres,
science and its development is in Its in.
fancy. Maine should be and is destined
to be the great agricultural State of the
East. Much can be accomplished in aid
of the development of this great indus
try by adopting legislation which Will
prevent the State agricultural department
from becoming political football.
Taxation
AS our State government enlarges its
sphere of service and enters more and
more into the field of constructive work
for the uplifting of our industrial and
social life, it becomes necessary to in
clude in the State tax levy many hun.
dreds of thousands of dollars for objects
which heretofore have not been consider.
ed. Such condition calls for a read
Justment of our tax burdens and We
strongly recommend the passage of laws
permitting a proper classification Of prop
erty for purposes of taxation. in order
that thrift and industry may not be dis
couraged and in order that justice and
equity may be more nearly approached
in providing the public revenue.
Soldiers Pensions
We approve the policy of our State and
MARION ha
sion laws ever adopted in the history Of
our country. We congratulate Senator
johnson and Congressman McGillicuddy
on their successful efforts In behalf Of
veterans and their dependent relatives
and also endorse the work Of our State
pension agent in the same field Of en-.
deavor.
Honest Elections
Honest government is only possible as
the result of honest elections. Purchased
nominations and purchased elections can
not help but result In corrupt govern.
ment. At the present time there Is con.
certed effort on the part of certain men
to buy Republican nominations for i'm.
portant elective offices with the under
standing that when these nominations ar.
paid for and delivered, the parties 10
whom they are delivered will buy their
election. An immense corruption fund ha:
already been expended in municipal elec.
tions and in canvasses preparatory TO the
Republican primaries. The methods at
present pursued by certain self-selectei
leaders of Republicanism are new 10 our
State. and. should they be permitted to
succeed, strike blow at the very foun.
dalton of free government. Men whose
only qualification for public life Is the
possession of inherited wealth or the
ability to interest wealthy friends In their
political fortunes are bidding for Re-
publican nominations to Offices TO which
heretofore brains and character, ability
and integrity have been considered neces-
sary qualifications. No exhibition Of
SNUG hypocrisy can conceal the real
facts from the people The Republican
organization depends for victory upon
wholesale corruptions. intimidation ana
the spreading of vicious falsehoods broad
cast among the people by the paid tools
OF the men who seek to debauCh tne
State. Every friend OF honest govern
ment. every decent citizen. should see 10
it that the effort does not succeed, Hon
est elections are as necessary TO good
government as the air we breathe IS
necessary to life. We pledge our candl'
dates, our political committees. and the
individual members of our party to d
strict observance of the laws regulating
the conduct of elections and call upon
every voter In Maine who has the good o.
his State at heart to stand with US In re-
buking the dishonest use Of money N
nominating or electing candidates TO Of
flee. With an honest election we nave
no fear Of the result and we pledge 70
our party and to its candidates wneH
selected in our primaries our hearty
earnest and united support.