Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-09-06

Ouln petltlOnS, is merely a dlSingenUOuS
effort on the part of our opponents to
confuse the issue.
Curtis Position
II note that Gov. Curtis is posing as a
champion of this measure. No one knew
before that he used or in fact had occa-
sion to use any special influence in its
favor during the legislative session. If,
however, he had been real champion of
the measure he had a chance to do a real
service in it's behalf by holding a spe-
cial election and allowing the people OF
Maine to vote upon it last fall soon after
the referendum petition was filed.
In a further attempt to obscure the
real issues, Gov. Curtis, if he is cor
rectly reported in thu newspapers, has
seen fit to make certain yelled insin-
uations against the Republican party
and certain Of it's members. 1t is pos
sible, of course, that he has not been
correctly reported. I have done news
paper work myself and realize the diff
ficulty under which newspaper men
Rave to work. AS several days have
elapsed without denial, however, it is
perhaps fair to assume that the news
PAPER report of his Auburn speech was
substantially correct. In that case, he
has said either too little, or too much.
Except for the accident Of his official
PC sition such suggestions coming from
him would not be worthy of serious
consideration, especially in view of the
fact that his statements in regard to
the finances Of the Haines admins
tration have been shown to be en-
tirely inaccurate and misleading. Let
him make his charges definite and
specific. or state that he was mistaken
or wrongly quoted.
Curtis Record
Out of the various issues in the
campaign, our opponents have chosen
the business administration Of Gov.
Curtis as the one upon which they
choose to make their fight before the
people. And it is proper to note care
fully that his administrative record
should be kept carefully distinct from
the record Of the last Legislature. The
Legislature was composed of Re-
publican Senate and a Democratic
House and made, on the whole, a rea-
sonably good record in the enactment
of certain progressive measures. like
the 54-hour law, the Workmen's
Compensation Act, the establishment
of the Women's reformatory and the
measure providing pensions for the
reedy blind. All these measures had
the hearty approval of the Republican
Senate and some Of them, notably the
Workmen's Compensation Act, were
Republican in origin. They were ex-
pressjons Of the progressive tendency
Of the times and so far as 1 know
we're neither noticeably FASTENED or
retarded by the influence of Gov. Cur
tbs. The administrative record made
since the adjournment of the Legis-
lature is entirely his own.
I'VE criticize these records along two
general lines. First, because both in the
use of the appointing power, and in the
management of the States business af-
fairs, he has apparently been controlled
primarily by political motive. Not what
would really be good business for the
State, but what might appear to be good
business in a political campaign, has
seemed to be his aim.
Disregard of the Law
again, IN MS exploitation OIL the DuSl-
ness affairs Of the State for political pur-
poses, as well as in his other failure to
exert any influence whatever for the
proper enforcement of the prohibitory law
he has shown a general tendency to dis
regard the law. This is our second crit
icism. Specific instances to which I shall
refer tonight, and which 7 have mention
ed in previous speeches, are important es-
pecially as examples of one or both OF
these general tendencies.
Representing the Republican party in
this State campaign. I promise that If
intrusted with power, beginning next JAN
uary, we will give Maine real business
administration. Not an administration
for political effects. and that we will re-
alize into law the promises Of our plat
form and that we will use ever" resource
at our command for the honest, State
wide enforcement of the law, with special
emphasis upon the prohihitory law, be-
cause that especially needs enforcement
In some sections Of our State"