Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-15

iature. IdnnOt the people be trusted
with the right to decide?
If the referendum in this matter
can be denied at the pleasure of the
Governor. then God pity the people Of
Maine, If there is ever a governor who
will deny them the right to petition
and TO vote. simply because someone
signed the petition for some other fell
low who was unfortunate enough to
belong to the laboring class, and
whose hands were dirty
L If the referendum can be denied
because a town clerk failed to do his
duty. when it is plainly apparent that
all the names on such petitions are
, those of legal voters. and the clerts
, failed to, include the verifying petition
er in his certificate, then hereafter the
clerks of our cities and towns if they
see fit may easily defeat the true in
/ tent and purpose of the signers and
defeat any referendum ever attempted
IF the referendum is denied because
crtain voters honestly, and there is
| no proof OF anything else than honesty
signed two petitions on different dates
will any governor deny the right Il
petition To the ninety and nine simply
bcCduSS one man efreu.
Shall the ninety and nine be denied
their rights through an error of this
! kind?' Shall the governor decide that
he will strictly rule out and disallow
| honest names and not make the test
honest intention OF the petitioners
! Is the governor bound TO follow hard
end fast rules in Il matter of this kind
! Why even on election days When the
people choose their governors. ballots
are counted when the intention of the
voter is apparent Is it possible that
On the question Of granting the right
f; to vote upon petition. stricter rule
will be applied?
| 1T was never the intention of the
| people that technical rules should be
| brought to bear TO defeat the referen-
I dun The will of the legislature UNI
Ger our Constitution as voted upon
and ratified by a great ma jority of on,
voters only a few short years ago is
70 longer to he supreme. The people
! are to be no longer made the pawn,
! and playthings OF partisan legisla'
| ture. No longer are the lobbyists t.
| Turk in the corridors of. our State
! House and defeat the will of the peo-
'
I ulwarl and the shelter for the mi
: nority. whose rights can no longer be
| tlamp!ed down with immunity ~
greedy politicians who place party
whims and policies above the rights o,
an innocent minority.
! Shall the governor by his decision
rule that the people may not Longer
! paSs upon the doings and shortcom
! ings of men who do the Kidding of the
! bosses. Is it possible that the rcferen-
! dunn for which the people prayed fol
/ years. can be denied and stripped bare
, of all worth through hearings, investi'
/ eations and the technicalities of tle
I law and become hollow mockery
Referendum in name only. A thinG
/ to be laughed at, toyed with, and
flung about at the Whim and mandate
of the politician who from the be
! ginning has seen his finish if liberia
| rules are applied in the workings 81
! the referendum.
/ 'Eefore this hearing began and a.
! times during it's progress, the attorney
! for the State. has referred to the re-
monstrantS to the granting of a refer
! cndum. | have searched in vain for q
! single person who has voluntarily en-
! tered this "hamber as a witness
against these petitions. All who have
appeared have been summoned and