Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-05
The Governors Address.

ness and common sense. From open
ing to close it was a straightforward
document, remarkable for it's clarity
and appeal to the better instincts Of
all the people Of Maine. Everywhere
the comment was favorable, even en-
thusiastic. Men were stirred by the
Governors frarkness and sincerity. He
evaded no issue, he soft-pedaled in no
instance. he 'pussyfooted nowhere. He
proved an extensive knowledge of the
States affairs, he disapproved of many
customs and methods III vogue.
To 'folloW.the Governors message
through. mentioning his various rec
concentrations is waste of space, for
the document in full is better reading
issue. But we do wish to call especial
attention to some portions of the mes
sage. We hope members Of both
houses will take to heart the Govern
or's caution against too much legisla-
ton. We hope they will approach with
open minds the Governors recon-
mendation for a budget system We are
confident they will weigh his utter
ances concerning the State prison, bal
lot reform, welfare of children, ade-
quate usury law. labor, public health,
water powers and forests, highways
and agriculture.
But above all these things we place
Governor Milliken's manifestly sincere
and earnest plea for Legislative and
public support in enforcement of law.
No question is raised in the mind Of
any individual who heard him. that
that subject is nearest his heart. And
why should it not be nearest his heart ?
For answer, look at the group of Gov
ernor Milliken and his family, on an
other page. Does Governor Milliken,
with his splendid intellect and know
ledge of the world, wish to trust the
future of his growing sons and daugb-
tiers to the collision of liquor makers
ana sellers and more or less unscrupu-
lous officials? Should not a man of his
intelligence and high purpose be ex
pected to safeguard with every pro-
Nislon possible to secure, and with an
earnestness fed by every fibre of his
being, the welfare of the snlen1id
group that looks to him for protection
and example?
were our Governors purpose to lead
toward better things and away from
evil no broader than his home field we
could understand his unfiinching de-
nunciation of defiance of law and pub
lie tolerance of an acknowledged evil
But to every man and woman who
heard his address it is plain that a
Christian gentleman is to devote a big
mind and big heart to the moral and
physical welfare of the sons and
daughters of every home in Maine
Could we doubt it after hearing his
solemn indictment of evil conditions
his appeal for cooperation in over
coming 1t, and such a closing as this?
This question is one of the issues
upon which the people Of Maine req.
'stered their decision at the September
election. The issue was neither dodoed
nor evaded in the slightest deqree.
Inc dominant party is definitely COM
United to State and National pro.
hib'tion and to TIE honest enforce.
msnt Of the Prohibitory Law as we'll
as all other laws in this State. Fur
thermore by letters to thousands Of
citizens, and by public usterances in
practically every nook and corner of
our state, am pledged to use every
resource at my command as Governor
OF Maine for the honest statewide en-.
foreement Of these laws which have
been thus flagrantIy violated. That
pledge ! have just re- affirmed bv sol.
smn oath subscribed to in your pres.
ence."
Governor MilIiken recommended .
constitutional amendment giving the
Governor power to remove a sheriff
for cause after notice and hearing and
statute comforting the same power in
the case of county attorneys. And he
added, in the next sentence:
1T is also important that owners of
buildings where nuisances exist should
be held more certainly and readily ac-
countable. 1 recommend such changes
in the injunction law as will make il
easy to invoke. and certain and perma-
nent in its operation both against tho
person and the property involved,
For the complete suppression of the
liquor traffic it is necessary that a nor.
sistent offender should face the cor.
tainty Of a Jail sentence upon cony;c-
ton. The plain intention of the neo.
pie on this point is expressed in the
penalties of Fine and imprisonment I"
or Fine and in addition thereto i'm
prisonment" for certain violations OF
the Prohibitory Law
And again: There is merit also in
the proposal that vehicles used in the