Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-03


should be encouraged for the purpose
of furnishing light and power at req
sonable rates not only to industry
and for domestic use in cities and
towns but also along country
roads and upon the farms. But
is there any positive program of
legislative action which can be
relied upon to produce these re-
suits? Frankly, have none to pro-
pose. The financial obstacles in the
way of State ownership make such
course for the Present absolutely out
Of the question. whatever merit 1t
might otherwise have. But in the
meantime. while studying the whole
problem diligently, we can safely
follow the course that has been for
ten years our established policy; hold
on to the rights in water powers that
we now possess and refuse to author
ize transmission outside the State of
hydro-electric power generated in
Maine.
Acting under authority of the last
Legislature, the Public Utilities Com
mission has prepared and placed before
you an admirable and exhaustive re-
port upon the water power resources Of
Maine. This report furnishes the facts
which must serve as the raw materia,
for any constructive water power pro-
gram. / recommend tina. you provide
for further study looking toward the
development of such a program. Such
a study should consider the prospective
Use of Maine waterpowers as one of the
features Of the whole broad program
of business and industrial expansion
during the period Of reconstruction.
This study might well be entrusted to
a commission which would consider all
the special problems of REIMBURSEMENT
and perform service analogous to that
which was so splendidiy rendered by the
committee on public safety during the
war.
Equal Suffrage
Woman's fitness for an equal share
in the responsibility of Government has
been further demonstrated by the he
roic part she has played in the activi-
ties and sacrifices of the war, and the
strong impulse toward democratic ideas
all over the world has served to en-
phasize the injustice of denying her
the right of suffrage. Furthermore, the
governmental problems of the next few
years will have to do largely with ques-
tions of improved education. welfare Of
workers, care of dependents and protec-
tion of children. With problems of this
type. women are especially well quail
fled to deal. l urge you therefore, to
take whatever action seems to you best
col lot 10
equal suffrage in the State and nation.
Prohibition
Standing in this place two years ago
l promised to use faithfully every re-
source at my command for the enforce
ment OF the laws against the liquor
traffic and kindred evils. That promise
have scrupulously kept. 1t now seems
likely that early in the winter, the
policy in which Maine was the pioneer
will become national through the ratiti-
ca ton of the prohibition amendment by
the requisite number of states. l know
do not need to urge ratification upon
you, but do remind you that the SOON
er it is done the greater will be Names
influence upon the action of those states
where the liquor interests are organic
ing to oppose ratification.
! also urge prompt legislation making
the definition of Intoxicating liquor"
uniform with that of the United States
Government and suggest that if the
necessary information becomes avail
able before You adjourn you enact suit
able State laws to supplement the Fed
erai code which will put National pro-
hibition into effect.
Conclusion
Gentlemen, We are sent here by the
people of Maine to express their
will in terms of formal legislative acts.
We accept this grave responsibility in
the midst of one of the great crucial
periods in all human history. The issue
is the full realization throughout the
world of those ideals of freedom and
self-governing democracy of which our
flag is the truest symbol among man.
kind.
The crisis has by no means passed
with the overthrow of military despo-
tism. The menace of mob rule and
Rolshevism still threatens. Races LONG
oppressed under military tyranny must
be guided and protected while they de-
velop the capacity for seif-government.
Our country must accept a place of
leadership in this world-task and our
own national life must not fall short OF
that democracy which the newly awak.
ened world expects us to exempify.
Democracy is unseltishness organized
for the common good. Its basic enemy
is selfishneSs and despotic government
is not the only form assumed by this
age-old adversary. Wherever in our
own land privilege or power seeks to
Cypress the poor, wherever greed
threatens the welfare cf the weak,
there sclishness, the arch enemy of
democracy is entrenching itself across
the path by which America must lead
the way to the full light of day. We
must mobilize against such enemies the
same national spirit of devotion and
self-Sacrifice which sent clear-eyed boys
10 melt their fresh youth in the white
flame of chivalry on Flanders fields.
Trusting in the wisdom of Almighty
God let us answer the mighty challenge
of the hour by helping to bind UP the
wounds and heal the scars Of sacrifice
by seeking with new vision and sympa-
thy the welfare and relief of the unfor-
tunatc. in short, by striving to realize
Il bit more closely in the affairs of gov
eminent the ideals of Him who came to
bring among the nations the Peace Of
Justice and Good VIII.
The Governor and suite then re-
tired.
The purposes for which the conven-