Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-08
The Governor Addresses
Abnaki Club Smoker

He Paid a Graceful Tribute the Au-
gusta He Recognized Home and to
His Associates in the Government
Better Schools, Better Roads and
Better Understanding on the Pro-
gram
Governor Baxter, who is an honor
airy member of the Abnaki club,
made the first occasion he has had
for visiting the CLUB rooms a most
pleasing one by accepting an invita-
ton to speak at the Smoker
Wednesday evening. III. n. Whitman
presided at the meeting, which had
a large attendance and the Cover
nor's remarks were heartily ap-
plauded.
The Governor spoke In his intro
ductory remarks of the enjoyment he
was getting from better acquaint-
ance with Augusta. He said he con-
sidered it his home and really felt
at home here. He knew of no more
beautiful place and none where a
finer spirit of cooperation existed. In
political circles the title Of Imperial
kennebec" was sometimes used in a
joking way but the more he thought
about it the more he thought the
county entitled to the distinction,
that Imperial kennebec is an appro-
pirate title. The Capitol is here and
is going to stay here. He recalled
the last attempt to take it away. He
said he was somewha, of a philoso-
pher in thinking things usually come
out about right. He said he had often
remarked since 1907 that he was
really glad the Capitol had not been
taken from Augusta.
He then told of the pleasure and
inspiration he had derived from get
ting views of the beautiful building
from the various vantage points in
the city and had been thrilled by
contemplating what it represented
and the splendid thing it Is for one to
take part in a government like that
of Maine. He wished all might go
down into the park and look up at
their State Capitol and think what it
means. He said he considered it the
finest single piece OF public work
ever done in this country and paid
high tribute to the committee that
had charge Of it and especially to the
chairman, Hon. G. S. Hichborn. The
building is a monument to their
faithful and efficient service. He
had supposed there must be some
where on the walls of the building
an inspiration, an historical tablet
but had found there was none and
he intended to see to it that a suit
able one shall be had.
He said he thought he must have
got his idea of living within appro-
priations from what Mr.. Hichborn
and the committee had accomplished
under the appropriation for the State
Capitol.
He also had been deeply i'm
pressed, the better he had become
acquainted with the various depart
Inents of work at the State Capitol,
with the earnestness and quality of
work in them and wished all the
people of the State might become
better acquainted. He felt that il
they could know all what is being
done. what the State government is
doing and trying to do. we would
have the great body of citizens eager
to support and help it.
Always proud of the traditions of
Maine he had been surprised and
had resented what Ambassador Har-
vey had said about Maine at an
after dinner speech in London, about
Maine having had a government of
authorized caprice. If ever there was
a State that had lived up to its best
traditions he felt sure Maine had and
he referred to Portland three times
destroyed by its enemies and rebuilt
better than before.
He said he believed II to be a Gov
ernor's duty to travel over the State
and get acquainted with conditions.
He spoke at some length of the visits
he had paid the schools. from Aroos-
took to York, and OF the conditions
he had found and of what it would
be his effort to improve. He didn't
recognize any county lines and hoped
to aid in smoothing out difficulties
and bringing all to pull together. He
had found that most of our troubles
come from misunderstanding. We
must get over that IL we are to full
fill our destiny.
He was glad to report that Maine
had gotten over the hardest place
in its road construction and believed
we would now have money to proper
~ maintain them. AS Governor he
cl,
of its proper maintenance.
With regard to the prohibitory
law he was outspoken for strict en-