Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-06-24
Governor Bakers Address

Twenty-three years ago 1 sat in
Memorial hall with my classmates of
9s, Just as these young men of the
world had opened Our beloved pres
ident HYDE presided, and besides. him
were ySas the DISTINGUISHED guests Of the
platform seemed high above us. an
atmosphere of dignity and Importance
surrounded the occasion. and the
journey from the. tables where we sat
to these seats of honor seemed long
and hard. Standing here today the
years intervening between '9S and '21
seem hardly more than days. There
is no feeling of pride or Importance
in my heart and this platform seems
beneath you.
Mr.. President: I did not seek this
honorable position; it came without
solicitation. There is Hand that
tions, and Providence, whose laws are
not to be questioned, decreed that L
should be Names Chief Executive.
Coming into this office under trying
and unusual circumstances, free from
any promises or obligations expressed
or implied. unhampered by the infiu-
ences that almost inevitably sur
round a victorious party candidate, L
respects from that of most of my
predecessors. In carrying nn the
work of this office. in making appoint
ments in. the shaping of policies l am
responsible only to the people of
excuses of party usage, of reward for
service, of prediction promises, can
avail, and accordingly my obligations
as well as opportunities are great.
lined to you. I have determined to put
to the test political experiment that
long have had in mind. While Gov
ernor of the State of Maine l propose
to be the Governor Of the whole State,
to act for the interest of all the peo-
pie of the State. to recognize,
terests. to do the States daily work
to the best of my ability, and to do all
this regardless of any personal politi-
cal success or failure it may bring.
The future must care for itself, and
this year and next the government of
the State of Maine will not be shaped
or nodded to advance the political
fortunes of its Chief Executive.
The test came early at Augusta.
Last winter it became my duty to say
No to three of the four great insti-
tutions of learning in our State. l did
not approve the $4,000 appropriation
for Bates College, notwithstanding the
fact that one of it's Trustees is a
member of the Executive Council and
warm personal friend. 1 vetoed q
which was to establish the Maine
Medical school as State school. and
later vetoed 100000 appropriation
for the University of Maine Certain
shown by this action. and had our
good friend Colby asked aid of the
State / might have completed the cir
cult of the four Maine colleges. Not
withstanding the sincere and earnest
Alumni to secure the passage of the
bill establishing state Medical
school. the governing boards of the
college maintained their traditional
the State for the appropriation. 1t is
encouraging to know that Eowdoin
College is determined to stand upon
it's own resources and remain unham-
pered by political or governmental
control.
Memorial hall, its walls lined with
tablets inscribed with the names of
Bowdoins soldiers of two generations
of all the buildings of our Campus.
AS I pass the spot on which is to be
erected the memorial to our soldiers
of the recent war, my mind dwells
upon wars waste of life and treasure.
I wonder if the selfish ambition of
those in power will again be allowed
F., to plunge the world into another con-
fiict. wonder what subtle. plausible
will again .n be offered , as rea
another call will ever come for Bow
doin men to rise to arms to defend
their country. If the nations of the
world, with our nation in the lead will
but heed the cry of those who pay and
suffer. that call will never come.
The United States holds the key to
the gates that lead to world peace.
Circumstances. guided by unseen
hands, have given the people of this
country the oportunity to unlock
these gates. A peace must come
! " here each nation is tolerant Of 9TH
| balance Of power. America should
/ lead. not follow Other nations
stepped in traditions of centuries OF
selfish rule. their leaders schooled IN
rise above their surroundings and
| look to us for leadership. Our coun-
| try should be iaroused from its self
satisfying complacency and should