Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-10

Androscoggin, Eaton of Oxford and
Representatives Patterson of Indus-
try, Rounds of Portland, Cole of Eli
OF, Hinckley of South Portland and
Eastman of Fryeburg.
Subsequently Mr.. Gillin for the COM
mittee reported that the committee
had performed the duties with which
it was charged, and that the Cover
nor would attend Immediately with
his Council.
The report was accepted.
The Governor and suite then en-
tered the hall of the House Of Rep
resentatives. and the Governor COM
municated to the joint convention by
address as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Senators and Repre-
sentatives of the S0th Legislature
of the State of Maine:
How suddenly are Times changes
wrought. 1t seems but yesterday
that there stood before us in this
Hall of Representatives a man in the
prime of life, filled with courage and
ambition. For him the victory was
won. His laudable ambition salts
fed, he looked into the future his
heart filled with desire to serve his
native State. Schooled in affairs Of
government he had the will and
character to earn for himself a place
among the best of Names long list
of chief executives.
On that memorable day it became
my pleasant duty to administer to
Governor Parkhurst the oath Of Of
flee. AS I looked into his frank and
friendly eyes l knew he would be
true to that oath when he spoke these
words: Il will faithfully and i'm
partially perform the duties incum-
bent upon me as Governor" Those
of us who sat upon this platform al
ways will remember the smile of love
and approval which his brave wife
gave him as, anxious for him to do
his best, she sat with her little
daughter in these seats before us,
and kept her encouraging ewes fixed
upon him. Those of you who looked
into his face will long remember the
reassuring smile returned by him to
her. What faithful wife ever had
more reason to look into future
bright with hope and promise? The
heart of Maine in these Gays Of lone
illness and grief goes out in sympathy
to her and to her children.
1t is fitting that here 1 should pay
tribute to those who so untiringly
and efficiently planned and executed
the arrangements for the funeral
ceremonies through which we have
just passed. To these men is owed q
debt of gratitude, and l unhesitating-
ly assume the responsibility of ex-
pressing it. From the moment that
the tragic news was first announced
to a bereaved State until the last sad
moment of parting at the tomb, the
Committee of the Governors Coun-
Gil and this Legislature attended
with infinite care to each detail. The
tribute of love and respect to Names
dead Governor was all that human
hearts could wish and human hands
could fashion The memory of those
sad days long will remain with us,
and the grief through which we all
have passed will throughout the ses-
sion tend to soften the harsh clash of
argument and debate.
Providence does not make known
to US it's laws, but all are forced to
bow to its DEGREES. Time drives us
on; our Governor has gone. The
daily tasks that press on those he
left behind must still be done. The
burdens others bore, now bear down
on, those. who sought them not. l
stand before you as he stood. His
work, is done, mine but begun. The
TO .
Chief Executive. made such by
events no man foresaw, here pledge
to its service whatever of good and
whatever of ability there is within
me. If health and strength are mine,
with your help and in your conf
dence We, unselfishly and not seeking
favor or applause, will perform the
tasks before us.
I leave the Legislative branch of
our State of Maine and enter upon
the Executive with feelings of re-
gret. My work as presiding officer
Of the Senate was most congenial, an
atmosphere of friendliness and CO.
operation pervaded that Chamber,
and 1, looking forward with pleasant
anticipation to the next few weeks of
work, saw at their close an end to
legislative responsibilities. That is
the past and now the future beckons.
Finances
r. The financial condition of q gov
crnment is it's cornerstone, while
character is it's foundation. During
the stress of war when the operation
of the usual system of checks and
balances might cause fatal delays, all
governments to some extent let down
the bars and, regardless of cost, bent
all their energies to war. The State
of Maine, under the broad and wise
guidance of our then Governor, gave
freely of it's men, it's women, and it's
wealth. Governor Millikens record
in those trying years assures him OF
an enduring position in the hearts
and in the history of our State.
1t is our duty now to enter upon a
period of reasonable retrenchment
and true economy. The rate OF
State taxation has climbed steadily
from q mills in 1906 when the States
expenditures were $2,516,035.60 to II
mills in 1920 when they were $13,-
344,9S6.25. This may properly be &C
counted for in many cases by
wholesome and necessary increase in
the many activities of the State.
Beyond a certain point of taxation
we cannot safely go. The time has
come when the State, like the in
dividual, should strike a trial bal
ance and determine whether or not it