Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-06-22
AFTERNOON~SESSION

ence which was held at the Senate 4
Chamber at the State House. Be-
sides the committee members and the
county chairmen, there were in at
tendance many Republican women of
| Augusta and the session was one OF
especial interest and profit.
Mrs. Gannett, the presiding officer,
!; in itroducing Governor Baxter spoke
| of the pleasure that the ladies felt
| in having as one of the speakers Of
the day the governor, whom many of
| the ladies had never met, and she
stated that it was especially fitting
that at this first conference he should
come and meet the members and say
r. few words to them.
Governor Baxter
| Governor Baxter stated that he was
/ very glad to be present and say few
/ words of greeting at the session, and
he stated that it was most appropri-
ate that the women should hold their
first meeting of the year at the seat
of government
you are all members of political
organization" he said. Politics is
the science of government. Those of
us who are called politicians are try
ing to do something for the govern
ment. That our primary purpose"
He stated that it was fortunate
that the committee meeting was be-.
ing held on an "off year" when there
was no political campaign for at this
time things can be discussed in a
cooler manner and with more judge
ment than in a campaign. He spoke
of the fact that through the State
meetings are being held by the State
Chamber of Commerce, it being pro-
posed to hold one in every county.
If you We're around the Capitol you
would ocme to realize that most of
the State heads are trying to what
we expect of them" and he stated
that under the State House dome
were an earnest group who wanted
to do the right thing
In speaking of the work of the last
Legislature, he remarked that prob
ably the chief thing was a consider.
able reduction in taxation. He stat.
ed that in the last few years taxes
have increased as everything else, and
that all felt that the time had come
when taxes should come down. He
i ortAA liIdt SlHCc lOO the LAX has III
creased from 2 mills on a dollar to
II IL mills. He believes that the
State institutions should be maintain
ed properly, and said that he would
not favor cutting down in the caring
! for the sick. but there were some
things that he did advocate cutting
down. The Legislature succeeded in
cutting down the tax 80 per cent,
and if the soldiers bonus is taken
out, it is 40 per cent. reduction. He
pointed out that the soldiers bonus
could not be properly charged TO the
ordinary expenses of the State gov
eminent.
| That the State spends for educa-
ton s2,5000O0 year out of a total
of sS,000,0o0 appropriated by the
State, the governor said. He spoke
of meeting which he attended at
Calais High school last week and of
the students interest in State and
national affairs, and said that if this
group was typical of all the young
people in the State, we in Maine have
nothing to fear for the future.
II think one of the most difficult
! problems is keeping the young people
/ in Maine he said. Il don't know
/ how we are going to do it, but if we
put our hearts on it we will do it,
and he pointed out the need of find
ing suitable employment by indus
tries in the State to provide voca-
tons.
! Governor Baxter then turned to the
subject of the development of water
power resources, and said that we
have settled one feature for good and
all unless the Federal government in
iterferes We have determined that
the water powers of Maine shall be
kept in the State for the benefit of
the people in the State He then
went ON to state his own personal
water power plan.
! Referring to the abandoned farms
of Maine, Governor Baxter stated
that almost 100 farms month have
been abandoned in Maine in the last
10 years and that there were Hts !
fewer farms in 1920 than in 1910. He |
stated that if that sort of a thing
continues. it will mean a serious |
Gripping of agricultural resources. |
and he spoke of the reduction of |
farmers taxes and the carrying of |
electricity to the farms as means of |
chipping out this situation
| He then spoke of the enforcement |
of the prohibitory law and of the |
conference of sheriffs which he called !
soon after he became governor He /
stated that the sheriffs are doing a |
mans job in their enforcement work. |
Other problems the governor re-
| ferred to were the timberlands and |
roads and improvement of business |
conditions.
In closing his address he gave a |
cordial invitation for the ladies' to |
inspect the executive mansion at the |
close of the meeting and to have tea |
there.
Mrs. James D. Tiiiinshast |
Mrs. James D. Tillinghast of Bos-
ton. executive chairman of the Re- |
publican women of Massachusetts. |
was introduced by Mrs. Gannett and !
in a very interesting and helpful dis
course emphasized the need of women
organizing and continuing their in
terest in politics. Mrs. Tillinghast is
an enthusiastic worker and a force
ful speaker and her remarks were an
inspiration.
She explained the Republican or