Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-27
Tuesday, March ~, 1923.
THE LEGISLATURE AND ITS JOB


poration water storage and power
privileges worth millions OF dollars"
'r' Those who read that and have no
Acquaintance with the personnel Of
the S1st Legislature are likely to re-
ceive an unfavorable impression OF
that branch Of the State Government.
Looking over the record, consider
Ing who these representatives are,
how they were chosen and letting
sober second thought have a chance,
the would not be chance for any
such impression to find . foot hold.
They are representative Of Maine
people. They have had, for the most
part at least. very practical expert
ence. have learned that development,
Increased valuations. more sources Of
revenue for the State and the COM
munity depend on the inducements
which capital has for new undertake
ings and improvement of those al
ready existing.
$751;: OF course 1t Is not to be assumed
the Governor would deny this, would
say that the Legislature has been
corrupted. It may be assumed, how.
ever, that he would criticize it for
lack of vision.
This attitude was revealed in a
recent veto message wherein he spoke
, OF the Legislators in passing laws
give their approval as rule in mass
m kev,
but q fraction of a share of the re-
sponsibility for its enactment" He
tells them the Governors position is
very different from theirs. that when
he signs a measure 1T is his law and
he assumes a personal responsibility
= for it,
This may be found bit confusing
IN the minds Of those who supposed
the Legislature under the Constitu-
ton was the lawmaking branch, that
the Governor is the executor of the
laws. who during the making of the
laws Is acting in supervisory
capacity with authority to withhold
approval. that having done this his
responsibility has been met and
shifted to the Legislature. The nat
ural supposition is, that the veto
power was designed for occasional
rather than for general use, other
wise expediercy, II nothing else,
would seem to suggest that the Leg
islature be abolished and the law
making placed exclusively in the
hands of the Governor. If the Legis-
lature should be found unusually
wicked the number of vetoes might
have to be unusually large. but even
10 tho situation would be delicate
one.
The S1st Legislature is not I'M
Usually wicked or stupid. The Gov
crnor declares that he is not afraid
to take full responsibility and no one
will dispute him, but it is permissi-
bic under the privileges our FORE
fathers obtained for us to criticize
without being subjected to penalties
for lese majesty. Nor will it be
nc cessary to deny that the Governor
has opportunity for superior vision
before EXPRESSING the opinion that it
may not be in all respects a perfect
Vision.
With regard to this matter of re-
sponsibility 1t would seem the Gov
ernor IL not, nor has been reluctant
at any time or in any capacity in the
. past seven years since he has been
crusading for government ownership
and management of our water powers
to do what he might to advance his
theory. Whether he has contributed
anything to actual development of
possibilities may be questioned.
Since he has become Governor 1t
surely has been in his power to FORE
see and have formulated a definite
plan for developing Names water
storage possibilities. He has told us:
"A Governor should not hesitate to
take the lead" He says the Legisla-
ture has given away rights worth
millions of dollar in that proposed
grant for water storage. He would
have US believe that he knows about
these values. But did he know, I'M
til he was told by the enterprises
wishing to store water there that this
water storage basin was feasible, or
. that 1t was worth anything for such
purposes. Private enterprise rather
, than official enterprise and initiative
appears entitled to the credit.
We do not see how private capital
could have gone about its endeavor
, ia secure water storage for the needs
OF the Kennebec Valley more frankly
and aboveboard. It laid it's plan be-
" fore the Legislature and the people
OF the State early in the session and
no one discovered trickery therein,
but the Governor seems to think he
has discovered millions in it. We hope
his vision Is correct in this. The
getting of them out should help VI
all.
y, Here seems to be situation which
! time alone may iron out" and people
arrive at 4 correct conclusion. The
4 Slst Legislature has nothing to be
ashamed of in regard to this water
storage matter. and folks will find 1t
out after . time. Meanwhile it has
Its duties to perform, its work to
nnish. This should not be done in q
. pir1e OF hostility to what may be
termed executive encroachments. The
!" !oo OF this or any other Legislature
- 10 serve the State Of Maine, the
I people who elected it. All so UNDER
/, stand 1t but this Is a time for keep