Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-25
cred pledge Of a great political party
upon this issue.
educational Plank In Republiean
Platform in Maine.

Ptattorm IN MAINE.
"The Republicans of Maine take O
just pride in the development Of its
educational system from its begin,
ming in the primary grades to its
elimination in the State university
Public funds cannot be better ex-
pended than in the extension and
improvement of the facilities for the
free education of all of our youth.
while We recognize and commend
the public service rendered by the
numerous private institutions of
learning within the State. we believes
public funds devoted to education
should be expended in support of the
public schools to the exclusion of
private institutions of learning ex-
cept as are the sole inStrumentalities
OF furnishing, high school education
within the localities they serve and
which are wholly under the super
vision of the Commissioner of Edu-
cation; and as to those we recon-
mend such legislation as may be
necessary TO restrict the aid which
they receive to such as is fair and
equitable and measured by their
actual requirements
This provision leaves no room for
doubt in the mind of any honest
citizen that there is no thought Of
with the receipt of public funds by
the various private academies of our
state which are supplying the place
OF high school in their several To-
cahtles. Language could not be
more clearly designed to settle this
point. Any attempt to arouse alarm
among those interested in these
academies would seem transparency
insincere.
Economy
Citizens of Maine have a right to
expect the same scrupulous care in
the expenditure OF public funds that
they are obliged to exercise in their
own private affairs-their house.
Keeping or their business-the same
care that business corporation ex-.
acts OF its employees. This is a high
standard but by II the Republican
party is ready to be Judged. Every ,
expenditure is matter of record for
any interested citizen TO read.
"A critic may he fairly asked 10
deal not in glittering generalities on
the necessity of economy, with which
we will all agree, but rather TO cite
the specific appropriations which
would be curtailed or eliminated II
another party We're entrusted with
power. a citizen may then consider
the object of the expenditure and
determine for himself whether or
not it seems wise. Al
Progress
THE Republican party stands
squarely upon its record of accom-
plishment for our schools, our high
ways. and the care of the dependent
charges of the State. 1t believes that,
citizens of Maine have ample reason
for proper pride in our past and
we'll warranted confidence in our
future. The Republican platform
pledges its concern for our forestry.
our agriculture. our industries, and
for the continued conservative devel-
opmcnt of our highway system with
recognition of the needs OF the sec
ond and third class roads in accord
anCe with the more liberal policy
inauSurated by the last legislature.
Let all our citizens and all our in
terests cooperate with the State in a
spirit of mutual hclpfulness and
Maine will experience the healthy
expansion and growth TO which 1t
1t entitled by its very great natural
attractions and our boys and girls
will be attracted to stay here in our
State.
Upon its record Of devotion to.
law and to progress the Republican
party in Maine might we'll submit
| itself for your approval.
The Republican party stands
| squarely upon its record. Mistakes
/ have undoubtedly been made. but
we have CROPPED our way through
the revolutionary changes that have
taken place in the past decade. and
the highway system of Maine today
stands as a partially completed mon
! ument to the integrity and the In
telligence with which 1t has been
progressively developed. The Re-
publican party pledges itself to a.
continued development in accord
| ance with the new light which we
are constantly gaining as to the traf-
! fic needs of the days that are ahead.
1t recognizes our highways IA init
| mately related to the healthy devel-
opment of or State.
Highways
THE problem of Names high
ways is peculiarly difficult because
of their extent. the character of our
soil, our climate. and our hills.
Twenty-Five thousand miles of high
way must be maintained by n sparse
~ settled population and under traf-
! flc conditions that have been revo-
lutionized in the past ton years on
account Of the enormous influx of
automobiles. Our visitors bring fry
million dollars year into this State.
The only thing the State must pro-
vide in return is roads that shall be
sufficiently satisfactory to attract
them to our unequalled scenery and
climate.
Remembering these difficulties.
Maine has performd n miracle, It
| seems to me, in the past ten years
in the manner in which Il has met
them. with bond issues of COM
paratively limited amounts. we have
| developed a system of highways
with over 800 miles of hard surfaced
roads and over 1000 miles OF gravel
roads. in addition to the system OF
second and third class roads which
is yet in ITS infancy.
'The Republican platform pledges
| continuance of our conservative
program of State highway construc-
ton and the continuance of the de-
velopment our Of second and third
class roads In accordance with the
more liberal policy inaugurated by
the last Legislature.
"It may seem to us that an omi-
nous Capitalization of government is
coming as result of the increasing
measure of state control and state
aid for our schools as well as roads.
but in both these cases It IL simply
a recognition of the fact that the
problem Is state wide In it's signih-
canoe. The small country towns in
Maine cannot be asked to bear the
burden OF building roads for thou
sands OF cars travelling from all sec
tons of our State and nation. More