Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-08
GOVERNOR BAxTER'S FARE.
WELL ADDRESS


On retiring from Office. Governor
Baxter issues a Farewell Address
to the People Of Maine" He did not
have and he did not need precedent
for this. Whether it may serve, as
he evidently hopes, to keep in the
minds of the public coherent ex-
preston of the knowledge he has
gained "from 20 years experience"
and enlist and retain support of his
conclusions, remains to be seen. 1t
q probable that Farewell is mis-
nomer.
The Journal has not always agreed
with his conclusions. It has not
changed in that respect. nor is 1t
likely that the Governor will change.
Certainly there is nothing in this
farewell address to indicate it.
The Journal has from the first
recognized the courage with which
Governor Baxter has stood against
opposition; 1t has recognized his una
firing devotion to the duties of the
executive department and the affairs
Of the State: his high ideals. 1t has
been possible for him to do this and
he has not stinted his effort; he has
stood for clean government, for en-
forcement Of the laws; he has In
CURED unpopularity in some quar-
tiers and popularity in others by his
inSistence on economy. Some have
thought he has not always fairly ap-
piled the pruning knife, but we may
be sure It was not because of any
lack Of courage SO to do; some have
thought he erred at times In judg-
ment, parsimonious with respect to
some enterprises and making favor
ties OF others. However. no individ-
ual's Judgment is infallible.
We believe 1t is fortunate that Mr.
Baxter was Governor at the time OF
the burning of the old prison; we
believe he has inaugurated there a
constructive effort of which the
State Of Maine for quite a number
favors paying the prisoners some
thing for their work. We believe
in this principle. We hope like policy
ever, that Governor Baxter has been
disposed to exercise the pardoning
power beyond the limits of due
recognition of the responsibilities OF
the courts: that If the courts are al
fault, remedy should be sought there
rather than through the pardoning
power, which cannot have the per-
spective and the detail of evidence
presented to it as it should be pre-
scented to q court. His conclusion
that q prisoner who has passed Is
years in confinement and been a good
prisoner is a safe person to turn back
into society should not be expected
to be in accord with all the author
tiles on penology.
He would have every child re-
quired to attend the public school,
but those who have attempted it
have found themselves in conflict
with the Federal Constitution, and
the logic Of his conclusion is not the
only factor which would have to be
considered.
He would have State aid withheld
from local and private hospitals,
schools and charities a policy that
has much to recommend 1t, but
which should not be undertaken with
regard to all these institutions of
service without first arriving at
knowledge Of the effects. And while
he would divorce the State from
these activities he would have it en-
ter upon huge undertakings connect
ed with water storage, If there be
opportunity yet afforded for doing
this, which we doubt.
He has experienced the handling
OF a fat contingent fund and thinks
there Is need Of restrictions. We
agree with him, that some change is
needed.
His offer Of $4,000 toward meeting
land damages for public park at
Mount Katahdin contingent upon the
State appropriating like amount
annually for two years attests his
earnest desire for this project, which
he has advocated from the first, and
with excellent though it has seemed
to us not reasons paramount for the
occasion.
These are a few Of the matters
which he touches upon. All of them
are worthy of consideration, worthy
of public expression, both for and
against. Taken as whole they
summarize that which he has advo-
Gated from time to time, having en-
joyed anu employed the avenues of
publicity to an extent unprecedented
among Names Governors. Publicity
is needed, especially under present
conditions. OF propaganda there is
an oversupply. Publicity of the right
sor: calls for both, or all sides of
public questions. The Governor has
presented his side. and though it
lacks the detail required for thorough
consideration it should serve to bring
thar out and so prove Of advantage
to those who wish to secure an intel
ligent comprehension of these ques-
tions. We may expect a number of
these to require our attention in the
future. Governor Baxter has helped
to prepare our minds by his empha-
sis on these subjects. We will be
advised to acquaint ourselves with the
other side, too. Only in that way
may come comprehension.
Our readers, the people in all parts
Of the State, will not forget the eff
forts of Governor Baxter to meet
them and get acquainted with them
We can think of no public official
better qualified for doing this or who
has made a more pleasing impress
sion. Affable. courteous, gracious, q
convincing speaker, he has made
many friends and admirers in every
part OF Maine, who would find it q
pleasure to approve such Of his con-
clusions as they may find to be cor
rect.
And here we would express our
appreciation Of the graceful adieu
Governor Baxter makes to the peo-
pie OF Augusta. He says of the four
years that he has spent here that
they have been delightful, that it is
not pleasant to sever the ties. 1t is
not pleasant to the people Of Au-
Gusta, man. woman or child. They
win miss his kindly presence, They
will cherish the recollection of him
and there is a warm welcome in
their hearts awaiting him whenever
h NAV come hack tn us