Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-09

vent the participation in q primary
| of too recent converts to the stand
ard of the party they seeh to espouse.
corruption that was 'practiced by GER
tain influences in the recent primary
in this. State by taking the very
course that those interests would
way. new enrolment all over the
State substantially in advance of the
next primary might be warranted to
purge our lists at this time.
From my observation Of conditions
| over the State it seems to me ex-
| tremely doubtful whether a sufficient
case has been made out to warrant
referendum upon this law. in the
degree. of popular interest that has
been showrffn favor of change. The
provisions of the constitutional
amendment providing for an initiative
will afford ample means for q refer
endum upon, this measure whenever
a widespread popular sentiment shall
exist in favor Of it's repeal. Mean
while we may perhaps safely await
est in this movement and may ad-
dress ourselves to strengthening the
, provisions of our present law and to
mending the defects In our laws re-
Several of these were revealed very
clearly in the recent storm through
which we have passed..
Law Enforcement
Under the leadership of Neal Dow,
Maine took its stand as the pioneer
has followed it's example in enacting
the principles of prohition into its
fundamental law. Prohibition now
faces it's supreme test, as the forces
peal to the less thoughtful of our
citizens seek to undermine this law.
1t is imperative that all our citizens
shall come to realize that our consti-
k,,4 t-kn In df 81 n nd mr.
fall as whole. There can be no
divided loyalty. Our flag simply SYM
bolizes our Constitution. and no citi-
zen can rightly claim to be loyal to
that flag who is not loyal to the Con-
stitution, for which alone that flag
stands. Individual respect for law
must be inculcated by bringing home
to each citizen realization that the
burglar has as much right as another
to elect the laws that he will violate.
and that the whole structure Of our
civilization will fall if it shall have
accepted that citizen may violate u
to recognize both in our law and our
practice that the patron of tn, boot
logger is an accessory to the crime:
Maine in recent days has been dis
nation by the revelation that several
of it's chief executive officers have
been coaspiring to violate our Fed
eral laws. The most elementary con-
least persuade state to be reason
I abby assured that it's officials are free
IRON crime; States rights cease
when our officials disobey the Federal
laws.
1t is obvious that with over 5000
miles of boundary adjacent to terri
tory that Is wet we shall require Fed
! eral aid in the enforcement of the
Prohibitory. Law. But the Federal
authorities have right to expect the
very fullest measure Of cooperation
from such officials as cur meager re-
sources will afford in the warfare
! they are conducting against this
crime.
Prison Reform
Criminal conditions in our State
are such as to give the thoughtful
citizen increasing concern. Several
, of our county jaiis are filled to over
| flowing, and the splendidly equipped
new prison at Thomaston had scarce
~ been completed when 1t was neces-
sary to add thirty additional rooms.
| A proposal is pending for the con-
| struction OF a new Reformatory for
Men with an industrial building that
will cost approximately 100000 and
men as can be accommodated since
| the fire are now living In quarters
exactly like the barracks in which
| your present executive lived during
| the recent war as an enlisted man
with the exception that shower-baths
and toilet facilities and q smoking
! room are provided in the basement
for these charges of the State. The
| those existing in most of the lumber
camps of our State.
1t seems clear. however, that some
more permanent arrangement must be
made in the not distant future and
additional quarters must be provided.
| The stock upon the Reformatory
farms are cared for by these men
| under conditions much more favor
able than those existing on ninety
five percent of the farms in our State
1t Is difficult to determine to what
extent this is economically wise. but
1t is to be considered how far such
! conditions may incline men to agri-
cultural life in our State under condi-
lions much more adverse.
lection of society. from citizens or
aliens who will not obey it's laws, and
secondarily for reform. Criminals
seem in many aspects to, be the chill
sservation with children that cod
ding" spoils both the child and the
parent and the home. If executive
c!emency shall supersede. the func-
in the trial and punishment of crime.
we shall have started back on the
long road toward the autocratic gov
ernments OF other days from which
and the pardoning power must exer-
else presumption in favor of the
courts. not the criminal, If orderly
government is to continue,
Meanwhile the heart of every citi-
zen must be in sympathy with those
who are seeking earnestly the cause
or reform, both of the prisons and the
Prisoners, but never at the expense of
TO protect itself or it must soon cease
to exist. The startling increase in
CRIME in our country and the crowd
ing OF our prisons indicates that the
thought.
Unfair competition of prison in
dustrles must not be allowed All
the aneo states outside New England have
ieIences for the ALLEGATION of prison
industries to supply the needs Of the
activltes OF the. several states. A
New England conference will soon be
called. and it's recommendationsw will
pe entitled to great weight.
IT is probably good business and
Soou socloIogy to compensate the
prisoners from any surplus that thew
create but not at state expense.
Conclusion
You will understand that the re-
sources of the Executive Department
are entirely at your command. Full
ana unprecedented information is the
mrs requirement to prudent action in
the interest of our State. Mutual re-
spect and esteem will enable us and
the state alike to progress.
ouf country is faced today with an
increasing distrust of men in public
life. Citizens passing ~ on the other
slde delight to indulge in filings at
men who are trying to serve their
state. They little realize that thev
are undermining the wall that sun .
ports their own most cherjshedF
rights. Constructive and intelljgenH
criticism of governmental nolicies is
welcomed by every public man. hut
destructive and malicious gibes at Of
metals in general may CONSTITUTES q
more Serious menace to the STAT