Daily Kennebec journal., 1925-04-08
REGARDING THE LAWMAKING

The LEGISLATURE should know bet
ter than the general public what are
tho needs Of our public institutions,
the conditions under which the in
sane are living. For fourteen weeks
It has been on the job. Members
have heard pleas pro and con. The
conditions attending lawmaking are,
Of course, somewhat bewildering to
the member during his first term. but
they are even more bewildering to
the outsiders. Indeed. were 1t pro-
per to do so, the newspapers might
admit as a result Of bewilderment,
fallibility in judgment-rarely OF
course. All this is naturally aggra-
waited by the confusion attending the
closing. Legislatures are always at
fault in the matter Of delay, Of put
ting over until another day, until the
inevitable congestion results and
then. too often in a spirit Of impat-
fence. hurriedly disposing OF that
which cutters desks and minds
alike. But it may not be inappro-
pirate, even at this late hour, for
newspapers to comment.
They have strongly urged economy.
This Legislature has been advised
early and late that the taxpayers
want economy: that sacrifices must
be made: that possibly in some in
stances there must be retrenchment
farther than good business would
seem to warrant. The Legislature
evidently has endeavored to respond
to this demand. Leaders have striv-
en-, along with the Governor. to bring
this about. Plans and proportions
have been outlined, such that If a
change now be made there is danger
Of trouble all along the line. Under
such conditions attempt at radical
changes in the closing hours would
be hazardous, probably ill-advised,
but there are certain conditions Of
which this Legislature should assure
itself before it adjourns.
The Legislature should be certain
that it has not attempted economy
ut the expense Of the helpless: that
It has not winked at injustice to SCI
cure q lower tax-rate. We may
laugh at the hotel proprietor's re-
mark when he charged a dollar for
a fifty cent dinner, that he hated to
do it but he needed the money. II a
railroad, for instance. is being taxed
beyond reason. to say that Maine
needs the money is no excuse for
continuing that policy. Maine needs
to be economical but we refuse to
admit she has arrived at the place
where 1t is essential she must be un-
Just to railroads, farmers or other
interests. least of all to her wards.
With regard to the present meth
ods under r'which our insane and unfit
are cared for. It is possible some
change in these might be beneficial.
but one thing is sure. the obligations
taken over by the State under the
plans of its own adoption should be
met. The unfortunates should not
suffer. because Of mistakes or because
Of economy. The immediate question
here seems to be are those unfortu-
mates really to be injured, sacrificed
to desire to keep down a tax rate.
People have heard the cry: "Wolf.
WOLF SO often they may be pardoned
for being somewhat skeptical about
the reports of hardships in our pub
lie institutions. But the Legislature
should know. 1t is its business to
know as to the truth Of these reports,
and knowing the truth it should act
as a humane. honorable Legislature
should act regardless of the tempor-
ary criticism. 1t should be able to
distinguish between Inconvenience
termed injustice and injury that is
real. Having made that distinction
in accord with its conscience, it will
be warranted in economy which is
not injurious. We believe that Is
what it Is trying to do. May it be