Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-07-27
Candidate Mclean
lContinued from PAGE Onel

tifc." Mr.. Brockway, as as result
Of his investigation, says, according
to newspaper report, that the people
should demand from the state that
they be told simple just bonn the
state stands in financial maeters. The
editorial above mentioned continues,
nothing is more open to Inspection
than state finances. But few can
grasp them. The whole system prob
ably needs simplification." Mr..
Brcokway would not have recommen-
ded that the people demand that they
be told simply how the state stands
If it were impossible to do so. 1t is
true that the present financial system
can be used to confuse and evade.
This was made clear by ex-Gov. Bax-
ter in his st. Adams speech Of Aug.
II, 1925, when he said:
Although I do not approve this
overlapping system. 1t iss in saccor-
dance with the law Of the State and
must be complied with. 1t makes for
confusion and evasion of responsible
ity. 1t is unfair both to the old and new
administrations; 1t is unfair to the
people and to the minority party. For
example: Governor Brewster will
seek denomination in June, 1926, be-
lOIc lc has AiIlSIleu Ills LESI IlSCdl
year, July 1, 1925 to June 80, 1926,
and before the voters will be able
to pass accurate Judgment on his
record. Moreover, the states books
in July after the June primaries have
been held, and the Departmental and
Institutional reports are not ready
for the public until October or No
vember following the State election
n elf 4c
most unfortunate, for it enables the
party or person in power to conceal
its or his record until it is too late
for criticism. This law was passed
presumable in good faith, before !
was Governor; it should be changed"
A system which can be used to
conceal or evade should, of course,
be changed. But there are certain
facts which can be given to the peo-
pie and as Mr.. Brockway suggests
in language that they can understand
The people are entitled to these
facts. They are certainly entitled to
have simple inquiries regarding any
statements made, answered. Ac-
cording to newspaper report one OF
candidate stated at a rally in Gar
diner on July that "a continuance of
the present financial policy of the
State should make it possible the
next two years for the State to make
ten per cent reduction in taxation.
Mr.. Thayer, the opposing candidate
very properly asked upon what. basis
Tin view of the fact that the finan-
cial statement of the Auditor as of
May 81, 1926 showed a balance of
only $100,000) it was expected to
make such a reduction. 1t should
have been answered. The people were
entitled to its answer before the pri-
mary. They are entitled to it now
They were and are particularly en-
titled to it in view of the fact that
the question was based on a financial
statement of the State Auditor.
MIR. Thayer's query was answered
editorially by the Lewiston Journal,
June 1, as follows. with the word
deficit" written in capitals:
When Major Thayer says that we
have only 100000 in the general
treasury at the present time as of
June 1st, he states a half fact. We
have over three millions in the treas
ury and a balance of 100000 over
and above the reserves for trust
funds, etc, and appropriations spec
tally set aside"
"A year ago we had a deficit of
about $750,000 on this basis of com
putation. In other words, we are
sS50,000 better off than June 1st OF
1925. Comments are unnecessary"
This answer has in no way modi-
fed or explained. l am wondering if
1t is the desire that it should stand as
the answer to Mr.. Thayer's inquiry.
All questions put as to the present
pf]t NitsiSr CT %
seem to result in a comparison with
the Baxter administration to the det-
Timent of the latter. Mr.. Thayer in
quires about the proposed 10 per cent
reduction in the tax rate, which-and
this should be understood by all-can-
not in any event begin to be effective
until after June go 1927, the close OF
the present State fiscal year, and is
told that Governor Baxter had a deficit
of $750,000 on June l, 1924. I make
some investigations at the State audi
tors office, and the auditor forthwith
issues a statement that the present
administration has been one of strict
est economy" and to prove it, says:
For example, during the last six
months of Governor Bakers admins
tration about $4,000 was expended
from the State contingent fund. Gov
ernor Brewster and his council have
gone through the year with less than
$171, 900 expended from the same
source. a fact which speaks for itself. u
That .ex-Gov. Baxter does not agree
either with the Lewiston Journal edo
torial or with the conclusions Of the
State auditor is shown by the follow
ing quotation from his st. Adams
speech:
"Governor brewster apparentlv does