Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1842-01-20
Report of Treasurer of State.
TREASURY OFFICE,
Augusta. January, ]. 1912
elicit nothin!

huSusth' January, j: AOfS
To the President ofHe Senate
and Speaker 9fhe House of Representatives.:
In compliance with the provisions of the Consti-
sutton and laws ofihe State, respectfully submit
10 the two Houses of the Legislature detailed ac-
count of the state of the Treasury, it existed on
the 3lst December ls4l.
would embrace this opportunity 10 submit few
thou ghts TO your consideration. tina, arise naturally
from an examination of the financial concerns of the
State. Its debt, though small compared with the
debt of most Of its sister Staes yet SO large that
every citizen must feel deep interest in its exin-
guishment. No subject, of more universal interest
will come before this Legislature, than the es,ab-
lshmenl of a system of action, gradual and certain
in its operation which WILL in series of years,
without its being very sensby felt, relieve the State
from its advertisements,
There appears to be but practicable way, by
which the claims agains. the State can be finally
settled and that is by nisng each gear Il sum
more than sufficient to meet all expenditures a,
way demanded alike by sound policy, good faith
and common honesty,
We have but two important sources of income.
separate from what may be raised by State tax
and proceeds of the sales of our Public Lands, and
the Bank tax. The latter having for many years,
been appropriated to the support of our primary
schools, has added nothing to the available means
ofthe Treasury.
We have always Gattered ourselves that the State
would ultimately reap rich revenues from her pub
lie lands but experience. thus far, has not confirm
ed this expectation. 1t will be perceived that dur
ing the past year there has been an increased reve-
10 the State from this source, and we may
hope that such will be the case for the future But
il ought moi TO be expected that from this source
enough will, IN any year, be realized to
the expenditures of the State Neither is it
to be desired for in the sale of its ands the STATE
should have higher objec; in view, than that Of
obtaining The arges, amount Of money. in the short
est possible period Its object no doubt, should be
to provide for the happiness and prosperity or lis
czens rather than 10 foster and encourage that spirit
OF speculation, which is so adverse to both.
From the Bank tax, we shall probably, during the
coming year, receive fraction over thirty thousand
dollars (30,00o) To what purpose shl this be
| applied Shall it be used by the State for its own
necessities The tax was originally demanded OF
the Banks for this purpose, hut the people have IN
doubtedly required, in years past, its appropriation
to primary schools. A free people, resolute in the
determination 10 CONTINUE so.wil always insist upon
the maintenance and encouragement OF free schools
a wise people will be anxious to pursue the besl
means for obtaining that end. And it may be ques-
! ed whether those most interested, would at this
time. and under existing circumstances, think il
advisable 10 continue this distribution, when, the
amount would be so inconsderable 10 each scholar
as it must be for the future While the Bank tax,
for several years has been annually diminishing, tho
1 number of scholars, for whose benefit il has been