Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-01-15
Governors Address,

representatives.:
In entering upon the discharge Of the
duties to which We have been respective
" called by our fellow-citizens, it is fit
ting shat we should recognize our de-
pendance upon that Being who is over
ALI aud above all. We have cause of
devout gratitude for the Divine favor
which has been shown towards the State
and the Nation during the wear which
ha~ just closed. In no period OF the his
tory of either, has our advance in popu-
hlnn. material posperitv and other con-
di.lon, OF true greatness, been more con-
>picnouS. We may well congr atulate
ourselves that so marked progress has
been made in healing the wounds OF the
terrible struggle for national existence,
ANA in re-uniting all sections of our be-
loved country iu a common devotion TO
Republic preserved from enemies with
ON, and within, redeemed from the curse
"i slavery, and consecrated to the
grand work of maintaining the equal
rights OF every citizen.
NECESSITY FOR ECONOMY.
The financial panic which SO recently
uHedteued TO cause serious deranyc-
mont 10 the business of the country, has
not been without its influence Tor good.
has given new emphasis 10 the great
economic law, that the savings rather
ihah ihe incomes of a people, are the
measure OF their material prosperity. The
cireill observer of the tendencies TO
rNtravdgance SO noticeable eyerywh here
r..n but recognize the truth that economy
. ;ac U;;a word which needs to be spok-
oH aud put in practice in private AS well
a. public circles. Fortunately the wave
oi eXiravagance has not been felt i'm this
i.grt of the country with SO much force
- elsewhere. Although the public al
iur> ui lie State have been managed
with such exceptional prudence and ill.,
iesrity. that the opportunities for re-
trcnchment are few; yet you will, un-
Hnubtedly, consider il an imperative
dpty AT This time 10 study the closest
'-'nomy, and TO confine your appropri-
atInn> within as narrow limits as is
rpu-lstent with the public welfare. In
wisely prescribing the extent of public
rNpcnditures, and in determining such
.'~t- oi cDmpensation of public officers
- NAV arise, YOU cannot fail to recog-
ujz, principles which are at once the
-dtty and glory of a popular govern
u 'nt.-thlt irugality and simplicity are
'-~'uti4l characteristics of free institu-
.'ns; and that official positions should
br sought less for the salaries attached
'o lilen, than for the satisfaction ana
hpHpr which come from faithful public
>e.N Ice. In every endeavor to maintain
'Hd promote the ighest efficiency, econ
"iny and integrity in all the departments
90. the State government. you will have
nay earnest cooperation.
THE STATE FINANCES.
The report of the State Treasurer
shows that the receipts of the State
lrea>ury during the year ending Dec
H. 1873, includingS379, 762. OS on hand
Dec. jl>t, 1872, was 81, 79S, SS4. 45, and
lhe expenditures during the samc period
=, 5o2, ip3. q, leaving balance of
; i}P, 40. 6c i'll the Treasury at the
c.'~e OF the year, most of which will be
needed TO meet obligations Of the State
t"at Will mature at an early date. Of
the receipts, Sl3l, 293 was the tax on
Savings Banks, 81, Goo interest on depos-
IFS, -, lSO duty on commissions 81. III
balance paid into the State Treasury by
tIf Insurance Commissioner, 1886 IL
rfnse tees from hawkers aud peddlers,
and nearly all the remaindei, reaching
about million and quarter dollars,
WA~ from direct taxation. OF the ex-
P'hdiures, 40, 566 was on account of
interest, and S2l4,70s on account of
linking fund and principal of public
debt: and about $40, 90 tor pensions of
soldiers and aid to soldiers orphans,
making direct expenditure of about
>bN9, IA arising from the late war. The
-un OF S374 ,91o was also paid from the
.ic Treasury to towns for common
-rlpOl purposes, and reduced municipal
taxation To That extent. This left about
>.'", 900 as the expenditures from gem
crli Stale purposes.
TIE STATE DEBT.
That portion of the public debt which
ctnc due in 1873, and was presented to
ihe Treasury, amounting to e49 600, has
been paid; ana the sinking fund for the
redemption of the debt as it shall become
due, has been increased during the
year to 81, 2j5, 746. After deductine
iDe sinking fund, the State debt on the
1T ot Jan. 1874, was IS, SS2, 654, reduc-
ton of S2Si, 499 duIing the past year
.lId of -, 366. 746, or more than one.
fourth, since the close of the war. At the
pr rate of accumulation of the sink
IA fund. the State debt will be met as it
natures. aud entirely extinguished in
1873. As the sinking fund, invested in
thted States and State securities, is al
ready over million and quarter dol
lars, and Is constantly increasing, l sug-
2est whether some additional provision
lor It, oversight and security wo uld not
bc advisable.
SOURCES OF TAXATION.
1t will be observed that up 10 the pres
cnt lime, almost the only resource Of the
STATE to meet both ordinary and extraor-
binary expenditures, has been direct
taxation. The State tax last year was
five mills on the dollar, but il is the iudg.
ment of the Treasurer that the tax NAV
be reduced the present year 10 four and
a half mills, provided the legislature
shall make no unusual appropriations.
most earnestly urge, however, that yoa
should consider whether it is not adyis-
able TO devise some method other than
direct taxation to secure part of the
revenue required for State expenditures,
- that the rate of taxation may be still
further reduced. Pennsylvania finds no
difhcuIty IN securing sufficient receipts
lr"ii indirect taxation tosuppOrt the State
government. A large share of the State
expenditures OF Massachusetts ia met by
the proceeds OF State tax upon the val.
oisu otnCt CofQ0f8llOns
over and above municipal taxation for
real estate and machinery, and upon the
business of Fire and LifeInsurance Com
panies. Without indicating more in
detail what sources of revenue may be
mace available to this State, l desire to
call your attention TO the subject, aud TO
'hg2es careful inquiry and investiga-
ti"n' with view ofdevising methods of
iIhlhg some portion of the burden of
taxation, from real estate. Such policy
wou'd give needed encouragement to
our agricultural interests, and promote
the resources of the State.
INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
Although the object sought in estab-
fishing Department of Insurance, was
simply to secure such supervision of
insurance as would protect the public
interests, yet the fees received for
Licenses have not only Daid the salary and