Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-01-12
GOVERNORS ADDRESS

GeHt,eAea Of he Senate and House q
Representatives.
Standing at the threshold OF new yeaI
and confronted with grave public reSpon'
SibiileS. il Is fitting that we should seek
Divine guidance iu the discharge OF the
duties respectively imposed upon Us. fol
the abundance OF the neeessaries and
comforts OF lille, the general health. the
uninterrupted peace and good order. aud
the intellectual and moral influence with
which we. as people, have been favored
during the past year. there Is occasion tor
deyoat gratitude and thankiulness.
In Ialing before you the information
required bv the Constitution, il affords
me qualification 10 be able to present so
favorable , report OF the financial, edu.
catiOnal and other important interests of
the Stale. SO far as | am aware. every
department has been conducted with lidel-
iiy, integrity and prudence, and with the
single purpose OF promoting the public
welfare. need not remind YOU, upon
whom devolves the responsibility OF au-
thorizing aud directing public eNpendi-
tuyes. that. in the present depression OF
business. there Is special aud urgent
necessity that every appropriation should
receive the most rigid scrutiny. So far
a. NV limited authority may reach. |
shall NEST earnestly endeavOr 10 apply
the same economy. fidelity aud scruuity
to public expenditures that business men
would apply 10 their own atlSus.
THE STATE FINANCES.
Considering the gigantic burdens i'm
posed upon The people OF Maine. aS well
as OF every other loyal State. by the war
for the preservation OF national eNistenc,
the financial condition OF this State is
more favorable than could have been
reasonably expected II appears by the
report Of the State Treasurer that the
aggregate receipts OF the treasury during
The past year. including cash on hand al
the beginning OF the year, were Sl.S53.
9O4. IS, and the disbursements during the
same period l.537.7lS 54. leaving a
balance OF 1922. .lS5 81 in the treasury
Jau. lSt, 1870.
OF the receipts. Sl,l69 S62 was from
The State tax OF five mills on the dollar,
So 996 from public lands. SAP. .25S from
the tax on savings banks, (about S12, 200
OF this tax sill unpsid) SIS. SIS nom The
tax on railroads, IS $50 from interest on
deposits. - 240 from dnlies on commits
siOns, 81. 749 lIom licenses TO peddlerS,
and 81 .422 from insurance departments.
or the disbursements, -. l16 were on
account OF rents OF shores belonging TO
the PenobScot Indians and SS.06j on
account OF taxes assessed on Wild lands
Tor the benefit OF counties. sums which
simply passed through the elreaSury-leav
ing the actuai disbursements : .J2+ 4>s.
o. this amount. ISL 900 were paid on
account Of special and exceptional mp
pIOprialions Tor rebuilding the caniage
shop IN the State prison, re arranging and
repairing the reform school building, lin
ishing the chapel building connected with
the insane hospital. yentilaling the state
house. buildings roads and bridges mainly
in ArOostoOk county, and in aid oi the
College OF Agriculture and Mechanic
Arts. Maine General Hospital Rnd indus
trial school for Girls.
Thus. AFTER dedueIing these spsciA! ap
PrOpyialiOns. the expenditures OF The past
year appear 10 have been . .tl2 .Gs1. OI
this amount, sIlt.Szt was on account OI
war debt. pensions 10 soldiers and aid 10
soldiers, orphans. and s407 .+57 on account
OF public Tree high and normal schools,
with 3 considerable sum sill due on &c.
count Of educational purposes. The or.
dinary expenditures, therefore. during
The past year, have been $500. ga. or a
little less than one aud a half mills on
the dollar Of The State valuation. While
this statement indicates lha. the expendi-
lures OF the Safe are controlled by con.
sideraiiOns OF economy 10 an extent rare
ly observed in public affairs. yet in my
judgment there are some directions 10
which the expenditures authorized by law
NAV be somewhat reduced without injury
to The public interests. On this subject /
shall communicate with The legislature 81
an early day.