Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-01-11

losses paid, and $3.50, 0S6 ~ ior o'ne,
i,ems III, reducing the taxable amount
70 s75 2gs 81. 10 the case OF lie COM
NAMES the deductions practically deIea'
tba purpose OF the law. which was up-
doub,edly, to levy just share oil taxation
mon the large amount OF capltal draw"
from the State by them.
Although the tax is nominally assessor
upon the company, it is probably pau ~
nil cases. directly or indirectly, by inc
holders of policies. whether IRE OF me
II il certain that some-and 1t may DC
trne of all-life insurance companies
mako provision in their blank ioi ms 'ol
tho collection Of the tax from The persons
insured by them An unjust discrlmlna-
ton, in effect, is thus made oy INC Ia"
Those who insure their property agaius'
fire, pay a higher rate OF tax TO inc ota'e
on their expenditure Tor protection 'uaI
persons who procure life insurance pay
on expenditures for a recognized value 10
addition to protection.
No system OF taxation has yet been
devised which is not acknowledged 10 oe
imperfect and ineq table IN many res
meets. and il is not 10 be expected that u
nearer approach to an exact adjustment
can be made in this case than 10 Diners
| am convinced, however. That II Is III
Sour power 10 make closer approNlma-
lion TO Justice by so amending the law as
to limit the deductions from the amount
Of premiums received by insurance con-
panes. TO losses actually paid 10 the Stale
within this year.
Inc special tax commissioner. whose
report led 10 the taxation OF other corpor'
atoms, recommended therein that The re-
ceipts of express companies be subjected
to tax, and that telegraph companies ro.
main untaxed. but without assigning q
reason Tor the exemption advised.
respectfully recommend that you care
fully consider whether these companies
can Justly be permitted to go free OF duty
to the State.
THE ApJUTANT GENERALS DEPARTMENT T..
There has been no material change the
past year 10 the small military force
maintained by the State. II consists OF
the first regiment OF infantry, Two I'M
attached companies OF infantry, and one
battery OF artillery
IL is one OF the principal offices OF The
volunteer militia, II not the chief one. to
aid the civil authorities in quelilng dis
turbances when the ordinary means OF
preserving the public peace prove insult
cient. Although such contingencies
are not liable TO occur among law
abiding people, their possibility makes 1t
a a. o. Ia In
and thus render them more remote. On
any occasion OF sufficient gravity TO re-
auire the sery ices OF the military arm, q
battalion or regiment would be the small
est effective unit in order 10 be properly
prepared for duty. the scattered com
panies OF our armament should be brought
together occasionally for discipline and
dril in the larger organization
The question of holding an encamp
ment for instruction the present year
will. no doubt, be postponed to The con
sideraiion of the sending Of some portion
of the volunteer militia 10 participate IN
the inaugural ceremonies OF the Centon-
NAL Exhibition. Ii you should deem II
advisable TO show The interest OF tho State
in this celebration by responding favora-
bly, 10 the strong wish OF orr soldiers &c
take part in It's grand pageant, Maine
would not fail TO be well repres nted In
the column OF the citiZen-soldierY OF the
Upion, whose presence in Pniiadolphis in
1876 will be peculiarly appropriate and
suggestive
STATE PENSIONS.
The State pension system is valuable
supplement 10 the national system, and
oilen,imes. by the promptnesS OF It's bene
factions, affords timely relief which
could not be obtained through the tard el
process OF The latter. The Adjutant Gen
eral reports that the pension appropria
ton Tor the past year has not been entirely
expended, and that reduction may be
made in the amount of the appropriation
for the current year. without incurrine
the risk OF denying aid 20 deserving ap
picants. No appropriation Of the pubic
money receives more general and cheer
tul acquiescencs than that tor the benefit
of the men VINO gave health, strength
and precious ears OF youth or manhood
10 the country's service, and OF their lam
lilies suffering from The loss OF the bread
winner.
THE COMMON SCHOOLS.
The present common school system /:
The out growth OF the confirmation by The
war OF The conviction, the safety Of the
country rests upon the Intelligence of il:
citizens. Duty and self interest unite il
inducing the State 10 give the amples
facilities los education; to spare nothing
to provide what Luther styled the "bos
and cOstiiest possession OF Il city, q plenty
Of fine, learned. rational, honorable, vel
brought up citizens"
The good results OF the system are
apparent in the improved character OF the
schools, and the marked revival oil inter
est 10 all that pertains 10 the public prep
aration of youth for the business of life
and the duties OF citizenship. IL is by no
means perfect. but the success that has
thus lar attended it, is IN assurance that
it il, in the main, the true means of ac-
comprising the best results attain bic
for education. Some Improvements are
left 10 be made by communities Tor them
selves. as example and experience shall
enforce the necessity for them. Others.
required TO supply defects which the
workings OF the system have discovered,
and Tor The general benefit ii IS the PROV
ipce OF the Legislature 10 make.
The supersession OF the district by the
town system. is an important and desira-
Die object TO be gained. This is left by
the law to The voluntary acton Of each
town. and tho process of supplanling is
gradually going on. The town is The
unit and strength OF our political organ
ization. From il proceeded in great part
the Influences and The aid that sustained
the revolution and preserved the union.
1t has been well observed that The train
ing received in the administration of the