Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-08-01
From the Portland Press
PillSbury'S EffrOntcry.

During ten years of democratic rule in Maine
the State taxes were less than 81 100000. Oar
ing ten years of republican rule they have been
over Sl2, 100000. An increase of more than six
hundred per cent. Do you think change would
do any harm ;-.Haine Standard.
The above item has been made to DO duty on
several occasions and has been noticed by repub-
lican papers frequently The Standard assumes
that the party in power is responsible for the in
crease of taxation in Maine. Eben Pillsbury as
sumes that the people of Maine are fools. Look
at the expenditures of the last years OF democratic
rule in Maine and the years of republican rule
previous to the war-the taxation was no higher
in the latter than in the former period. How
came it to be increased afterwards Does Mr..
L. F. Pisbury imagine that the people of Maine
have forgotten? They have not and they will
not so long as he and Marccllus Emery live to
publish papers and manage apolitical party. The
people OF Maine know that they are burdened
with State and municipal taxes to-day because of
a four years war for which democrats are respon-
siole. They know, too, that Eoen F. Pillsbury
not only did his utmost to bring the United States
authorities into contempt during that war but that
lie was one of the number III Maine who gave
the rebel leaders in the South encouragement.
They know that through the influence OF such
men Eben +. Pillsbury and Marcellus Emery
and such NAL gnant sheets as the Franklin Patriot
and Bangor Democrat the war was t0ur IN
stead Of tico gears duration. Now the same man
OF odious record calls attention to the increase OF
taxation in Maine, as though he and his party
were not responsible for it.
The expenditures OF the State for the year end
ing December 81, 1879, were 81 ,56S 40 40. OF
that amount the following items are to pay la
bllises arising from the democratic rebellion sup
ported By Piilsoury 4 Co.:
State Debt, $4,000
Interest on War Debt, i23, $3.50
sinking fund of 1861 l23.77J
Sinking fund of 1868, 10. 133
Bath Military Asylum, 5000
Portland Orphan Asylum, 5000
Bangor Orphan Home, 1000
Soldiers Pensions 24,J2S
S6S9.996
The policy of the State respecting public edu-
cation has been changed that tax of one mill
on dollar is laid upon the entire valuation OF the
State Under this school mill tax act s36i, 2S1 80
was paid out of the State Treasury last year. We
do not undertake to defend condemn the law;
but on account of it the tax which towns are re-
quired to raise has been reduced and the towns
get the benefit of every dollar of il. BY another
change in our school policy 81 ,S5i was paid last
year TO aid free high schools. Since the good Old
democratic days, the needs of our school system
have demanded normal schools for the instruction
of teachers. The expenditure for these schools in
1875 was $4,000, which Included extensive re-
pairs on buildings Thus the State expended last
year for the promotion of commoa schools Sell
Isl. In 1875 the State paid out S31 00J to sup
port insane paupers, an expense whca IN 1910
wholly devolved upon the towns. Deduct these
sums SOL, I'D from the balance OF expenditure
after paying the liabilities and there is bal
ance of 1851 ,63S. This is not large sum with
which to run the various institutions which the
State maintains, charitable educational, reforma
tory, and penal, and the State government.
The government OF the State Of Maine is run
economically. The legislature may have been
more liberal than many have thought wise, but
that liberality did not amount to more than $780,
900 the past year, and the money was devoted TO
noble charities like the Maine General Hospital,
the Girls Industrial School, and to roads and
bridges in the and poor sections Of the State
The people of Maize may want change; but
they will wait until some other party applies than
that which the Maine Standard represents.