Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-09
Dailu kenneber Journal.
Governors Address.

Gentlemen Of the Senate and House of Rep
resentattres:
In accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution of the State. you have assem-
bled to discharge the duties imposed upon
you by that instrument, and to enact such
laws as in your judgment the happiness and
prosperity of the people demand.
The year so recently terminated has been
one of peculiar fruitfulness. Our focks and
herds have multiplied. No widespread epi-
demic has prevailed within our borders, and
the blessings of health to an unusual degree
have been vouchsafed to our people; and
yet surrounded by these favors, we are COM
PEELED to note that financial distress prevails
to an unusual extent. Property has depre-
ciated in value business interests are pros
trated; thousands of our people are out of
employment and other thousands are work
ing at prices which barely keep themselves
and their families from the poor house: in
terest and taxes are paid with extreme diff
Guilty or not at all; and in all circles there is
feeling of dependency in relation to bust
ness enterprises.
As Legislators, it is your duty to search
with care for the causes which have produced
these results, and so far as in you lies to ap-
ply the remedy for existing evils
STATE ExPENDrruREs.
The fact that our State expenditures. ex
elusive of any payments on account of our
public debt. interest on the same, and of boun-
ties to soldiers or their families has nearly
quadrupled during the last twenty years. not
wlthstanding the fact that our population has
renamed almost stationary is one of peculiar
significance. suggest for your considera-
non this entire subject. Unnecessary offices,
if any are found should be abolished and the
personnel of every department of the Gov
ernment reduced to the minimum of absolute
necessity. IF three trustees can do the work
Of five or seven, let the number be reduced;
II one Commissioner of railroads or other de-
partments, can do the work of three. and do
II as well or better letwo be returned to the re-
pose OF private life, or delegated to some
more useful employment. The desire that
was uppermost in the public mind during the
late canvass and that was most strongly voiced
in the election, is the desire for reform in
the administration of State affairs. and can
not too strongly urge upon you the necessity
FOR the most thorough scrutiny Of the civil
service in all its branches, in order that econ
omy may be rigidlv enforced and the burdens
OF taxation reduced to the lowest reasonable
point
BIENNIAL SESSIONS.
The annual session of the Legislature now
required by the Constitution is attended with
great expense. and it is believed majority of
the people demand change of that instru.
ment authorizing biennial sessions. as also a
change in the time Of holding elections SO
great saving Of expense, both in time and
money. can be effected by such changes that
nave no hesitation in recommending a sub
MISSION OF these questions to the decision of
the people.
TAXATION.
The subject of taxation is one which comes
to the home and person of every voter of the
State. The theory of a Republican govern
ment is, that every person should bear his
just proportion of the burdens imposed for
the protection of person and property, and
for the blessings Of civil liberty secured TO
all. 1t is not to be denied that this theory
fails in its pratical operation under the ex-
listing laws in this State. The average rate
OF taxation upon real estate and farm prop
erty for series of years has not been less
than one and one-half per cent. During the
same time very large proportion of the ac-
cumulated capital of the State has been vir-
tually exempt from all assessments. Proba-
bly, more than one hundred millions of the
accumulated wealth of this State is invested
in mortgages. railroad. municipal. county
and State bonds. or deposited in savings banks.
and 1t would seem but an act of Justice to
enact such laws. if practicable, as will com
pei the holders of such property to bear their
Just proportion of the public burdens The
tax imposed upon railroad stocks by the Leg
lslature. some two or three wears since is
wholly imperative so far as the real owners
OF our railroads are concerned. As the mat
ter now stands the assessment made upon
ie -,
on the right of redemption. trust your
wisdom will devise some method of reaching
the real owners, and compel the investments
IN this and kindred species of property to paw
the same rate of taxation, according to their
true valuation. as is imposed upon real estate
and other fixtures
INTEREST.
Closely connected with the subject of taxa
ton is that of interest By an act of a recent
Legislature, the law fixing the legal rate of
interest at six per cent. was so far modified
that any agreement upon the matter was
made OF binding force. The fact that we find
upon our records agreements to pay twenty,
nfty and even eighty per cent, renders the
inquiry pertinent whether the law should not
be restored, not only in the interest of moral
ity, but more especially for the protection of
the ignorant and those who may be sorely
The JUDICIARY.
The Judiciary is an integral and necessary
branch of the general government As at
present constituted the delay in the trial of
causes and the difficulty of obtaining prompt
and final decisions in cases of appeal are mat
ters of great complaint / commend to your
the various propositions which
may be submitted to you, trusting that such
a reorganization may be effected as will re-
move all reasonable objections and promote
the ends of justice.
EDUCATION.
The Constitution of the State enjoins upon
the Legislature the duty ''to require the sew
eral towns to make suitable provision, at
their own expense, for the support and main
tenance of our public schools" and also ''to
encourage, and suitably endOw, from time to
time, as the circumstances of the people may
authorize, all Academies, Colleges, and Sem
inaries of learning within the State" Under
and in compliance with this provision of our
law, the annual assessment of
our people in all the towns and cities through
out the State for the support of our public
schools, has become a matter of statute reg
ulation. These primary institutions have be-
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