Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-18

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selves and for those who are to come after US
And. sir, hold il 10 be a wrong to the farm
ing interests of this State and to do violence
to the evidence of our own senses to intimate
tlat they in common with all classes are not
enjoying the full benefits which should be the
outcome of their industry. intelligence and
economy.
There is no doubt that cases exist where
farmers, through misfortune for which they
are not responsible. or extravaganza which
in some instances might have been avoided
have incurred debts and mortgaged their
farms. But that is also true of all classes of
our citizens. Ii is no uncommon thing for
the merchant and mechanic to mortgage his
real estate to carry on his business. And it
has become quite the fashion TO count up
these instances where for one cause and an
other membranes have been placed upon
farms to raise money. and then for political
purposes parade these instances As evidences
of the poverty of the farming community.
Sir. this line of argument is both falIacious
and unjust. And | have observed that when
ever this exhibition of real or imagined in
debtedness has been made, that no account
is taken of cases where farmers have grown
Independent; of improved breeds of cattle.
swine. horses and sheep, which are begin
ming to win for the farmers of Maine an en-
viable reputation abroad; of comfortable
houses and barns. of improved tools. and of
the means which they have at hand to edu-
cate their children and surround themselves
with the substantial comforts of life. No sir
our farmers are not paupers. and it is an
error to think that they are. And when both
sides of the story are told, it WILDE found that
their condition compares favorably with any
other class of our citizens.
able source of wealth The census
shows that in 1850 our improved
lands in Maine were 2707. los acres, and in
1870 were 2,9l7.193 acres. an increase of
2l0.sS5 acres. In twenty years prior to 1870
we extended our improved lands ,321. 16s
acres. In 1870 our farm products. including
stock. amounted to the enormous sum of
S33, ,410.04. We raised l.0534lj tons of
hay, which at so per ton would amount to
SO, ,j34. $50. We made over eleven and
one-half million pounds of butter and raised
over seven and one-half million bushels Of
potatoes. have not the census statistics to
compare between 1870 and 1850. but do not
doubt that, making allowance for the pre-
MUM upon gold then existing. we shall find
the figures in our favor. In 1870 the pro-
duct of our fisheries amounted to S979,6l0
And when we glance at our manufacturing
hind-hand. Never before has the genius of
invention developed into greater activity.
New and better machinery is taking the place
of the old. New mills are building, new en-
terprses started: new sources of occupation
are everywhere opened to the laboring man
Wherever the man is willing to work. whether
it be with hand or brain. he can find employ
ment In 1870. we produced from this branch
alone, s79.497, ,52l. In the large centres
Of trade where. thirty wears ago. business
was done on small retail scale. now whole
sale houses are opened. and import and
manufacture our own merchandise. instead
of depending upon other cities or lands. In
a word since the introduction of steam and
electricity, the methods of transacting busi-
ness have changed, and we have kept pace
with the demands made by the increased
facilities for commercial intercourse, and the
constantly advancing wealth of the country.
regret that. from the fact that the statistics
contained in the recent census have not been
printed. am unable to lay before the House
the evidences of our condition which its
pages disclose. But | will call attention to
one matter as indicative of the prosperity of
the general public. From the reports of the
Bank Commissioners. it appears that, in
eighteen hundred and sixty savings banks in
this State had in deposits 1923 391. with
1897 depositors. In eighteen hundred and
seventy. they had Sl0.s39.95j. with 30. 527
depositors. and in eighteen hundred and
eichiy. S25.345 .9ss. with s0.941 depositors;
and the gain of eighteen hundred and eighty
over eighteen hundred aud seventy-nine was
81 1926. and in number of depositors. j.,
j04 Nor are these deposits in such sums as
to indicate that they are made bv capitalists.
The record shows that ont of the s0.947 de-
positors in lss0. the number who deposited
five hundred dollars and less. was 66,056.
There were small depositors who made this
saving of their earnings against rainy dav.
Add to these the number of frugal people
who invest their moderate earnings in bonds
and other securities. or in the Improvement
of their business. and the aggregate amount
would astonsh anv person who has not given
the matter attention. and still it is claimed
that the people who labor in this State are
not prosperous.
OF what avail then are these gloomy pre-
dictions and solemn lamentations contained
in this report They would seem alike nm
called for and unjust. They can serve no
purpose but to foment discomfort where conf
deuce should prevail. and to lead into error
those who seek to learn our condition by the
perusal of il. pages They belong. rather,
to that elias, of dismal and unfounded fore
bOdlngs winch sometimes are alnresseu DN
astrolocers 20 the tim;d and supersttous.
than to the utterances of a high executive
officer, addressed to the people of this State
upon subjects affecting their interests.
But whilst the general tone and effect of
the report is to be regretted. there are also to
be found in it teachings which we cannot
allow to pass unchallenged. There are certain
general propositions from which We may not
dissent and in which we find but little that is
new. All will agree that the burdens of tax
alton should fall equally upon all classes of
the community, and yet IT will be conceded
that the ingenuity of man never has and
never will invent a system of taxation which
will bring to the knowledge of the assessors
all taxable property. You NAV establish an
induisition which shah search each mans
conscience. upon his oath. and yet some way
will be invented to conceal taxable estates.
Nor does this unequal TAXATION fall alone
upon any one class, intimated in this
report The merchant. the manufacturer.
the ship owner, and the man engaged in
active business, all have their property
open to public inspection. Men who own
real and personal estate in cities pay not only
upon a valuation increased because of the ad-
vantages which a city affords. but oftentimes
they bear burdens arising from war debts and
aid extended TO railroads. far in excess of
country towns. Why is it that house which
in many country towns is valued for purposes
of taxation at one thousand dollars. would be
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