Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-14

Governors Message.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House of Rep
Tesent0ttres:

voice OF the law, to assume the responsible
ties and undertake the duties of Chief Magis-
trate, of our State, avail myself of this pres
ence to express my grateful thanks to my fel-
low citizens, to whose partiality l am indebt-
ed for this distinguished honor should be,
indeed, something more, or less than human,
il so distinguished mark of public favor did
not command my gratitude and my devotion,
and fill me with profound ssnse of the trust
reposed.
A public trust is the most sacred of all
trusts, and one that must bear with the great
est weight of obligation, upon every right
thinking mind. The betrayal of a high pub
lie trust is more than treason, and admits of
no excuse or palliation, and no mercy or pity
for him who betrays it. For, be it remem-
bered. that, after all the safeguards human
wisdom and human prudence can devise for
| the security OF our most sacred interests, we
must repose at last, for that security, upon
the simple honesty of man. No other found
alton than this hath society or government.
While it is with no little distrust of my
own abilities, it is not without some conf
dence. that assume the trust to which am
called Of my fellow citizens, and to the faith
full discharge to which have pledged myself
by the most solemn sanctions; for the people
are never unreasOnably exacting of their pub
| lie servants. Brilliant talents and great abil-
tiles are held by them in comparatively light
regard: but faithful public services, when rem
dered bv moderate abilities, never fail of their
reward in the appreciation and gratitude of
the people. The short comngs and mistakes
of public servant in the highest station,
even, are forgiven and overlooked, provided
he has done his best. Indeed so little exact
ing, and so indulgent are the people. it would
seem rs if they were quite ready to impute it
N m v,,h1 1in ant
does not betray his trust. This is sad re-
Election, if it be true, and yet one that should
inspire each of us. entering upon this term Of
service, with a zeal to do his best for the
commonwealth and, at the same time to Ia
ment that he is not able to do more.
shall not he able, gentlemen, to furnish
you with any detailed statement of the affairs
of the departments and institutions of the
State. / have not had access to the official
reports of last year; they have not vet been
published. Besides, owing to the uncertain
ty as to the election-the declaration of the
result have not made such examination of
these affairs of the State as might otherwise
have felt it my duty to make. Hence, for
needed information respecting the affairs of
the several departments and the condition
and wants of our State institutions. | have to
refer you to the official reports, which will
be laid before you at an early day ; confning
myself in the main. to such general reflections
and suggestions concerning them as seem to
me appropriate.
FINANCES.
Upon the subject of the State finances
give you such information as have been able
to obtain from the Treasurer's office:
Receipts for 1850. $l,672395 II
Expend tues, 1851 ,369 96
sinking fund, Jan. /, lssl l.so7.s57 "a
| Bonded debt, 900 00
The estimates for 1881 are not yet COM
pleted For these and all other details as to
the finances of the State | refer you to the
Treasurer's report.
| TAXATION.
Taxation is the one subject of universal and
7 vital interest to the people of this State. 1t
will receive from you. doubt not. that earn
est attention which its supreme Importance
demands. l wish it were permitted me to
say. that none of our people were oppressed
by debt and taxation that none looked to the
future with gloomy forebodings, seeing no
way out of the tolls of debt and taxation !;
that none, under the weight of these burdens,
either succumbed to despair or left their
homes to try tlreir fortunes in a new coun-
try: but rather, that all were prosperous,
contented and happy. 1t would be far more
agreeable to me and more in accordance
with the customary language on this occa-
sion.
The truth is. the people of this State are
oppressed bv the burdens they bear,-the
burdens of debt and taxation. Taxation falls
heavily upon some. because it does not fall
equally upon all. Too large a proportion
| of the public burdens falls upon real estate.
This especially true of the farming interests.
The property of the farmer, both real and
personal. is all visible and exposed to assess
ment. Besides, no account is taken of his
mortgages, though his farm NAV be mort
gagged for all that it is worth. 1t approxi-
mates the TRUTH to say that none of his prop
, erty escapes taxation according to the just
value thereof" OF this the farmer does not
complain, but when other classes of property.
in vast amounts. are permitted to escape tax
alton. in whole or part. he does complain
and has a right TO complain of the injustice
of his government. For he is thus made to
bear. not his own burdens only. but the bur-
bens of others. This is injustice. Taxation
and protection are reciprocal. 1t is the spirit
of our institutions to be equal as we'll as free
equal rights and equal benefits; equal protsc-
ton and equal burdens; special privileges to
| none.
II will devoIve upon you, the legislative
branch of the government, to devise and pur
sue such measures of relief from unequal tax
alton a. shall seem to you the most appro-
priate. II will be your pleasure as well as
yeur duty, ! doubt not, to reduce the current
expenses of the government. if 1t can be done
by the practice of a severe. not parsimonious
| economy. -.
But it is not in the economical expenditure
of the public revenue, so much as IN seek
ing new sources Of revenues and in equaliz
ing the burdens of taxation. that you will bt
able to compass such reforms and such reiie'
as will gladden. the hearts and cheer the hopes
j of our people The public burdens are un
eoualIv borne. When all the property In the
State is reached and taxed as real estate ane
all property of farmers according to tbs
lust value thereof" the rate of taxation vii
he reduced one-half Then viii taxation fal
lightly and be borne cheerfully, because I
will fall equally upon all. True ii is that ab
sslute equality in taxation can never be a.
tained. A disproportionate share Of the pub
, lie burdens will always be thrown on certain
kinds of property because they are visible
and tangible The best system to be sough
Is that which, in its practical operation, ap
proximates nearest to equality.
ExEMPrIoxs-
The IesisIature in il discretion, has Away
lexefcisei the power Of exeupting certai'