Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-01-09
REVISION OF PUBLIC LAWS.

y
Hon. Charles w. Goddard OF the city OF
Portland, by an unanimous vote or both
branches This important work has oeen
executed In an expeditions manner, and
the result OF the commissioners labors,
embodying the legislation OF the psst
twelve wears, will be before you. Judge
Goddard was peculiarly fitted to discharge
the duties of his Office, and the character
OF his work has indicated the wisdom OF
the selection, for his valuable research
aud labor will be app. cciated by the State
IL Is very satisfactory 10 our State TO
learn that great economy has been practic-
ed by the Commissioners. The entire cost,
so far, or the revision, including all un-
avoidable charges, will not exceed S., 800.
The State of Massachusetts has just fully
completed the same kind OF labor and the
entire expense OF revision and the cost or
publishing the necessary amount or vol
umes will reach the sum Of SS1, 1910.
Although the whole amount of our work
must be reprinted, It must fall far short
Of the Massachusetts, expenditure.
The revision is accompanied with re
port and valuable historical note on the
sources OF land titles in Maine. The Com
missioner also submits 20 your cousidera-
ton forty-siX amendments suggested by
many OF the eminent jurists OF the State
and adds some important suggestions OF
his own; among the latter there Is refer
ence TO the taking effect of constitutional
amendments, to the publication ofthe laws
aud proClamatious, a recommendation for
"A legislative draughtSmRn, suggestions In
regard To the double taxation OF mortgag-
"a property, 10 the reorganiZ Ition OF the
Law Court 20 facilitate the more speedy
l..
and 10 the calling OF \ convention for re-
vision OF the Consultation, all which with
the Commissioners report, are commend
eli 70 your careful consideration. The
addition OF reference index and reference
index titles will greatly facilitate an exam
ination n this new draft. and a reference
70 the revision OF 1871 and the subsequent
acts. Il i hoped that the legislation OF
the coming session may be Incorporated
into the new volume. 30 that the fourth
revision of the Statutes Of Maine may be
issued first and need no supplementary
volume until 1855. | would recommend,
IL practicable, that such an additioa be
made.
LAW DEPARTMENT.
The last report OF he Attorney General
OF the State will De laid bertre You carly.
FA VIII O.fNFTNF AuAk tNit NutN uiN Nu~-
tanned the con>iitutionslity of the statute
by which express AMI telegraph computes
have been taxed uuier the provisions OF
the public laws OF lSSO and 1881. These
taxes. heretofore resisted. have now been
paid iutO the treasury. The several suits
Involving the right OF the State In tx
railroad companies. under thu law of 1880.
have been tried before the full Court, ani
-. a,r.sfsrfi,,.1ft,,, q fh.. u, su-f .su.f
A suit brought against the Portland. SSco
and Portsmouth Rtilro.d Company. under
this act i still pending The Governor
and Council, under the provisions 90 the
present law. levied tax on railroad com
panirs Amounting 70 500 l22 %; OF this
amount s7l,3G).4l was promptly paid.
The plymvut OF the balance will depeut
upon the conStitutOnality OF the statute.
The duties pertaining - the Ofi:e or \;
tor1ry General are increasing. Import
ant questions involving the construction
OF laws. the assessment and collection OF
taxes. the preparation OF suitable blanks,
sud variety Of similar matter which re
quire legal research and advice, have been
submitted - the Attorney General, by the
Executive and other departments, and
have received prompt attention, with sat
iSrsctpry results. The stat sites aud in
formation contained in the report are val
liable aud the suggestions are worthy or
your consideration.
rISHERi-- AND CANE.
Tho reports OF the Commissioner for the
past two wears indicate favorable results
from the money expended by the State.
Popular feeling justly Su>ttins the depart
meul OF Fisheries and Game. Ei1 lent
law, should bee passed and enforced, SuS-
tanning the policy OF the State 10 the prop
ogation OF h>h AMI game. Serious com
plsiuts have been made ia regard . the
manner OF taking aud the di>pp>itI q OF
small Holsters. which without some rene
~ will produce d-l~t-rinus consequences.
The suggestions Of the Commissioner are
worthy OF consideration.
INSURANCE.
The Commissioner has complied valua- (
bic statistics IN regard 10 the several com
p4ui-s doing business in this State. | |
commend % YOU his suggestions and r.
commrudaiiouS. The business = import |
ant, far reaching in IT, fleets, and re-
quiIes thorough sup rvisiDn.
INDIAN TRIBES.
\ personal inspection ~ the Governor |
and Council furnishes evidence that these |
wards OF the State are making substantial |
improvement aud Advancement Ia educa-
t.on and agriculture. Treaty obligations |
require th- State % nake annual apprO- |
prtciOus for their benefit in these psrticu-
lars
TAXATION.
The necessary expenses or the State /
Government should not be curtAiled. TIE
demIds OF education, State Institutions,
charities, aud military defence. call for al
equAt- appropriations. for the public good
There should De strict economy in al eX-
peuditureS.
The Legislature of 1874 inaugurated a
new system OF taxation. seeking 60 Equal
lie it ~ removing part - the burden
from the productive industf OF the State
and transferring IL "a capital invested In
railroad, telegraph, express and insurance
companies, savings banks, ami like cor
pOratiOn- aud business. By repeated
changes OF law, q system OF taxation has
been lrgalized aud sustained ny the con
>titutiOnal authorities OF the State. which
has brought new revenue into our treas
ury. and thereby lightened the burden on
visible property.
The STATE o. Vermont has already pro-
yided, ~ tax on these several interests.
sum sufficient FOR all the st ,te expeudi-
lures without assessing a single dollar on
the several towns ant cities.
I would suggest that th. legislature in
vestisate the present system OF tax ttiOn,
IS fai as practicable, that measures may
BE- devised % provide that all kinds Of
property aud interests be reached, so that.
in just way, public burdens may be equal
N.m
or tax be levied on telephone companies
doing business in the State.
TEMPERANCE AND PROHIBITION.