Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-08
Lewiston Journal.
A Republican and a Democratic
State,

An article in this weeks issue of the Bel
faat Age (dem.) entitled Republican State
Policy" attempts TO show that Maine has not
prospered under republican ule and that its
present condition does not compare favnrably
with its condition when the democrats con-
trolled the state government.
The Age needs only to consult the census
returns to realize the great gains made by
our State in wealth and industry since demo.
cratic times The figures have been printed
80 often and are so well known bv everybody
who has gwen airy attention to the subject.
including the editor of the Age, that it is not
necessary to reproduce them. However. it
is interesting to contrast the progress of
Maine under republican rule in the decades
covered by the last two censuses, with that of
State which has had democratic govern
ment We will ask the editor of the Age
whether, from business point of view, he
would have preferred to take chances in the
republican State of Maine, or in the demo-
, cratic State of Alabama, in the 20 years from
1860 to 1880
In Maine the number of acres of cultivated
farming land increased from 1888. 058 in
1860 to $3.50, 57S in $780,
In Alabama. the number of acres of cult
waited farming land decreased from 10, lO4 sos
in 1860 to 1855 334 in 1880.
In Maine, the value of manufactured prod
ucts increased from S3S, 1913, 254 in 1860 to
$40 ,S29, 1913 in 1880, or more than 100 per
cent.
In Alabama, the value of manufactured
products increased from $40 588, $50 in 1860
to Sl3 $50 504 in 1880, or about 33s per cent
The people of Maine, in 1860, were rich
enough to own 1903 horses. In 1880, they
owned l04, 428 horses.
LAX ~
horses in 1850, but their number had decreas-
ed to ll3, $50 in 1880.
Now we do not claim that the progress of q
state hinges on the politics of its state govern
ment only; but we meet the Age on its ow n
ground and put the record of a republican
state beside that of democratic state.
The Age complains that the State expenses
and taxes are higher than they were when the
democrats were in power. The Age knows
as well as we do that the republicans were
forced to make larger expenditures by the
cost of the war, for which the democratic
party is responsible. The war not oniy caus-
ed an enormous direct outlay. but sent up the
price of every article bought by the State, for
whatever purpose.
But this fact aside, let us compare the tax
rate in Maine with that in the democratic
State with which we have coupled Maine in
tue ABOVE statistlcS- Inc state tax of Maine
for 1885 was 81 mills on dollar. The State
tax of democratic Alabama was mills on a
dollar.
The Age complains about the high salaries
paid in this State. but shrewdly refrains from
giving figures. OF themselves, they would
make the Ages complaint appear ridiculous.
The fact is that the salaries paid the State and
county officers of Maine are small-so very
low that in some cases it is difficult to find
desirable men who are willing to take them.
We do not believe that the editor of the Age
would be willing to work all the year around
for the daily wages paid to member of the
Legislature or a County Commissioner
1t has been the general commentary of
Maine writer's and Maine speakers during the
past year that our State ne, er seemed to be
growing so rapidly as it is to-day. New
sources of wealth are constantly developed.
For one item. Maine has absorbed this year
from summer tourists who have come here,
at least 81 ,000, 900, not one dollar of which
fell into her Golfers in democratic times.