The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-04-26
Expenditure and Taxation.

To the Editor of the Press:
A careful consideration of the present con-
dition Of business in this city can hardly fail
to convince an intelligent observer that, dis
agreeable as it may be to admit ita point has
now been reached when any increased bur-
den Of taxation will be intolerable, and even
the rates imposed for the last two or three
years hard to be borne. Trade of all kinds
is dull; several important industries, en-
ploying large numbers of men, have come to
stop; the West India trade has dwindled
into lnsignifcance; no new enterprises of
Importance are projected, and the general
outlook is unpromising, not to say gloomy.
AT such time as this. the question of mu-
nicipal taxation becomes of the greatest i'm
portance, and every possible effort should be
made to curtail expenditures for the purpose
of tightening the burden of taxes. Periods
of depression occur at intervals in the histo-
ry of all towns, and they are sometimes fol-
lowed by corresponding periods of activity
and prosperity. But such favorable recover
les must be induced by systematic economi-
cal processes, and never come, if reckless
and unthinking expenditures have exhausted
the resources and the patience of citizens.
The history of New England furnishes nota-
BILE examples of cities and towns whose flu
ture has been hopelessly mortga ged by a
failure to discover that large and apparently
justifiable outlays for railroads and other
public works in times of prosperity, compel
corresponding economies in less favorable
years. Fortunately it is not too late for the
city of Portland to cut its coat according to
its cloth.
No ooY,n,apt will yha made 4. 4 <t;, 49,, -.
on the proposed sale of the city's stock in
the gas company, nor upon the proposed
lease of the Portland IL Ogdensburg Rail-
way, for, although these things are clearly
desirable, and one of them will soon become
a necessity, yet the money which would be
received from both operations would neces-
sarily be used for the reduction of the city
debt, and would not materially affect the
question of the tax levy at present.
What is now wanted, what is Imperative
ly necessary, is, such wise economy in the
appropriation for the current year. that the
amount to be raised by taxation can at once
be considerably reduced. What might fairly
be considered indispensable in prosperous
times, is not even proper when trade Ian
cuisines and all classes are poor" No great
er encouragement could be given to the mer-
chants and manufacturers of this city than
reduction of the taxes this year to the low
est point possible, and such a reduction can
easily be made, if the:committees of the city
W
everything that is not absolutely necessary
for the proper conduct of municipal affairs.
On the contrary, an increase in the tax rate,
or what amounts to the same thing and de-
ceives nobody, an increased valuation, would
inevitably prevent new enterprises, and
discourage those who have for some time
been struggling with the difficulties of the
old businesses. This city cannot now afford
desirable improvements, even those that are
necessary are burdensome, and there never
was a better time for the closest and most
rigid economy, and never has it been more
needed. When business revives, when new
men and new capital are attracted here, as
they surely will be under low taxation, and
certainly never will be under recent tax
rates; there will be time enough to indulge
in the luxuries of new streets, new public
buildings, comprehensive scheme of stone
pavements, and many other things for which
1t must unwillingly be said, we have paid In
late years more than we could afford.
Between expenditures that might be desir-
able and proper in flush" and prosperous
times and the careful and rigid economy
which should direct action in doubtful and
trying years, between encouragement and
encouragement, lies the choice of the pres
ent city government. That body is sup
posed to be put in Office to carry out the
views and wishes of those who elected it, If
1t does so it will certainly brighten rather
than increase the burdens of taxation.
NJ,