The Somerset reporter., 1891-01-15
Governor BurIelgh's Address


O0N6Tn0E buTIoikU Shttoco
posToS Journal
The movement for ballot reform in
Maine, which was already we'll under way,
will derive fresh impetus from the hearty
and unreseryed commentator of the re-
form which Gov. Burleigh makes In his
address to the Legislature.
Nothing short of the best should satisfy
the people of Maine. We hope that the
Legislature will give early and thoughtful
attention to this portion of the Governors
excellent address.
TLrwIsroS JOURNAL.
His Excellency, Governor Burleigh, in
his compact and excellent address 10 the
Legislature, now in session, calls attention
| to the necessity of full and fair valuation
as a basis for the tax-equity that is so slow
in coming, not because people dislike JUS
tice in the abstract, but because the only
man who thinks he isn't already oyt rtaxed
died and was canonized many years ago
His Excellency makes significant remark
when he calls attention to the fact that
twice as much property Is found by the
United States census takers in Maine as by
the town and city assessors. Why! Large
ly because it has been the practice. more
or less, to under-value property, although
by so doing the rate per cent. is carried
up. The injustice comes not in 90 or 70
Ter cent. basis, of valuation operating
generally throughout town, but III the
fact that in different towns different stan
dsrds exist.
| IGardiner Sews.l
Its perusal shows conclusively that the
Governor has thorough understanding
| OF the needs of the State. 1t Is docu
ment In which there Is much to commend
and but little to find fault with.
Portland Advertiser.l
| Governor Burleigh's inaugural address
Is of uncommon interest. The two sub
iects Of foremost importance that now
occupy public attention are taxation and
ballot reform, and to the consideration
of these the Governor addresses himself
particularly.
In regard to revision Of the tax laws,
Governor Burleigh properly insists that
full, uniform and frequent valuation Is
essentisl to adequate reform OF the sys-
TEN, and he advises biennial valuation by
bipartisan State board OF assessors
He clearly points out the faultiness OF the
present plan of decennial valuations and
truly says that justice to all can be done
only by frequent adjustment OF values,
which are continually changing. His
suggestion Is pertinent, that special
lcommittee should be appointed to con-
slider this important subject. The Gov
lernor's endorsement OF the secret ballot
leaves nothing on his part to be desired.
Auburn Gazette.
Gov. Burleigh's message Is creditable
state paper that deal, with the different
departments Of Maine affairs with busi'
ness-like correctness and good sense
Much Of this magisterial review OF the
various departments Of our State gov.
eminent and institutions is necessarily OF
q routine nature, allowing small oppor.
tunity for originality OF statement or
breadth of view. But what the Govern
or has 70 say and recommend on these
points Is, on the whole, sound and well
advised. The Governor makes one strong
point In his message that is worth all the
rest put together, for 1t Is q step In ad-
vance and points the way to great re-
form. His endorsement of the Austria
llisu ballot Is genuinely thoro ugh and EN-
phatic, and cannot fall to have marked
influence In bringing about Its adoption.
Portland Press.
Governor Burleigh's address to the
|
statement, without undo length, Of the
condition Of State affairs, with recon-
mepdations Of such Legislation Is he be-
lieyes will conduce to the welfare of the
commonwealth, We commend
the message to every citizen Of the State
who 10 interested In Its welfare and pros
perity. We believe 1t will cordially CON-
mend itself to every one who reads It,
BY reason Of its clear and concise state
ment of fact, and Its wise. prudent and
conservative recommendations.
Bath Times.
The financial showing made In the
Governors address Is one In which the
people Of the State may well take pride.
The MANAGEMENT Of the great debt which
WAS on us twenty years ago, has been
such a. reflects great credit upon the
men who have handled It. But the meth
cd of State taxation, the scheme by
which the farmer and small real estate
owner IL forced TO pay . full percentage
upon ali he has, while the wealthy man
escapes with but . comparatively small
payment, Justly calls for criticism which
the Governor doesn't hesitate to make In
perfectly plain words. His recommends
are1those of practical business man
and deserve the attention they will re-
ceive.
| Portland Express.
The message is q Straightforward bust.
nesslike document and his treatment OF
the various matters of public interest
able and comprehensive. The Govern
or in treating OF the prohibitory law sen
sibly declares that while prohibition Is
heartily supported by the people. Is the
September election clearly demonstrated,
yet "there still remains much to be done
10 so educating public sentiment that II
shall everywhere insist upon the faithful
enforcement Of the law" His reference
to the industrial progress Of Maine dur
Ing the past two years Is gratifying and
encouraging.
| Biddeiord Journal.
| The benefits Of ballot reform are pre-.
sented with lncisive vigor and show the
result Of careful thought and investiga.
/ ton bestowed upon this most important
measure.
Bangor News.l
Governor Burleigh's inaugural address,
slthough somewhat lengthy document,
Ia notable for It's practical, business like
| treatment of the various topics upon
which 1t treats, and for the general tone
Of wisdom and good sense which per-
vades II.
Eastern Argus
Here he speaks out strong and bold.
1t Is . trumpet note calling the legisls-
ture to rise to their opportunity and add
Maine to the ever-growing column of
States that have enacted this great re-
form into their statute laws. May the
earnest wish of the governor on this
point, and that Of all other honest, in
telligent, fair-minded men In the State,
be not doomed to disappointment.
Probate Court.
The January term of Probate Court
was not largely attended and the amount
Of business transacted was below the aver
sge.
The accounts in the cases of Herbert
W. Edmunds of Canaan, Olive Jones of
Fairfield, Ephrsim Perkins, Sarah M.