Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-04-23

utter falseress:
UNITED STATES SENATE, !
WAsHISGToN, d. c.,
April 81, 1894.
To the Editors Of the Kennebec Journal:
see that the newspapers in Maine arc
discussing the valuation of the State, a,
shown by the United States census reports
and that the Argus and other Democratic
papers are making the point that, by the
census returns, it is shown that the valua.
ton of Maine fell off s2l zoo, 900 between
the years 1880 and 1890, under a Republi-
can protective tariff.
The full returns show very different re-
suit, and the Misrepresentation arises from
the method in which the lists Of what were
called True Valuations" for all the states
were made up under the census of 1880.
The true test, as applied not only to
Maine but to other states, is in the assessed
valuation" which was accurately taken, or
as nearly 80 as might be, in 1880 and 1890.
The census returns of assessed valuation
for Maine in 1880, showed a valuation of
1926 978,7l6. The same return, of assessed
valuation for Maine in 1890 showed a valns
ton of 5000 1919 ,l0l, an increase of S73,-
l50,385.
At the same time, in both years, the CEN
sus office made an estimate of what was
called the true valuation; but, in 1880, this
was not much better than guess work, as
will be seen by the figures, not only for
Maine but all the other states. The sums
are given under the head of true "estima-
ted" valuation and this gave the "estim ate"
simply for Maine as S5ll 900, 0C0. 1t was
undoubtedly too large, but was never
Intended to be considered more than an
estimate"
have letter from Hon. Carroll D..
Wright, acting superintendent of the CEN
sus, in which he says that, under the CEN
sus of 1890, no such guess work was re-
sorted to; but that careful inquiries we're
made, through the assessors of the different
cities, towns and plantations, and that I'M
der this method the actual valuation of
Maine, as far as it could be gathered from
such sources, was S4S9, 1874, 1873. The dif-
ference between these figures and the esti-
mate, or guess work of 1880, is what has
given rise to the statement that Names val
nation has fallen off, in the last ten years,
more than So ,000,0
Setting i le what is an estimate of true
valuation, the real test is found in tn, ac-
curate valuation, which is the assessed val
uaton of the two years. The real valua-
ton is, of course, much larger in each year,
but unless the same method of estimating
that could be applied, both to 1880 and
1890, any estimate would be misleading, as
sfOrdinga comparison of the valuation of
the State at the two periods.
The work done by our own State Off
cials shows the same result. The valua-
ton, by the State assessors, in 1880, WAS
S23j, 97S ZIG; in 1890 it was $500, O9G OIL,
and, as showing the increase every year, in
1892 it was $3li $50. 1871, showing a grad
ual and constant increase in taxable prop
erty.
Other figures give unanswerable proof
tn 1t the statement that the valuation and
prosperity Of the State were less in 1890
than in 1880 is not true. Our savings
bank deposits, in 1880 were S23, PIT $50 SO;
in 1890, 1871, l66.90, gain of S2i, 503,-
49l. In 1891 they had increased to $50
27S, 45244; in 1892 to So, 1897 ,949. is:
and it is only, under the business depres-
sion, caused by the threat of the Wilson
taiif bill, that slight falling off is shown
in 1898, the total deposits of that year
being little less than those of 1892.
The capital invested in the manufacture
of textile fabrics, alone, in 1880, was 3d.
33S ,906, and in 1890 this had increased to
S305i0 ,097.
The pulp industry, in which so much
money has been invested, has been built up
almost entirely since 1890. and in all parts
OF the State there are undoubted proofs of
large increase in valuation between 1880
and 1890.
The official census bulletin No. 1862, en-
titled Finances of Maine" under date of
February ID, 1892, in its summary of re-
suits, has the following:
cit will be seen that within the period
shown there has been an increase in the
value of real estate Of $50, Os9 $40, or "a Sc
per cent, while personal property
has increased within the period
Sl3,060,545 or 81 02 per cent. OF the total
increase St3,200, 237 has been in cities and
towns having a population of $500 or up
ward, and $40 $50, las in places having less
than 2500. OF the real estate the value has
increased, in the former class, $32 ,499, $40
or 3G.63 per cent, and in the latter class
s27 ,5S9 ,9Gl, or 32.4l per cent. While the
valuation has increased during the decade,
there has been at the same time a decrease
In taxation in the total for all purposes,
State, county and local, from S., 1872 ,135,
In 1880, to 81 922 ,S5S in 1890, or $3.50 ,277,
ABOUT per cent. or per capita reduction
from $3.50 to S7.45."
The truth is that there has been regu-
lar, steady increase in the valuation of
Maine from 1850 to the present time, and
The census returns themselves show the fol-
lowing figures of assessed taxable valua-
tons for the different years: 1860. Sl5i.-
SS0,3sS; 1870, S20i,253, $50; 1880, $780,
9'S,7l6; 1890, 5000, l29, l0l.
The whole misapprehension and contro-
ser'y sri'e from what is called in the GEN.
sus report the true valuation of S5ll,0O0,-
ooo In 1880, which was really nothing but
guess work, based upon the assessed or
taxable valuation, which showed an increase
OF 50 ,i24,9S6 over 1870, but SIS, $50. 1856
ess than 1890. IVA
l have thought it well to give YOU these
neures and statements, although am GER
tam that no man living in Maine for the
last 10 Yeas, whatever may be his politics,
II ne has travelled over the State and OBJ
served the conditions of the people, can
have had any doubt that Maine is con-
stan'iy increasing in property and in pros
perity, as | am sure the State will continue
10 90 IN the fUtura unlaca ap, .rJ