Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-04
THE ADDRESS
CONTINUED from page 50

cult Of Interpretation or comprehension, fooes
to the people for fire insurance have eontinu
ally increased, fire losses are multiplying, ano
during the past two years. fourteen hre In
sura,ce companies, representing capital W
more than five million dollars, have discon
tinued their business in Maine and wIthdra"H
from the State. 1t Is estimated that the anhi1@
fire waste to our State Is two mfll1on doilar7
This destruction Of values IL Of serious conse
qucnce to the material interests OF the state
Numerous measures have been adopted by sew
eral states with good results, tending 70 70
d1ce this vast and unnatural destruction Oh
property, and securing to the assured cheaIeI
rates ard absolute indemnity for loss. Ins
time has arrived when sufficient protection
against fire cannot be obtained by orr people,
in sound insurance companies authorized 10 dc
business in our State.
The subject requires the careful attention
and thought Of the Legislature; and call yotI
consideration to the suggestions OF the Insur
rance Commissioner, who has gwen the matter
much in yestigation, and trust you VIII ap
proach the questions involved with the great
est fairness, recognizing the Importance to oui
people Of sufficient and sound insurance at fan
rates
Shipping.
American ships for the American merchant
marine, will aid ship building industry
give encouragement to American ingenuity
and skin, employment to our labor, and pre-
serve our independence az nation. Weshoulo
neither be dependent upon foreign nations foi
our navy nor for the ships comprising our iner
chant marine Maine has occupied a con
gticuous position in the building Of the Arncri'
can navy and the first steel sailing snip BUN
in America was launched the past year, from
I. Maine ship yard, Fearing the proud motto OF
our State. It is confidently asserted by many
Of our leading ship builders and ship owners,
that If our Government shall retain Tor TINS
industry the protection accorded by our wlsd
Il. Ffsf.E
be producing - much iron and steel tonnage
as she has heretofore Of wood.
We may well view with alarm the proposed
free admission to American registry Of ships
built in foreign countries for it must be detri.
mental to our State, and to- the shipping and
business interests OF its citizens.
An expression from tbs Legislature to the
Congress Of the United States upon a subject
so vital to the State, will be appropriate.
In this connection allow me to call your at
tention to the method OF taxation applicable 10
shipping. A comparison Of the taxes levied
by our State, with those levied by the leading
maritime nations of the world and some OF the
states of the American Union upon this in
dustry will impress upon you the proprlety OF
placing this great interest on an equality with
similar property in other localities, and thus
enable our ship owners to meet the competi'
ton which lower rates of taxation IN those
communities afford.
The National Guard. ..
Icommend the National Guard for its excel
lenee and efficiency. Recognizing the impor'
tancc of placing tho military organizations OF
the State on n more permanent basis, tho
Legislature Of 1893, authorized the Governortc
appoint II comniissi on to revise and consolidate
the laws relating to our military forces. Tho
commission appointed consisted OF General
Seldom Conner, General John Marshall Brown,
General Samuel D. Leavitt, General Winfield
s. Choate and Colonel Victor BRETT the result
of their faithful and valuable services is en-
bodied in the provisions of Chapter 2j5 OF the
Public Laws Of 1888.
There has been practically reorganization
during the past two years, and the National
Guard now consists of two regiments OF infan'
try of eleven companies each. The law con
templates that each regiment shall be com
posed of not less than twelve companies; but
this desirable object could not be accomplished
without exceeding the appropriation, which
was not deemed advisable A successful
eampment was held at Augusta, in August
list, highly creditable to the officers, the men
and to the State.
Captain Charles B. Hall Of the United States
Army was detailed / y the Secretary OF WAR
for duty in the State, and rendered three
months efficient service. In his report to the
War Department he gives deserved recogni'
tim of the great Improvement in the Natonai
Guard during the past two years.
The military organization is composed of
active and intelligent young me n, devoted to
the service. and is entitled TO thu support of
the State.
/ rccommond that the regular appro priation
for tho support of this branch of the service
be made equal TO onetcnth IF mill the
valuation. instead of one, twelfth, rs now pro-
vided An increase in the appropriation for
military purposes viii b. necessary If We are
to maintain an efficient National Guard.
While we rely upon the Intelligence and
sound judgment OF the people OF Maine to
preserve good order and the public peace,
yet, should amy unfortunate conditions arise,
demanding the services of armed troops wa
should be prepared to act promptly and effect
lively. Tho National Gnard of Maine can be
relied upon in any emergency.
The able report Of tho Adiutant General,
will give you complete Information of the
condition of this important organization.
The Veteran Soldiers.
During the years that have interviewed since
the close of tho great conflict for the preserva-
ton of the Union, the soldiers Of Maine who
participated in that struggle, their widows and
orphans, in their hour of need, have had the
protecting care of the State Tho people arc
still loyal TO the assurances then given, and
will continue To recognizes tho services rcn.
dered and the sacrifices made by those gallant
men The usual appropriation for this pur'
pose for the past few years has been from sixty
thousand 10 sixty-iive thousand dollars
officers OF the various cities and towns of the
State, under the direction and supervision of
the Governor and Council and the Pension
Agent
From my observation during the past two
years in the disbursement of this sum, doubt
if any appropriation of an equal amonnt made
by the Legislature, serves more useful and
deserving purpose, j. relieves the homes OF
many of the unfortunate from want, and
numerous households from suffering. Nd
vancing age and bodily infirmities have caused
an increased demand upon this fund for the
past two years, and some urgent and n,eritor,
ious calls could not be favorably answered.
therefore recommend an increase in the APP
preparation of five thousand dollars. for each
of the years 1895 and 1896,
The State has declared that it will bear the
necessary burial expenses of every destitute
citizen of hers, who served in the army, navy
or marine corps of the United States, during
the rebellion and was honorably discharged.
The present statute requires the Legislature
to Inappropriate the necessary money therefor
The sum now devoted to this purpose is in
sufficient, and 1 recommend an annual in
crease of one thousand dollars, in the appro-