Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-01-28
Mr.. PARSONS SPEECH
Putting Hon. Hall c. Burieigh in Nomina-
tion for State Assessor.

In accordance with the wishes of {
number of our readers we present in ful
the able and eloquent speech, in whcl
Representative W. f. Parsons, Of Foxcroft
put Hon. Hall C. Burleigh in nomination
for State assessor. 1t was some time
after its delivery before it was Transcribed
from the short hand notes, and the
pressure of the official reports has still
further delayed its publication. We are
glad that, owing to the legislative ad
journment we have today, an oppor.
tunity to give it in full:
Gus
assume that it is conceded by all that
the office of State assessor, passing as ii
does, upon the varied industries and pro-
perty of the entire State, is an important
one.
And that position 80 closely connected
with the great industries of Maine should
engage the attention, not. alone of any
particular town or city, but of every tax
payer within her borders.
In this selection of candidates for that
position the State has been divided into
Two sections, Eastern and Western Maine
In 1891, the legislative caucus, nominat
ing for the first time members of that
board, agreeing unanimously that all
that part of the State lying east of the
kenncbcc river should be regarded as
Eastern Maino The Legislature of 1893
again ratifying that by electing, by an
overwhelming majority, the present in
cumbent whose term of office is about TO
expire, and whose home is In the town
of Vassalboro; recognizing the fact that
he was as much u representative Of Eas
tern Maine as though his home was in the
more Eastern section Of the State.
full term for that office was fixed by
the Legislature at six years, they recog-
nizing thereby the importance of the office
and the great value of experience. Mr..
Burloigh, the present incumbent whose
term of office is about to expire, was ap-
pointed by the Governor upon the death
of Mr. Gilman of Bangor until the Legis
lature of 1898 met, and then elected tC fill
out the unexpired term of Mr.. Gilman,
and now having served on that board
less than onehalf term, by party usage
is honestly entitled to. what l believe this
Legislature with great unanimity will
gladly accord him, reelection or a full
term of six years.
1t is admitted by all that Mr.. Burleigh
has been an exceedingly efficient and faith
full officer, fair and impartial assessor
dischargirg the duties of that office with
marked ability.
Mr.. Bureigh also stands upon that
nf thr gpplf
agricultural interests of the State, and
whether regarded in his official capacity,
or as a private citizen, is certainly grand
representative of the improved, progress
sivc agriculture of Maine.
Mr., Burleighs life work in that respect
is too well known to the people of Maine
to need any comments by me. Born and
reared on rocky farm in southern SOM
erset, without any capital TO start in life
save stout heart and willing hands, he
early saw the needs of the State in
improved agriculture and better class OF
stock and while yet young man, in 1888
began the importation of cattle OF great
value to tie State. His success was such
that in 1879 he became partner with the
late Governor Bodwell and Mr. Bodwell,
with his great and successful experience
in this State and others, said of Mr. Bur
leigh. as has previously been quoted, He
was the best Judge of values | Lever knew.
And Mr. Burleigh, by his own sgreat en-
er1y carried on the largest and most mn
portant business of importing, breeding
and sale of blooded stock that New Eng
land has ever known; and he selected,
bourht and imported more thorough bred
cattle than any man in the United states.
concentrating at one time the greatest
nrivate sale of such stock ever made IN
the world amounting to nearly sloo, ooo.
He has made agriculture study for
life time. not only in this country but
others in Great Britain, other Kingdoms
of Europe and isles of the sea, and no man
in America is today better posted ON I'M
moved methods of agriculture and along
those lines than he.
And he has always been ready to impart
his knowledge to .he people, both IN pup
lie audience and in private conversation,
until the name of Hall c. Burleigh mas
became A household word among the
formers of Maine His work will remain
ard the Ssatc receive the beneiit OF MS
labors long after more assuming men
have been forgotten
He has made the subj ,ct OF taxation
study for more than twenty Years. When
he accepted the position on the board ne
gaye up nearly all his private business, so
ne Ia devote his undivided attention to
the duties OF the office. Since that time
H., has been in constant touch with part
;ns Interested in all the varied industries
Of tho State in this Office aud in conven-
t;ons in all the counties, and in all places
where taxpayers arc found. And of the
vnluc of experience the Legislature well
knew when they fixed a single term at
six years. -