The Portland daily press., 1895-01-04

means. a "a proportion of the burdens
necessary fo- defence, for the support OF our
institutions, and for any other public purpose.
1t is recognized, that taxation does not ssways
fall with perfect equality upon every c-tlzen.
1t will be found difficult to devise system
that in it's practical operation, will accomplish
this desirable result. AS stated by dlstan-
guished chief justice of the United States SUI
preme court; Absolute equality IN taxatlon
can never be attained. That System IS best
which comes the nearest to it, The same rules
cannot be applied to the listing and valuation
of all kinds of property; railroads, panhs'
partnerships, manufacturing associations,
telegraph companies, and each one OF the
numerous agencies of business which the IN
ventions of the age are constantly bringing
into existence, require different machinery
for the purposes of their taxation"
Before any radical changes shall be MADE IN
our methods of valuation and taxation, 1t Will
be the duty of the Legislature to give the sub
ject the most careful and exhaustive lnvestlga-
ton considering in advance the effect OF any
proposed laws. 1t has been the policy In the
past, to pursue a course of legislation ON thls
question that would promote and advance the
agricultural, the industrial, the commercial
and mechanical interests of the State. A policy
that would invite capital to aid in the develop
mel1t of our great resources, and not repel IL
or drive it from us. Let thorough investlga-
tion deliberation and conservatism, with
due regard for the best interests OF the State
govern your efforts upon this topic.
The reportSf the State Board of Assessors
calls to your attention the propriety OF amend
ing our laws relating to the taxation OF several
classes of property; Of amending the law re-
lating to taxation of collateral 1nherlSanceS,
and urges greater uniformity in assessors
books. The recommendations made by the
State Board involve no radical legislation, and
are in harmony with the wise policy hereto
fore pursued by the State.
Agriculture.
When we consider that there are slxty-1ve
thousand farms in Maine, containing 6,5o2,57S
acres, and Of an estimated cash value OF SlO3,-
557 615, producing farm products in 1888 OF the
value Of more than twenty two million dollars,
we can fully appreciate that this great interest
should never have secondary place in our eff
forts to advance the prosperity OF the Com
monwealth.
The State Board of Agriculture, organized
and endowed for the purpose OF holding FAR
mers' institutes. has been unusually successful
in its work, and its meetings have been more
fully attended during the past two years, and
greater interest has been manifested than ever
before. We have two State Agricultural Socie-
ties, one State Pathological Society, and over
fifty county and town agricultural societies,
paying out annually moVS than $75,Uoo IN pre-
miums. Throughout the state, organizations
of the Grange are q1ickening the public mlnd,
and inaugurating advanced and improved
methods in agriculture, which Will surely LEAD
to higher prosperity, and more productive fe-
suits to the husbandman.
The Secretary Of the State Board informs me,
that at no time since he became familiar with
our agriculture, has it shown such unmlstali-
able signs of progress as are now apparent.
While during the past year many branches OF
business have been depressed, in agriculture 1t
has been year of more than usual productive
ness.
A good market, easy of access by rail or
convenient roads, is one of the important ele
ments in the advancement of the farming in
terests Of the State and continued harmonious
combination of effort on the part OF our indus
trial. agricultural and other interests, will b.
beneficial to all.
The investment of capital in the develop
ment of our vast waterways, the erection o.
new mills and manufactures, the creation OF
new industries, opening up wider field fol-
the employment of labor, viii create new
homes, build up communities, and establish a
permanent home market for the products OF
the farm. Diversified industry will encourage
our agricultural progress and make ue
stronger, greater and more powerful as o
State. All of these important interests, upon
which the well being and prosperity OF SO many
people depend, should have a full measure OF
attention at you hands.
The protection of the live stock of Maine