Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-28

nearly, if not equal, the entire estiiii"OSu
income of the State for the present yes''
and the surplus in the treasury -,
| Our estimated net income for $780, WI,
be comparatively tie same as that VI
1895, 81, All, 21S. If the large surplus now
| in the treasury should be exhausted w
the appropriations for 1895, there wiz
necessarily be large deficit when tne
next Legislature shall convene in 1917.
1t has been the policy of The state TO nase |.
in its treasury reasonable amount u
money at the commencement OF the year
During the past five years the following
balances have been in the treasury Oh
the first day of January of each year:
1901 s175 466 l.
1909 I,9. Cos 81
isS9' 3Oi Soy o.
,saa &c., Ga
1895, 4oo, $50 q
The receipts of the State treasury were
largely increased during the years 1898
BIZ the receipt of more than $3.50, 900, on
account of overdue State taxes. Increased
revenue from this particular source Will
not be available in 1856. During the
present year, by reason of a reduction of
the State tax, our receipts from that
source will also be reduced SIS, All. 81
W
1895 and 1896, to rely upon our present
surplus and our ordinary receipts to meet
| the expenditures authorized at this session
of the Legislature.
recognize that it is for you to consider
where necessary appropriations end and
where excessive appropriations begin.
| The line may be narrow, but 1t neverthe-
less exists | assure you it is not my
purpose to trench a single hair S breadth
upon the authority conferred by the con-
stitution and laws on the Legislature. ]
| appreciate that it is for you to investigate
| the actual needs of the State, and of her
| bencficent educational, charitable and
| other institutions. Appropriations can
not always be made to meet every call.
With the varied demands made upon
you for aid, you cannot always appropriate
! the sum that is claimed ian be profitably
expended, but arc at times, as the represen'
tatiyes of the people, and acting in the in
terests of the State, required to consider
| what sum will reasonably meet immedi-
ate requirements; and in some instances
you may feel it your duty to consider,
whether the demand is SO urgent that it
cannot be postponed for future legislative
action.
| had the honor to recommend to you
| at the beginning of this session, Il reduc-
ton of the State tax for 1896. The retir-
ing State treasurer, who has been identi-
fled with the management of the finan-
cial affairs of our State for period OF
more than six years, in his final report
to the Governor and Council, says: 1.-The
tax rate of . y mills will, l am sure, be
amply sufficient for the year 1895, and, il
no unusual appropriations are made Dy
this Legislature, the tax for 1886 can be
assessed on a still lower basis and the
present efficient State treasurer entirely
concurs in this opinion. That there may
be no misunderstanding as to my views
upon this point, you will permit me to re
new nv recommendation for reduction
of the State tax for the year 1896. With
$45s 1875. 50 in the treasury on the first
day of January last.a larger amount than
we have had, with one exception, for very
many years, believe you will be able tt
deal fairly and justly with every institu
ton and every interest of the State. anc
still reach this desired result. If exces
siye calls shall be resisted, and reasonable
needs made the measure of every appro
priation, it can yet be accomplished.
1t is conceded that many demands arr
now being made upon the public treasury
Never in the history of the State have the
calls been more numerous and extraordi
nary than at the present session. If al
of these measures, or even Il major par
of them calling for money, are to bt
granted to the full extent claimed, the
large surplus now in the treasury viii
speedily disappear, taxation must he in
f,,t
in the meantime, we must avail our
selves of another temporary loan, or EN-
barrassmcnt in the management of thu
financial affairs of the State, by YOU
treasurer, will inevitably follow. II this
grave contingency is to be avoided, re
trenchment in appropriations and author
lied expenditures should commence a
once and admits of no delay.
Fully approaching the responsibility
resting upon u.s. and without alluding tt
any particular measure or any special APP
preparation now before you, but speaking
in the interests of the whole State, l re
affirm the suggestion contained in
former communication addressed to You
honorable bodies, that this is not a tim
for excessive appropriations, or for th
enactment of experimental laws
1t will be your duty, before the session
Closes to fix the rate of taxation upol
the farms and other real and persona
property of the State, to meet in part the
expenditures authorized by you. The en-
tire matter is within your CONTROL an,
; the tax for State purposes must depent
upon the appropriations here made A
} has been frequently demonstrated in tn
history of the legislation of our country
: the Exccutiv, is powerless without the CO
operation of the Legislative branch of tn
, government. | trust this will be accorded
HENRY B. CLEAVES.
STATE OF MAINE.
Trcasurer's Office,
Augusta, Feb. 26, 1895.
To His Exccllency, the Governor o
Maine: