Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-04

Of all kinds Of property; railroads, banlSs'
partnerships, manufacturing associauonA
telegraph companies, and each enc % sno
numerousagencies of business wfcn tne III
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, II VIII
be the duty of the Legislature TO give the SUD
ject the most careful and exhaustive investiga-
ton, considering in advance the effect OF any
proposed laws. 1t has been the poilcy III the
past, TO pursue q course of legislation on TINS
question that would promote and advance 'he
agricultural, the industrial. the commereiai
and mechanical interests of the State A poIlcy
that would invite ca tai to aid IN the develop
ment of our great Resources, and not rep.l II
or drive il from us. Let thorough hVesusa
ton, deliberation and conservatism, with a
due regard for the best interests OF the STATE
govern your efforts upon this topic.
The report of the State Board OF Assessors
sails to your attention the proprlety OF amend
ing our laws relating to the taxation OF several
classes of property; of amending the law re-
Eating to taxation of collateral lnherltances,
and urges greater uniformity In assessors
books. The recommendations made py 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 sixty five
thousand farms III Maine, containing o,o)>'oio
acres, and of an estimated cash value OF slO!
557 ,6l5, producing farm products IN 1875 OF the
value of more than twenty-tw 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 lar
mers' institutes. has been unu 5ually 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.
paving ont annually more than $4,000 in pre-
miums. Throughout the state, organizations
of the Grange are quickening the public mind,
and inaugurating advanced and improved
methods in agriculture, which will surely lead
to a higher prosperity, and more productive re
suits to the husbandman.
The Secretary of the State Board informs me-,
that at no time since he became familiar witt
our agriculture has it shown such unmistak
able signs of progress are now apparent.
While during the past year many branches oil
business have been depressed, in agriculture It
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 advanc -ment 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 be
beneficial to all.
The investment of capital in the develop
ment of our vast waterways, the erection OF
new mills and manufactures, the creation OF
new industries, opening up a wider field fol
the employment of labor viii create new
homes, build up communities, and establish 4
permanent home market for the products oil
the farm. Diversified industry will encourage
our agricultural progress and make u,
stronger, greater and more powerful as i
State. All of these important interests, upon
which the well being and prosperity of so man.
people depend, should have q full measure oil
attention at you hands.
The protection of the live stock of Mains
against contagious disease is of great i'm
portance, and any neglect of this duty may en-.
tail upon the owners very large losses The
appropriation for this purpose for the past
few years has been insufficient to meet the eN
penditureS that Were necessary to properly
guard this interest and fully protect the pub
lie health. The sum appropriated having beer
exhausted in July last, the Governor and Conn
Gil authorized the Commissioners to expend an
additional sum of 5000 in carrying forward
their necessary work, which amount has been
paid from the treasury.
We are now appropriating large sums OF
money to protect our fish and game, and GER
tainly we should not neglect to make an ade.
quate appropriation for the protection of our
herds and flock.
Education
Education is the great bulwarl1 of defense
stronger than standing armies and the most
powerful navies. 1t directs public sentiment
in the paths of peace, right and justice is tn /
foundation of pure and good government, and
the enemy of wrong aud oppression. The
organic law of the State recognizes that q
general diffusion of the advantages of edu
cation, is essential to the preservation of thu
rights and liberties of the people.
A State tax of one mill on dollar is annually
assessed for the support of or common
schools. In addition to this, one-half of tn
savings bank tax is devoted to the sans
purpose as well as the interest thu
permanent school fund.- making the aggre
gate amount appropriated by the STATE
for common school purposes for the school
year ending April /, 1895. S5il,599.l4 There
is deducted from this fund an approprir
ton of $500 for teachers meetings, nor
NAL and training schools. The balance of $5l4,
800 l. is distributed among the several cities,
towns and Plantations by the State Treas
urer according to the number of scholari
as the same shall appear from the Off
cial returns made to the Superintendent OF
Common Schools, for the preceding year. In
1884, two hundred and eighty-tive towns and
plantations received from the State a large:
amount in the form of school money than their
entire state tax the cities and larger towns
contributing to this fund.
The State has also expended during the past
year, s91 $40 for free high schools, academies,
industrial schools and other educational pur-
poses. The entire expenditure for the school
year, from State and municipal funds, for our
common schools, We're Sl5Jl ,lS); and from the
same sources the sum of S251 ,2JI has been ex-
pended for free high schools and other educa-
tional work, making grand total for the year
of 81 ,3s7. II is proud record of devotion
to our common schools, and they should be
sust aimed and guarded by our people for the
future honor and greatness of our state.
The valuable and interesting report of III
State Superintendent of Schools will be pre-
sented to the Legislature.
The superior educational advantages OK our
colleges and other advanced institutions of
learning have received deserved recognition
from all sections of our country. Our normal
schools. academies and free high schools are
aiding in our educationa! progress a peo-
pie and theirs is a grand example of success
full work.
In this connection it is my duty to call your
attention to the demands for an additional
school building at the State Normal School In
4 ys~a.,