The Portland daily press., 1895-02-28

made to meet every call. With the varied
demands made upon you for aid, you cannot
always appropriate the sum that is claimed
can be proiiably expended, but are al
times, as the representatives of the people
and acting in the interests of the state. re-
CURED to consider what sum will reasonable
meet immediate requirements; and in some
instances you may feel it your duty to con-
slider. whether the demand is SO urgent that
it cannot be postponed for future legisla-
tive action.
Il had the honor % recommend TO you at
the beginning of this session, reduction OF
the state tax for 1896 The retiring state
treasurer, who has been identified with the
management of the financial affairs of our
state for period of more than six years. in
his financial report to the Governor and
Council. says: THE tax rate of two and
one-half will, am sure. be amply sufE
for the year 1895, and, If no unusual appro-
prlations are made by this legislature, I he
tax fer 1896 can be assessed on still lower
pasis;' and the present efficient state treas
uIer entirely concurs in this opinion. That
there may be no misundersta nding as to my
views upon this point. you will permit me
to renew my Recommendation for d reduc-
ton of the state tax for the year 1896. With
S45S. l95. 50 in the treasury on the first day OF
January last larger amount than we have
had. with one exception. for very many
years, believe you will be able IL deal fair
ly and justly with every institution AID
every interest Of the state and still reach
this desired result. If excessive calls shall
be resisted. and reasonable needs made the
measure of every appropriation, it can yet
be accomplished.
ut is conceded that many demands are
now being made upon the public treasury
Never in the history of the state have the
calls been more numerous and extraor,li
nary than at The present session. II all Of
these measures, or even a major part Of
them. ealing for money are to be granted tc
the full extent claimed, the large surplus
now in the treasury will speedily disappear
taxation must be increased to meet future
expenditures, and. in the meantime. we
must avail ourselves of another temporary
loan. or embarrassment in the management
of the financial affairs of the state, by oul
treasurer. will inevitably follow. If this
grave contingency is to be avoided, re-
| srenchment in appropriations and author
iZe expenditures should commence at once
and admits of no delay.
Fully approaching the responsibility
resting upon us, and without abiding to
any particular measure or any special ap-
preparation now before you. but speaking in
the interest of the whole state, re-a firm
the suggestion contained in former CON-
munioation addressed to your honorable
bodies. that this is n OF a time for excessive
appropriations or for the enactment of ex-
9erime ntal laws. 1t will be
your duty before the session closes. to fix
the raie of taxation upon the farms and
other real and personal property of the
state. and to meet in part the expenditures
| authorized by you. The entire matter is
within your control. and the tax for state
purposes must depend upon the appropa-
lions here made AS has been frequently
demonstrated in the history of tho Iegisla-
ton of our country, the Executive is power
less without the cooperation of the legisla-
tive branch of the government. trust this
will be accorded.