The Portland daily press., 1897-01-08

very desirable that there should be at all
times at least $10o,0O0.0o to properly carry
on it's business. The expenditures have
exceeded the receipts during the past two
years by the large sum of more than
$3.50, 10000. This has resulted solely from
the largely increased appropriations
which the last Legislature deemed ad-
yisable to- make, and from reduced rates
of taxation.
The same ratio of receipts and expen-
ditures for the years 1897 and 1898 would
create a deficit of more than $100, 10000.
But there is one other important fact %
be considered. The receipts for the year
1897 from direct taxation will probably be
some $50, 000.CJ less than they We're in 1895
or 1896, as the tax levied and assessed for
1se6 is two and one-fourth mills instead of
two and one-half mills. which was the
rate in 1894 and 1895. The tax assessed for
anv wear is not, to any considerable
amount, collected or paid into the treas
urv until the following year. Hence the
decrease in the amount to be received in
the year 1871
IT is my deliberate judgment that, in
q time of profound peace, we cannot af-
ford to be continually, year after year,
running in debt or having our expendi-
trres exceed our receipts and thus Great
ing a constantly increasing deficit, to be
tided over by temporary loans or funded
into more permanent ones.
We have arrived at point where it is
knneratiye that our expenditures must
Se brought within our income.
1t is possible that this Legislature may
he able to find some sources from which
to derive revenue other IMAM those which
we now have; but at present l am unable
TO designate or recommend any other way
than by increasing the ratio of direct tax
alton. .
can be no doubt that we must restore the
one-fourth mill. which was taken off for
1896 from the rate, and assess two and one
half mills for the years 1887 and 1893:
This will be returning to the rate Of 1894
and 1885, and as undoubtedly every dollar
of the peoples money which shall be thus
raised will be appropriated to their ne.
cessties and respond to well-def1ned and
pressing public need; as it is clear that a
most wise and rigid economy imperatlVely
calls for It: am confident that the tax
payers will not seriously complain OF thls
increase.
But should we raise the rate beyond
two and one-half mills / fear 1t might
subject US to adverse criticism, and per-
haps to the. charge of extravaganza.
People are very sensitive to marked
increase of taxation unless there is some
unusual public exigency demanding It:
1t is obvious then to my mind that there
must and should be..a reduction in the
amounts Appropriated by you, as COM
pared with two years ago, OF near $lzo,-
10000 per annum.
how and where this reduction or saving
can be made without Gripping or doing
serious injury to any State institution OF
worthy object of State aid.
First you must scrutiniZe every meas
ure which will open new avenues to the
treasury or create additional expenses,
and allow none to pass unless their use
fulness and immediate necessity is plain
and urgent
Second, you must, in the exercise OF a
sound discretion and wise economy, grant az
all cases where the State is bound to pro-
vide in whole or in part.
There were many sums, most OF them
not very LARGE, but amounting TO con-
siderable in the aggregate, all indeed Tor
very worthy and deserving objects, appro-
priated by the Legislature Of 1895, which
perhaps you may deem advisable under
our changed conditions and existing cir
cumstances, not to continue, and there
were other larger sums which you may
decide to cut down to somewhat nearer
the amount which has formerly been ex-
pended for like purposes
My experience in legislation leads me to
believe that all or nearly all of the inst1-
tutionS and objects, that have hereto
fore received aid, will return to each sue
ceeding Legislature generally asking Tor
increased appropriations.
To comply with all these requests, how
ever plausible may be the reasons as
signed for SO doing by their advocates,
would soon bankrupt the treasury.
You in your judgment will doubtless be
able to decide correctly when and where
to cut Gown and curtail or refuse alto
gether.
/ have felt it my duty to call your atten
ton to the actual financial condition, and
to suggest generally what rules should
guide you in dealing with this subject,
rather than to specify or enumerate any
particular institution or object where re-
trenchment should be made.
What 1 have said, however, do not IN
tend shall apply to any sums necessary
port our school system which we do and
should foster with no grudging hand, or
to provide or care for the unfortunate,
insane: or dependent pensioners OF the
It is the imperative duty of this State
to see to it that no old soldier. or per-
son Immediately dependent upon him. SUI
fers from want in his declining years.
To do this is not to bestow. aims; but
rather to recognize and discharge a
sacred obligation which we owe to those
whose valor saved the republic, and
which, from our wealth and resources,
we can willingly and cheerfully pay.
You will therefore make such an appro-
priation for the State pension bureau as
its necessities shall call for.
SCHOOLS.
The educational interests of our State
are of paramount importance, and should
be properly and literally provided for.
The perpetuity and stability of our re-
arabIy connected with, and dependent
upon. the general intelligence and en-
lightened PATRIOTISM of our citizens.
Every consideration of duty and safety
imperatively demand that all shall have
q reasonable opportunity, free of charge,
to acquire at least a common school edu-
cation.
Though the facilities for obtaining in
our common schools an elementary and
practical education are indeed very good,
and doubtless improving each year, they
do not fully satisfy or respond to the
wants of a large number of students
who have the time, the desire. and the
ability to pursue more thorough and eX-
tended course of study.
In response to this demand, the State
has wisely created free high school sys--
tenn, and also established three normal
schools, one in Pennington, one in Cor
ham and one in Castine. 1 am confident
that very excellent results have been OBJ
tanned from these high and normal
schools.
We have also changed from what was
known as the district to the town system
In many larger towns and cities the
change was voluntary. In others the act
Of the Legislature in 1888 compelled the
change. There have been frequent
changes in the method Of teaching, text
books, and manner of supervising our
common schools, sene of which, it seems
to me, have been largely experimental;
but on the whole they may have produced
some beneficial results, yet the State su-
perintendent, and many other gentlemen,
who are deeply interested in education,