The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-01-06
COY. PowERs,s ADDRESS.

Gov. Powerss second message to the
Legislature Is long as glance at our
pages will show. 1t must be rememb ered
however, that the past year has fur
nished more than usual TO talk about.
There has been war and Maine has sert
troops to the front-or part way. A re-
view of Ma ines part in this conflict was
essential, and this could not be adequately
made without occupying considerable
space.
The financial condition of the state &C.
cupies the leading place in the address, a
position which its importance fairly en-
titles it to. The Governor hopes that 1t
Will not be found necessary to raise any
additional money by taxation, and thinks
it won't be if the appropriations are sharp
u scrutinized But if more money is
needed he hopes it will be provided by
discovering new sources of taxation
rather than by raising the rate of the
general state tax. He condemns
exemption from taxation as unwise and
unfair, inasmuch as it necessarily tends to
increase the burdens on property that is
not exempted; and insists that all persons
and all kinds of property should bear
their equitable share of the public bur-
deDs. The governor does not,
however, outline any plan BY
which this equalization of burdens can
b brought about leaving that to the wis
dom of the legislature.
The receipts of the treasury during the
past two years have been from all sources,
except loans. IS, 254, 042. 9S and the expen-
ditures including 500, 600 paid in reduo-
ton of the public debt So. 452, $40. SO. At
the close of the year 1896 there was in the
state treasury the sum of sos. 500 bS. AT
the close of the year 1888 there was in
the treasury the sum of 1854, 723 20. This
balance is more fictitious than real, how
ever. as it must soon be paid out, nearly
all OF il being due to the various towns
on account of the school fund. There is
included in this statement none of the
liabilities incurred for the money used in
equipping the troops, yet the governor is
confident that 1t will be found that we
have not incurred any large debt over
and above the sum due from the general
government, which is about $685. The
governor thinks every dspartm emit OF the
state government is conducted with
judicious economy, yet there is a tendency
to increase expenses in all, which is In
evitabls in view Of the new demands con-
stAntly put upon them.
The Governor rehearses at considerable
length Maine's part in the Spanish war
and the difficulties that were encountered
in raising and equipping troops. The
total number Of officers and men fur
nished under tho first call was ll77, and
the grand total that served in the infantry
aud battery organizations under both calls
was 1916 officers and men. Other organic
ations. such as the signal corps and three
batteries Of artillery under the second call
swelled the total of Names contribution
to the land forces Of the United States to
l7i7 officers and men. The total number
OF deaths while in the service was 5S
officers and men-a much smaller number.
we think, than has been the common i'm
preston. On bis own responsibility Gov.
Powers promised the volunteers that they
should have the bounties voted 10 volun-
teers Of the war Of the rebellion under the
act of April, 1861 and the bounty was
paid them. Gov. Powers's experience in
raising and preparing troops convinces
him that there should be some radical
changes In our militia law. Hereafter
companies of the National Guard should
companies of the United States army, the