Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-01-09

Text of the inaugural Address
of the New Executive.

of the New Executive.
Gentlemen Of The Senate and House Of
kepresentdfircs:
with hope and promise Of the future. we
have assembled here to consider the con
dition and requirements OF the Stste'
whose sovereign people we represent. De-
vontly grateful for the many blessings
which we have received through the be-
nefcence q Him who ever watches o vs.
guidance and aid in the discharge of the
important duties devolvilg upon us.
great prosperity vi Tor the the STATE. The devel-
opment Of new Industries, and the growth
of those already established, have given
and greatly e Increased a the population and
wealth Of those towns which have been
the centres of activity. More than I'VE
hundred and twenty-elght miles of new
steam railroads, and over two hundred and
twenty miles OF electric railroads have
been constructed, giving the communities
transportation facilities. and aiding i'm
measurably. IN the development Of those
portions OF the State thus opened up to
easy and convenient travel
Some of our shipyards, which have Tor
long time been idle or nearly so: have
again started into life. and today this IN
tion Cor years With the passage OF the
| Frye shipping bill, so ably advocated by
our distinguished Junior senator, Maine
Will assume that position In the construc-
tlon Of vessels of every kind. which the
| skill of her builders and mechanics and
her favorable situation as a maritime State
Our State has become the summer home
| of thousands of the well-to-do people Of
other sections Of the country; IA ana ann the
| ciate the health-giving qualities OF our in
| MIGRATING atmosphere, and delight In the
| rugged beauties OF our seashore and noun
tain This Ia of great
| revenue to the people of the State. In many
| ways. and Is constantly increasing.
| Names growth, though not rand, Is
| substantial and permanent in its character
| and the State never occupied stronger
| position. in every way. than 1t does to-
| while capital is active, and, as a rule.
| ceiving satisfactory returns. Every con
dition is as favorable as we can reasonably
| expect, and gives promise of continued de-
| velopment and prosperity.
State Finances.
| The reports OF the State Treasurer viii
show that the total receipts of the treas
| ury during the two years ending December
| of cash on hand December 81. 1888, was
| Sl5i7 3 -. making the whole amount
available tins period s3-sy.3ei6;,.e. The
December 81, 1901. Of shss7a.ol, hls
! obligations Immediately payable, and Is no
more than should be in the state Treas
ury, II the demands upon 1t are to be
| promptly met.
The State tax paid by the cities, towns
| and organized plantations for the years
| 1899 and 1900 amounted to ,Sl5,9o1 ,36.
| When we take from this the school fund.
and the mill tax repaid TO the various
| cities and towns. the net sum retained by
the state is found to be SI66 1853
] twenty cities of the State, $2z4,923.-
| 10 was paid by the towns and organ.
| lied plantations. and 91.G50.34 was paiG
| that the twenty cities have paid into the
| treasury $3.50, 1GS50 more ,nan tbeT have
received from the school fund. Two hun
| dred and thirty -niue towns and panta-
| lions, or A T-10 per cent. of the whole
/ number. have received from the school fund
more than they have paid into the State
! Treasury and it is found that the average
! net rate of State tax of the twenty cities
| was 81 sc 3-5 on each 100000 valuation.
while for the towns and ogga9ised doI panta
| divided on the basis of population, there
was an average OF S4.o5 IL paid on each
| poll by the cities, and of 81 "a cents on
/ each poll in the towns and organized plan
| tations.
In this connection 1t is interesting to
note the principal sources of State reve-
| nue.. outside of the State tax paid by cities
| and towns, and the amount received from
| each. An examination of the treasury ac
years the tax on SAVINGS Banks has
| amounted to $s51.566.06. the tax on Rail
roads. was s323,o5e 80, on Telegraph and
| press Companies S1O.032. 67, on Insurance
| Companies $131. 405.62, on collateral inner
| itauces S54.226 GA; on new corporations
81 5s5; other taxes and miscellaneous items,
| from these sources.
One hundred thousand dollars has been
| paid on the public debt during the past
| two years, the amount of the States bond
| ed indebtedness now being S2.103, 10000, a
| reduction of S5l6,3U0.0o since 1890.
The State has outstanding temporary
loans to the amount of $3.50, 100000, some
part of which should be paid during the
| coming year. There should be a sufficient
Increase In the state revenues to provide
| for the gradual payment of the whole
amount, and to insure al adequate balance
| in the treasury to enable the State at all
times to meet its obligations fully and
| promptly, without resorting to temporary
loans.
Taxation.
Pledged to an economical administration
of the State government, to a readjnst-
| ment of the prevailing system of taxation
| and the enactment of measures which will
lead to a more just and equitable .vaua-
! tion and assessment of all forms of prop
| erty, the people demand and expect that
| we will discharge our trust In harmony
with the letter and spirit of our respective
party platforms. No excuses which can be
| offered will be deemed a sufficient reason
for failure to do our. full duty in the
faithful fulalment of the pledges which
| rest the blame II we are recreant to our
trust ours will be the credit and honor of
faithful and devoted service. The people
have confidence in you whom they have
\ chosen to represent them here. They ex-
pect fearless conscientious discharge OF
every duty devolving upon you. and that
Won will maintain the high traditions OF
patriotic service and unselfsh effort for
the common welfare which have ever char
acterized the Legislatures of Maine.
The question of taxation is the most i'm.
nortant subject demanding your attention
The urgent necessity of securing greater
revenues for the State, to enable 1t tc
meet legitimate and necessary demands
upon the treasury and to provide for the
payment OF existing temporary loans
makes some action on your part impera
| tive.
Under onr present system. the farmer