The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-01-04
GOV. HILL.
Text OF the Inaugural Address
of the New Executive.

Al tbe dawn Of a new century, bright
with hope and promise OF the Iutnre' w
ssys assembled ssIs to II the state
whose sovereign people We represent. ne.
voutly grateful tor the many blessings
which we have received through the be-
neiicence Of Him who ever watches over
us with fatherly care, We implore, ~ ~
guidance and aid in the discharge Oh the
Important duties devolVing upon Us.
The decade just passed has been one OF
great prosperity for the State: The deve,-
opment Of pew industries. and the sro,w rsn
OF those already established, have given
employment TO large Plumbers OF peopIe;;
and greatly increased the population ana
S espt % th ~ .aTR More than ve
hundred and twenty eight miles OF new
steam railroads and over two hundred ana
been constructed. giving the communities
through which they pass greatly improteo
transportation facilities. and aiding n iul,
portions Of the State thus opened up TO
easy and convenient travel.
Some q our RI. shRGysds v wSlsH so haTs
again started into life, and today this IN
dhstry Is In the most satisfactory condi-
ton for years WIN me , pa s5x9cated ' by
our distinguished Junior senator, Maine
will assume that position In the construc-
tion Of vessels of every kind, which the
skill Of her builders end mechanics and
her favorable situation as a maritime state
entitle her TO hold. -
Of thousands of the well-to-do people OF
other sections OF the country, and- tine
pleasure resort of many more. VINO apptre'
ciate the health giving qualities OF our IN
MIGRATING atmosphere and delight In the
rugged beauties Of our seashore and noun
tain scenery This is source Of II g g5eas
ways and Is constantly increasing.
Names growth though not rapid Us
substantial and permanent m us en srcnrsr
position in every way, than IL does 70
day. Labor is remunerativey employed
while cauital is active and as rule, re-
ceiyinr satisfactory returns. Every con
dition is as favorable as we can reasonably
EXPECT and gives promise of continued de-
yelopment and prosperity
state Finances.
The reports OF the State Treasurer will
show that the total receipts OF the treas
ury during the two years ending December
81. 1890. were s3,7ss.923o9. The amount
Of cash on hand December 81, 1893. was
$l54.7-3 %. making the whole amount
available for this period ssaS,t4sse. The
amount dlsbnrsed during this time was
December 81, 1901 Of sisss7eol. This
sum. however, Is barely sufficient to meet
obligations Immediately, payable. and Is no
more than should he in the State Treas
ury. Ii the demands upon II are to be
The State tax maid by the cities, towns
and organized plantations for the years
1899 and 1900 amounted to SIS .9ol 30.
and the mill tax repaid 10 the various
cities and towns. The net sum retained by
the State is found to be $3.50; I42.63.
of this $3.50 1850 was paid by the
twenty cities OF the State S224.923--
20 was paid by the towns and organ.
lied plantations, and S9l ,63u34 was paid
thar the twenty cities have paid into the
treasury $3.50 $50 more tnan they have
received from the sheo io fund and dW os hga
tions. or "A RIO 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 tities
was $1.56 S-5 on each Si0o0W valuation.
while for the towns and organized planta-
fions the average rate was GO . cents, or,
divided on thes basis Of population, there
was an average OF sos X paid on eaeh
poll by the cities and Of 81 "a cents on
each poll in the towns and organized plan
In This connection It 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
counts shows that during the past two
years the tax on Savings Banks has
amounted to 1881 $3.50. Oe the tax on Rail
Telephon a' Companies $50, SIS. IS or Ex.
press Companies $10.03267. on Insurance
Companies $t31 .405.62, on collateral inner
STi. 500; other taxes and miscellaneous items
s50s.9st.2s; a total revenue Of Sl,'SS,e2lO7
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.l03, 10000
reduction Of $h16.3 10000 since 1890.
The State has outstanding temporary
loans 10 the amount of $35Q.000.00, some
part of which should be paid during the
coming year. There should be sufficient
increase IN the State revenues to provide
for the gradual payment Of the whole
amount. and to insure an adequate balance
In the treasury 10 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 readiust
mePt ,S 81 me of which VIII
lead to q more just and equitable yalus-
ton and assessment Of ail 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 a failure to do cur full duty In the
faithful fuldlment of the pledges which
have been made; Upon us Will properly
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-
peet a fearless, conscientious discharge of
every duty devolying upon you, and that
VIII mAlDlhn Inc niEu lfhultlOuS OF
patriotic service and unselhsh effort for
the common welfare which have ever char
acterized the Legislatures Of Maine.
The question of taxation Is the most I'm
portant subject demanding yodr attention.
The urgent necessity of securing greater
revenues for the State to enable It to
meet legitimate aud necessary demands
upon the treasury and TO provide for the
payment OF existing temporary loans
makes some action on your part impera'
tive.
Under our present system the farmer
often handicapped by unfavorable condi
lions the merchant with his capital In
vested in his stock of goods: the mechanic
and iaborer. striving to pay for thell
homes dnd the owner Of every form OF
visible property. already bear too great q
share OF the public burdens An increase in
the rate OF the State tax. therefore, cannot
be considered but other forms Of proper
Nv. now escaping taxation altogether, oil
paying only part OF what they
Should Justly and equitably bear, mus
be required to contribute their fair pro
portion of the cost Of supporting our gov
ernment. whose manifold advantages arr
shared by ALL and whose existence not only
makes the ownership Of property possible
ND 70