Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-09

nor John +. Hills second inaugural adj
dress. delivered before the list Maine
Legislature, Thursday noon. 1t is not
only q document worthy the careful
consideration of the members of the
Legislature, but one that every citi-
zen of the State should read.
Gentlemen of the Seventy-First
legislature: As representatives of the
sovereign people charged with the
duty and responsibility of enacting
such legislation as will best promote
the common good, the obligation which
you have accepted demands the most
faithful and devoted service that you
can render. Maine Legislatures have
ever been composed of high-minded.
patriotic men, who nave had the best
interest of the State at heart They
have been men we'll qualified by
practical experience to direct and
manage public affairs, and their
unselfsh labors for the general
welfare have won the merited appro-
baton of their fellow citizens. You
will enter upon the laborious and ex-
acting duties of the present session
with the same just and generous meas
IRE OF public confidence and support
that has been accorded your predeces-
sors. Into ycur hands the people of
Maine have given the affairs of our
State in full faith that, recognize
ing the grave responsibility of the
trust, you will administer it wisely and
well. 1t is a pleasure and privilege
for me to welcome you to the Capitol
and to assure you that / shall be ready
at all times tn heartily cooperate with
you in every measure calculated to
promote the best interests of the people
whom we are honored to represent.
The future is full of promise, and the
evidences of continued progress and
development may be seen on every
hand. Our various industries are as a
rule successful and giving employment
to more people than ever before, and
every indication points to the con-
tinued growth and prosperity of the
whole State
State Finances.
There has been substantial increase
in our revenues, as a result of legis-
laton enacted two years ago, which
placed upon the corporate interests of
the State "a larger share of the public
burdens. Not only has the entire tenn
porary loan of $685. been paid, but
$36 900 on account of the Eastern Maine
Insane Hospital and $4,000 of the
funded debt as well, while the amount
of cash on hand December 31st was
$24001367 greater than on the cores
bonding date two years ago.
This is net gain of $146.0l3.6I in the
last two years.
The total revenue of the state for
the two years ending December 3lst,
1902 was Sd.42n. 1852, The amount OF
cash on hand December 3lst, 1900. was
$l9s,S7?.e!, making Il total of S4.62S,9si-
49, The amount disbursed during this
period was $4,190,0 s1.S5, leaving bal
anve on hand December 31st, 1902, OF
$43S, S92.6S The greater portion OF TINS
sum will, however be required to dis
charge obligations soon payable. and to
meet promptly the regular and legiti-
mate demands upon the Treasury, for
it should be remembered that the State
revenues during the first part OF the
year do not equal it's necessary expen-
ditures by several hundred thousahu
dollars.
The various State Departments and
institutions have been managed with
care and economy. There was an UNI
expended balance of appropriations
amounting to $50, 769.61 reverting TO the
treasury at the close of 1901, and OF
S34, 99e.S5 at the close of 1902
From time to time an opportunity !:
offered for the purchase of State bonds
of various maturities and l believe i
would be sound business policy, am
for the interest of the State. to give
the treasurer authority to buy sucl
bonds whenever funds are available fo'
the purpose. We should take ad
vantage of these opportunities to mor'
RAPIDLY reduce our funded debt. which
otherwise can only be paid as it ma
lures.
Seventy thousand dollars becomes
due and payable annually until 1872
then $4,000 each year until 1872, AM
after that $3S,000 annually until l92s
when the last payment is made ant
the entire debt is discharged.
The net amount of State tax as
sessed during the past two years wa
$595 30. the total tax assessor
against the cities. towns and organ
izcd plantations being 81, $50, an
the amount of the school fund and mi
fax which they received from TIL
state treasury, $l,152, 44295; $SO5, 451 4
was paid by the twenty cities of tn
State. S942. 025.SS was paid by the town
and plantations, and $1O7.s14.5S by tn
owners of wild lands. The twent
cities paid into the treasury $42oS2os
more than they received from tn
school fund and 25S towns and piahta
t;ons ar more than one-half. receive
frop, the school fund more than tn
state tax assessed against them. IN
average net State tax of the invent
c;tias Of the State was Lac mills
nacr dollar cf valuation, ard Tor IN
towns and organized plantations. th
average rate was one-half mil
each dollar.
800, tho fax on cities. towns. plant;
t;nas and wild lands during the pa
two years, the tax on savings oan IAN,
mas amounted to s1.osslsl:4s on tr y,
ana banking companies, So, lbs; u
fax on railroads was solo'f's.s-
telegraph and telephone ',ias az
sag. 500. 81; on express connpaiies' ~ ~.
ooo 90. -, ;,,S,,ranca companies, 81.