Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-06

valuation will yield for two years i
retenue Of s1.t53. 0y1. Sc.
The total receipts for the years 1903
and 1904. including SOS, 1864. the
amount received from the United
States government. were SASS. 3o9.S0.
The total expenditures for the years
1908 and 1904 We're $5.052 412.01
The estimated regular receipts for
1903 are $o,249, 100: the estimated
regular receipts for 1906 are se.116.o0ooo.
Tn" estimated regular expenditures
for 1895 are 1887 10000; the estimated
regular expenditures for 1906 are $780,
10000.
Among the convictions held by our
people which Seem to be in entire ac-
cord with the theory and principles OF
flf-govcrnment. is the belief that
every citizen is entitled to know the
exact amount of the compensation re-
ccivei by state and county officials
for the strNI they are called upon IL
perform. and that this knowledge
should h" obtained from open records.
The law provides III many instances
that those officials shall charge and
{, llcct fees in return for public acts
and services rendered by them. and
that all or part of the fees so collected
| shall lie retained by them as payment
for such services. This plan OF COM
pensation may have had some merit in
the past. and there may be some cases
Where its continued use is Justified
now. but upon the whole it seems to
be contrary to the spirit Of our lnsti-
tutions and to the wishes of our people.
The reasons for this are obvious. The
official is a public servant, with no
authority other than that derived
directly or indirectly from the people.
and all money coming into his posses
sion by the exercise of such authority
is in Il sense public funds and properly
subject 10 an accounting. Ills exact
and regular compensation can never b"
determined if it depends upon the re-
ceipt of fees. and it often happens
that he receives cor his services an
nually a much larger sum than was
contemplated when his Office was
created and one far in excess of a pro-
portionnte or even liberal remunera-
ton. 1t is not unlikely. too, that an
unusual or unexpected diminution of
fees might seriously and unfairly I'M
pair the income of an official who relied
| uDCn lntHt u aHOlti it>t7'iit'ciN '7''i
ary. This question engaged the :tten-
ton Of the last Legislature. and the
two leading political parties III the
state have publicly and formally de-
clared themselves in opposition to the
present method of paying ceriaiis state
and county officials. L therefore
recommend that the fee system, So
called, he abolished, and that in its
place. YOU establish by legislation a
system providing for the Payment OF a
fixed and adequate salary to all those
persons who have been placed-'n Office
by the people or by the Legislature,
and who, in a public capacity, serve the
state or counties.
IN referring 40 the recent death of
Ezra Curtis Stevens, late Superin-
tcndent of Public buildings. / am very
sure that the many among you Wh"
knew him. Will recognize the pro-
pri"ty of using this occasion for the
p,,rpnse Of paying Il brief but sincere
tribute 10 his memory. Mr.. Stevens
was Il most .fti1ant state official. HIS
term Of service VAS long and in di1ter-
ent Capacities. but it was in the care
and Improvement of this building ana
these halls that, he particularly eN-
hibitcd his abilities as competent,
energetic and conscientious pubic
servant. All who met him Will recall
his fire qualities Of heart and NINA, ms
ceutlencss and @unfailing courtesy, and
we whom Il kind fortune made MS
friends will hold him always Ill CRATE
ful recollection.
1t has not seemed to me necessary or
| in,
time 10 present for Your conSldefa-
ticn information of the condltlon o.
the state. except in most general
terms The reports submitted by the
| various departments boards ana conf
missions contain the complete an" pre-
Else details of their operations ana
sc0pc, and will undoubtedly receive
your careful attention and 1housht.
have preferred instead 20 discuss some
| what in detail the questions oil reou'-
ing the State tax and abollShm% inc
| fee system, and to make deii!li'e
recommendations for their treatment
.t your hands There are other mil
+ors Of moment and Importance thal
,vill anncol to Your solicitude and JudS-
,r.nt for decision When these be
come the subjects of Legislative 'in-
o,,irv and action and both necessity
and propriety seem to require an eN-
nrcssion of my views, shall venture TO
declare them in accordance with the
privilege granted by the constitution
10 the Governor of the state.
T,ut do not mean to close this ad-
dress without speaking of pubic
question that lies very close |" th''
heart and conscience of thousands VI
the men and women OF this state. ana
one that should. and believe does. ap-
peal to every law-ab1inS citizen Tor Il
nrompt and righteous settlement.
refer to the existing prohlhitorE
law. so-calle,l and to the condition OF
its practical nOn-enEorcement IN many
of our cities and towns. l cannot hop'
to bring to its discussion Lew IDEAS. nor
by the aid Of unfamiliar arguments I"
throw new light upon the cause De
lieVe it my duty to SUSTAIN, Dut can
and do avail myself Of this opportunity
to ask YOU to look At the Fundamental!
truths aud facts Of this que Stion, strip
ped Of the covering that prejudice
~, have