Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-08-25
A Good Man in Bad COMPANY,

Inc state TAX Tor 1905, said Mr..
johnson. twas s91S,00O, in round num-
bers, and for the year 1900 was ap-
rroximately 1907 ,O0O" Mr. Johnson
further called attention to the filling
UP of the State House with new Offices
and clerks and various officials until
it was now question with the people,
regardless Of their party lines, what
should be done to put the State upon 4
proper business basis.
The above is a part of the speech of
Hon. Chas. +. Johnson, of Waterville,
at Machias the other night as it ap-
reared in the columns of a leading
Democratic newspaper. Mr. Johnson
is leading member of the Kennebec
bar, and a citizen highly respected by
all who know him, and he certainly
ought to be in better business than on
the stump in behalf Of Democratic
candidates and policies in this cam
paign, particularly when it appears
that he shows the unhappy effects of
suCl evil associations to the extent in
QlCdltu ny TIE dboNe tSlTdCl llOllf HIS
speech. Being a thoroughly partisan
Democrat, however Mr.. Johnson evil
IDENTIFY forgets when he goes upon the
stump those strict principles which
have made him successful as a lawyer,
and highly estimated as neighbor.
When he says that the State tax for
1905 was S91S. 900 as against 1907 900 in.
1900 he is plainly trying to make his
hearers believe that this tax. as re-
suit OF Republican legislation, is con-
stantly increasing, and consequently
becoming a greater and greater burden
to the people. 1t would not have
served his purposes as Democrat to
have told his hearers that the ten
dency of this State tax upon the peo-
pie of Maine has been steadily to de-
crease during the past quarter Of
century until in 1905 it was S1@7 900 less
than it was in 1882, and this, too, in
spite of the increasing population and
wealth of the State. 1t would not
have served his purposes to admit that
the State tax rate, which was Az
mills a quarter Of a century ago, is
now only 21a mills. and that in this
anarter of a century the State debt
has been decreased from $417S,715 to
s1,115,OOO.
That is, under Republican rule dur
ing the last quarter of a century in
Maine there has been continual debt re-
duction and tax reduction, with the
business affairs of the State admin
istered on a business-lilke and honest
basis, and yet knowing this to be true
Mr.. johnson seeks to make his hearers
believe that the great problem of the
day in Maine is to put the State upon
a proper business basis! He refers to
the filling up of the State House with
new officers and clerks, but very wise
ly does not specify any department
which could be done away with, or any
office which could be abolished. As
matter of fact no State in the Union,
when it's population, area. wealth and
needs are considered, has fewer public
officials than Maine has. or pays them
smaller salaries. The comparison
with iittie Rhode island which was
made recently in the Journal was
proof along these lines, ard similar
comparisons might be made with al
most ANY State in the Union. Mr..
Johnson may talk to his audiences
along the characteristic Democratic
lines of gura-juggling and fact-dodg-
ing. but in his heart he knows we'll
that the State Of Maine was never in a
better financial condition. that it's al
fairs We're never better or more hon
estly administered, that the tax burden
upon it's people was never lighter and
that il never had more faithful. more
honest, OF more efficient Governor than
at the present time.