Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-01-13
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

lakes are enormous. 1t is pointed out
that sanitary science prescribes definite
and effective methods of sewage disposal.
When you consider the fearful mortality
from this source throughout the country.
which in 1900 was estimated by the cen
sus to be over thirty-five thousand lives,
1t is plain that there is material waste
as well as q disregard of human life in
present crude methods observed in the
disposal of sewage.
Protection of our forests from fire will
require your attention in some measure
at this session, and it is suggested first
OF all that the governor be empowered
to extend close season in years of ex-
IRENE drought, such as we have just
passed through. Other and possibly bet
ter methods than this will be presented
to you. / trust, and I hope every posi-
BILE means will be taken by you to afford
precautions that will diminish the dam
ger from this source.
The Report Of the Tax Commission
and Prospective Tax System.
In view Of the impending consideration
by you Of the report filed with the
governor and council by a taxation COM
mission appointed by Governor Cobb. in
accordance with the provisions of Chap
ter los, public laws of Maine Of 1907, I
shall not discuss in detail those issues
OF taxation which otherwise would have
had place herein. l refrain from this
discussion because the commission has
placed before you, as the law making
branch of the government, for your de-
termination, such questions as the larg-
er taxation Of certain public service cor
porations, a more equitable taxation Of
the wild lands, and the creation of a
public utilities Neutrality-suspicious.
that, whatever may be our personal
views, must now be met. Through the
tax commissioners report these subjects
are explicitly before you. You do not
need to be told how grave are to be the
ultimate conclusions thereof, or how di-
verse and complex are the problems they
present. Certainly. 1 have no desire to
add to their complexity through the i'm
position of personal opinions. which
might be construed to carry with them
the weight of official approval or disap-
prevail in advance of your own candid
deliberations. Later I shall not hesitate
to address you on any of these issues If,
in my judgment, it seems to me that the
demands of justice and equity are not
attained.
On the general proposition or the formu-
lation of the tax system I will, however.
enter appeal that you make 1t, as far
as possible, complete and durable. Let 1t
be a system, not a subterfuge; let 1t
fellow a policy, not a pretence. To my
mind that system Is best which is in
elusive of all interests in fair measure,
and easy of modification as to meet
the needs of succeeding generations
without tearing down the whole struc-
ture The time is ripe for the develop
ment of fixed policy and the determin-
alton of how to enforce it. To depend
exclusively on one source of revenue is
| not wise. There is an ethical. as well as
! an economical side to this question; for
you must not lose sight of the fact that
II IT, -, -
every interest in the state is hereby also
broadly inclusive of watchful care by
those interests to see that the funds
! thus taken by the state are properly ex-
| pended.
| Easy Money Begets Easy Morals.
! am aware that it is frequently urged
/ that revenue is the sole consideration
! but permit me to say. that in my fopin-
! ion where the money from taxes flows In
| golden stream into a state treasury
! from sources seemingly apart from the
people, extravaganza and corruption may
| ensue in the administration of public af-
| fairs. Easy money begets easy morals
| And in the final analysis, the people al
| ways pay the bills. 1t is better, therefore
| in my opinion to have every community
| pays its share OF the state taxes in some
| form OF direct levy, that a responsibility
| may rest upon the state TO make a pro-
per showing Oh now the same was eX
| pended, and that every citizen may keeI
! his eye upon the state. believe that this
| is wise course, for it is more and more
| the disposition and the duty of the mod
| ern state to take over to systematic con
| troll those public functions hitherto rele-
| gated to towns and cities in the build
| ing and care of public highways an(
| bridges, the care of the poor and the
| insane, and the aid to public and quasi
! public philanthropies which never will at
tain their proper usefulness until they
become the care and consideration of the
| whole people of the state.
Relief From Excessive Taxes.
| While l speak thus for a system
which shall be inclusive, l heartily APP
/ prove of the general suggestion of The
| tax commissions report for relief from
| excessive taxes on real estate and tang
! ible property in general, and the placing
| of a larger proportionate share OF proper
| ty reached by special taxation. In Maine
| we have relied too much on direct prop
| erty tax. The burdens have been ineQui.
! table. l think it is generally agreed thai
| some of our public service corporation:
| and the largely appreciated values IL
| wild lands should pay larger relative
| tax than hitherto, and l hope that The
| legislature will meet no serious opposi'
| ton in the determination of a fairer levy
| this is to be done is for you to deter.
mine. I hope it may be simple, as far re-
| moved as possible from manipulations b,
| interested parties. equitable and feast
| bic. The method in Maine long has beer
| to tax railroads on gross receipts;
| have always believed in this method a.
scientific practical. and especially easy
| of application, since il Is absolutely un'
| der the control of the legislature. By
means of il we show a greatly increased
| revenue from public service corporation:
| in the past six years, and without the
| addition of extra machinery, we have il
| in our power to secure additional reven'
ue You will have before you, a state
| ment of the varying plans for the taxa
| ton of railroads and other public service
| CORPORATIONS. / commend to you a study
| Of the same.
The direct inheritance tax the taxa
| ton of savings banks deposits in nation
! al banks the graduated automobile tax
| an annual tax on foreign corporations