Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-01-12
NUMBER 2.

The estimated ordinary expenditures
for 1909 are s3.s56.3I3.29.
. The estimated ordinary expenditures
for 1910 are 3.736.75
II should be remembered that while
we have a large cash balance at this time
much OF this will be used In the next
few months for current expenses. or be-
fore the state receives revenue from any
available source. While II is a matter
OF gratifying pride that we are increas-
Ing rapidly in wealth. we should practice
the same careful economy that has won
approval OF the citizens In the past. In
using this term 'pra cticing economy" I
wish you TO understand that employ II
in the broader sense which means to
deal literally with ALL" to stint no in
stitution or state function but to keep
within the reasonable limits OF our abili-
~: to expend our money wisely: to sec
that we get good return for our ex-
penditures and to live so that We may
pay ogr debts without placing heavier
burdens upon the tax payers.
Conservation of Our Resources.
Since the legislature OF 1907 adjourned,
the Supreme Court OF Maine I'm response
to a request OF the Maine senate. has
published an opinion affirming that the
legislature can regulate the cutting OF
logs on wild lands. This opinion was well
coined by the president OF the United
States as an important and formal dec
iaration in favor OF the public rights In
public resources which ownership does
not ALLEVIATE. In the past two years his
tory has been making along these lines.
and the various congresses for conserva-
tion and irrigation and the gatherings OF
governors OF states which have been
held in 1908, have developed public
thought along the lines Of the welcome
opinion OF our Maine supreme court.
am persuaded that the waste Of public
equity. notably in our forests, makes II
imperative that the present legislature,
should at least make beginning In the
direction OF state forest reserves and
state water storage. From year to year,
the nation has gone on. hit or miss, our
rivers have shrunk. and our forests have
been invaded so that. from one end OF
the country to the other, there Is reason
able alarm. Exhaustion OF natural re-
sources, of water power and forests would
be a grave disaster to corporations az
well as to the people. Floods waste and
destroy in the spring, and In midsummer.
autumn and winter We go dry. Unless
we preserve the forests on our mountain
and hillsides the soil will be carried by
mountain slopes be forever desolate.
Thousands OF acres In other countries
now desert were made such by waste
and pllage OF wild lands. To preserve
and cultivate the forests at our river
headwaters. seems to me to be our imme-
date duty.
Accordingly recommend that the
Legislature authorize and create a state
water supply commission. to devise
plans for the development OF our water
power. under ultimate state ownership
and control so far as Is practicable. This
is no new matter. Since July IL. 1907.
there has been such law on the statute
books OF New York state. operating un-
der expert direction. The Empire State
a year ago owned l.5ls, ,f50 acres OF pub
lie land. OF which upwards OF 96 percent
was in the Adirondacks. In his message
OF Jan. /. 1908. the governor OF New YORK
recommended that the state OF New York
extend its purchases. 1t the same time
urging that any effort Of private inter-
ests TO invade the common rights OF
these lands should be defeated.
Must RepIant Forests.
Under state direction the time is at
hand when we must replant forests care
less,y destroyed. The state can produce
pine and spruce trees for very small
sum per thousand. A state water supply
commission naturally would cooperate
with the Forest and Game commission to
establish nurseries OF forest trees.
The work which I commend and which
Is justified in the state OF New York,
should be given to men who have expert
knowledge OF the subject. Skilled engt-
neers. members OF such state water sup
ply commission. should supply exact In
formation regarding water powers unds-
veloped and should equip us with infor-
nation and advice promotive Of public
rights in harmony with vested rights.
The interests OF existing corporations
and the people are In harmony when
properly understood. / agree with the
governor OF New York that mo grant
should he made OF water power privi-
leges without compensation, nor without
restriction that will properly protect the
rights OF the public from whom the privi-
ieges are derived.
II IS noted that the science OF forestry
is now invoked in 10 percent OF the for
ests yet remaining in the hands OF the
nation and OF states. while In but one
percent OF forests owned by corporations
forestry has been invoked. The excellent
record of public forests as distinguished
from corporate forests Is due to the fact
that forestry in public lands has been
conducted by experts devoted TO scienti-
&c forestry The opinion Of the supreme
court enforces the sights Of the people
TO regulate the cutting OF logs as against
destruction OF forests and | call to your
attention the power thus vested In you.
to be used judiciously for the preserva-
hon Of your rights and those OF your pos
terity.
Our State institutions.
m H.
tutions within the past few months I
find their condition to be satisfactory.
and their anagement general credit
TO the state and 10 the officials.
Under the provisions OF what is known
as the state care act. which becomes OPP
erntive in 1910. all OF the insane Of the
state who are now supported in large
| measure by municipalities are to be sup
ported by the State. expense for the
same to be paid from the state treasury
/ About three hundred people will thus be-
come wards OF the state under this act
and this legislature must make provision
for their support. To meet the require
ments, suggest that one more wing
with a capacity to care for one hundred
and fifty patients. be added to the East.
ern Maine Insane hospital at Bangor
This will balance up this institution in
/ all its departments. and complete II In
accordance with its original design both
as to architecture and 10 capacity. This.
II seems to 'Se. will meet the states re-
quirements Tor the coming two years
Any subsequent addition to the insane
hospitals in Maine should be- for tr..
| present, ! believe on what IL knsv'n ~
the cottage plan" Under this plan.
buildings Of less expensive ma;eri can
be constructed In which harmless pa :
tients can be cared for in such II way AS
to relieve the state OF the enormous ini-
tial expense entailcd in Their care. IN
der present conditions. bills for the sup
port OF insane patients are usually rer-
dered to the town. few private pa =
tients paying directly TO the hospit1l. A
large amount required for the mainteD-
| %nce Of the insane. is collected from the
estates or the families thereof. When
| this new law goes into effect there will
be no available way OF continuing these
collections according to the present meth
od and some other method must be de-
vised by you.
Well Directed Philanthropy.
Such institutions as the Naval and
Military Orphan asylum at Bath. the
Maine Industrial School for Girls at Hal
lowell. the School for the Deaf. and the
School for the Blind at Portland. and
the State School for Boys at South Port
land, are excellent examples OF well d.
rected public philanthropy and merit
the outlay Of money required from the
state for their proper support. Some OF
| these will require larger appropriations
| this year. both for running expenses and
| for needed Improvements. The State
| School for Boys at South Portland has
| undergone an entire change the past
| ten years, and when the new stable IL