The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-01-14

ture before 1911. woufu auvrse purcnas-
ing them, from time to time, as we can
make the purchases on a reasonable bas-
is. The present valuation is $428,212,-
465.O0, showing an increase of $33,479,-
1880 over that of 1906.
The total receipts for the years 19O7-S
were $6,29s, 2524s.
The total expenditures for the same
years were s6,327, 6S9.O6.
The estimated ordinary receipts for
1903 are 1888, 440.S2.
The estimated ordinary receipts for
1910 are S3.S09, 1882.
The estimated ordinary expenditures
for 1909 are s3,S56, 343.29.
The estimated ordinary expenditures
for 1910 are S3,736. 75142.
1t 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 it 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 "practicing economy"
wish you to understand that l employ it
In the broader sense which means to
deal literally with ALL" to stint no in
stitutfon or state function but to keep
within the reasonable limits of our abili-
ty; to eXpend our money wisely; to see
that we get a good return for our ex-
penditures and to live so that we may
pay our debts without placing heavier
burdens upon the tax payers.
Conservation Of Our Resources.
Since the legislature of 1907 adjourned,
the Supreme Court of Maine in 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
laratlon 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-
ton 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 l
am persuaded that the waste of public
equity, notably in our forests, makes it
imperative that the present legislature,
should at least make a 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 grave disaster to corporations as
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
LII rSl
the heavy rains into the valleys and the
mountain slopes be forever desolate.
Thousands of acres in other countries
now desert were made such by waste
and pillage of wild lands To preserve
and cultivate the forests at our river
headWaters, seems to me to be our irnme-
date duty.
Accordingly I recommend that the
legislature authorize and create 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 r. 1907
there has been such law on the statute
hooks of New York state. operating un-
der expert direction. The Empire State
year ago owned 1,51S, $50 acres of pub
lie land, of which upwards of 95 percent
was in the Adirondacl1s. In his message
recommended that the state of New York
extend its purchases, at the same time
urging that any effort of private inter-
ests to invade the common rights of
these lands should be defeated.
=. Must Replant Forests.
Under state direction the time is at
hand when we must replant forests care
lessly destroyed. The state can produce
pine and spruce trees for a 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 l commend and which
is justified in the state of New York,
should be given to men who have expert
knowledge of the subject. Skilled ensi-
neers, members of such state water sup
ply commission, should supply exact in
formation regarding water powers unde-
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. l agree with the
governor of New York that mo grant
should be made of water power priyi-
leges without compensat ton, nor without
restriction that will properly protect the
rights of the public from whom the privi-
legeS are derived
1t is noted that the science of forestry
is now invoked in 70 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 corpora tons
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-
fic forestry The opinion of the supreme
court, enforces the rights of the people
to regulate the cutting of logs as against
destruction of forests and l call to your
attention the power thus vested in YOU.
to be used judiciously for the preserya-
ton of your rights and those of your Dos
terity.
Our State Institutions.
l have visited nearly all the state fnstf
buttons within the past few months. I
find their condition to be satisfactory,
and their management a general credit
to the state and to the officials
Under the provisions of what is known
as the state care act, which becomes on
erative 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 it in
accordance with its original design both
as to architecture and to capacity This,