Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-07-02
lives Facts and Figures in Reply to
Democratic Misrepresentation at
RouSing Republican Convention
Down in Knox County.

piohlSe III IL tnat we did not
| fulfil.
rms briefly is the story of the cam
palgns of the two great political par
Ties of this State during the last two
years up to this time But the peo-
pie or this commonwealth are inter-
ested in something more than the
success or failure of any candidate
or party Their desire is to know
whether we have kept the promises
ana pledges made to them in that
campaign of 1908 before election. If
we have. we'll and good; if NOT we de-
serve defeat and the voters of Maine
are to be the judge and jury. Their
verdict will be final; no exceptions can
be taken. We are to submit our fates
to the greatest tribunal on earth. the
people. and the result must and will
be just and right
What did we promise in 1908? After
enthusiastically endorseing the admin
istration of Theodore Roosevelt and his
strenuous efforts for the betterment Of
conditions, we asserted our belief in
the good roads movement and, acting
on this promise. the legislature in
creased the appropriation for this pur-
pose from S67 900 in 1907 to 1892 900 in
1909. We stood for the protection and
preservation of the common and ma
tural rights of all citizens in our for
ests, water supplies and other natural
resources of the State. In keeping with
this promise the Water Storage Com
mission was created, and an expert is
employed at this time helping to work
out the great problems for the benefit
of this and coming generations.
We believed in such change in our
system of taxation as would, so far as
possible, equalize public 5urdt MS and
do exact justice to All. Is there finer
eXemplification of this than the in
creased rate of taxation placed upon
the great corporations, the railroads
alone contributing more than 100000
more to the treasury of the state this
year in keeping with this promise. Last
but not least, we promised to consid-
er the eXpedency Of reducing the hours
. of labor from GO to So per week for wo-
men and children working in our fac
tories and as a result every woman
and child has an extra 90 minutes ev-
cry day in the year for recreation. rest
or pleasure.
have thus rehearsed the Republican
platform of 1908 and established by the
/ rec0ld that we have kept ScrupulOuSly
our every promise 1t is splendid rec
ord of party that keeps exact its
pledges and promises made before cleo
ton All this may be true, but we are
asked, how about the finances of the
State? They are reported to be in
sad condition; the treasury empty and
the State on the verge of financial ruin
and disaster. 1t is false. 1t is not
true. The financial affairs of your
state and mine are in splendid condi
ton today; every obligation Of the
state will be met before another legis-
| lature can make other appropriations
available. No person. company, cor
| poration, department or institution
, having a claim against the State of
| Maine need have any fear or alarm. 1t
will be paid promptly and in due sea-
| son.
1t is true the disbursements of the
treasury in 1909 were $3.SS9, 561.72 as
contrasted with the disbursements of
| S., 425, 236. 80 in 1907, the last preceding
legislative year, with which it should
be compared, an increase of 1854, 324.92.
Before ! had been inaugurated as gov
ernor of that State one hour | ad-
|
estimate that the expenditures of the
state would be s3,s56, 900. and they were
but S33, 900 more. admit that consid-
| ering the large amount to be expended
that that was a conservative estimate.
and any business man will admit that
II could hardly be equalled in any line
| of business.
| The state tax in both years was
identical, three mills, so that no more
came from the people in 1909 than III
| 1907, except that the state Valuation
had increased, but it was anticipated
| that the revenue to meet the larger eX-
| penditures of 1909 would come from the
steam and electric roads. telegraph ana
telephone companies. express compan-
| les and similar sources, the taxes on
all of which were increased by the leg
islature of 1909. but. owing to the oper-
alton of the amendment to the consu"
tuition, the initiative and referendum.
they could not become effective In sea-
son to help the treasury until the year
1910 AS one illustration: the railroads
will pay s105 900 more in 1910 than in
1909.
Now where did that $4,000 go in
1909? That is the pertinent question,
and the only one which interests every
Itaxpayer in Maine. Here is where some
of il went, using round numbers. In
| 1907 the payment to our common
| schools from the mill tax and school
fund was $751;. 900: in 1909. 1000. The
normal schools received in 1907, $4,000:
| in 1909, $40, 900. There was paid on ac-
count of superintendent of schools
comprising school unions, $4,000 in 1907;
s54 600 in 1909; no change in the law,
hit towns taking advantage of the
same to a greater extent For the
schooling of children in unorganized
townships, $4,000 more in 1909 than in
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