Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-18

4 ubliSH'ilS 'fa.--lflN' Ii. Ilill aiIiipAt
opportunity for the exercise of the
marked executive abilities and clear
headed business foresight that have
won him marked success in the many
and notable business enterprises with
which he has been associated. He
possessed, in an exceptional degree,
the ability to organize industrial sue
cess. With rare powers of concentra-
ton, he combined the ability 10 sift
the wheat from the chaff and to go
at once tc the core of any business
proposition that came before him.
Under mis- direction the Nickery q Hill
Publishing co. has become one of the
largest publishing houses in the eoun-
try. with branch offices in Boston.
New York and Chicago. Its history
since Governor Hill assumed charge
of it's affairs has been one of constant
growth and expansion.
Governor Hill always took an active
and honorable part in the politics Of
Ills native state, and his fellow citi-
zens have called him To many places
of public trust and responsibility. the
splendid majorities that have always
been accorded his candidates. being
The best possible proof OF his high
standing with the voters. In 1889. he
WIS elected a member OF the Maine
House Of Representatives from the
city of Augusta, and served on the
committees of banks and banking. and
OF railroads. telegraphs and expresses.
In 1891 he wHs reelected as represent
tative. and served as chairman of the
House committee on railroads In
cd l,1-. ne
camation for senator from kenne bee
county. and sat in the Legislatures OF
1899 md 1895 in that capacity. serving
al both sessions as chairman of the
important railroad committee He
was Presidential clectof in 1896, and
a member of Governor Powers G0un-
ell during the years 1885, and 1909.
So strongly had Dr.. Hill impressed
himself upon the people Of his state
by the high quality OF bis work both
as n member OF the Legislature and
as 4 member Of the Executive Council
! that in the summer of 1900 he was
nominated for Governor Of Maine, en-
| loving the distinction of having this
| high honor accorded him without OPP
| position and by reclamation He car
| ried everything before him in the elee-
| ton defeating his Democratic oppo-
| n6nt by q majority OF 33,334. He was
| Reelected in 1902 ny another sweeping
| majority.
| Governor Hiu's two administrations
were notable ones in the life of Maine
| They were prominently business ad.
| ministratiGnS. by no means lacking If
constructive legislation, but neverthe-
! less characterized by wise conser-
vatism that enabled them to leave be.
hind record Of practical results
| which was in the highest degree {
| creit to the Governor and a source q
just pride to the citizens of the State
In his first inaugural address Gov
ernor Hill took a strong ground fol
the more equitable distribution of til,
| burdens of taxation. He said
Under our present system the far
mer. often handicapped by unfaVora
| bic conditions; the merchant. with his
| capital invested in his stock of goods
The mechanic and laborer, striving Il
pay for their homes: and The owner o
every form of visible property, al.
ready bear toe great a share of tht
public burdens. An increase in the
rate of the State tax. therefore. can.
not be considered. but other forms q
property, now escaping taxation alto
sether. or paving only part of whai
they should justly and equitablv bear
must he required to contribute theh
fair proportion of the cost of sup.
porting our government, whose mani
fest advantages are shared By all. an6
whose existence not only makes tht
ownership of property possible, hui
gives permanfnce and security To its
values.
This recommendation was destined tc
bear much fruit during the four years
that Governor Hill! served the people
of Maine as their chief executive
Laws We're passed increasing the taA
on railroads. on express companies OF
sleeping and palace cars. on telegraph
and telephone companies, on corpora
lions, and on interest bearing deposits
in trust ana banking companies As
a result of these laws and the large
revenue derived from them, the bur
denS OF taxation We're made vastly
lighter To those citizens whose proper
ty nocausc il was tangible and visible
had formerly been levied upon for the
lions share of the States revenue. II
was a policy of fairness and justice "a
all interests that was deeply appre.
eiated by the people of Maine and will
always be remembered by them To tho
credit of Governor Hill.
AS a result of this legislation which
placed upon the corporate interests OF
the state a larger share of the public
burdens. the administrations Of Gov