Daily Kennebec journal., 1912-05-20


State and the current discussions touch
ing economic questions, and the beneht
of his accuratea information is given to
the people in a paper, which IN point OF
need not fear comparison with any mes
sage ever presented to a Maine Legtsla-
ture, and which cannot fall to have
much influence in shaping the action OF
the session"
His Stand for Tax Reform.
SO much for the public verdict on
Governor Burleigh's presentation OF
public questions with his accompany
ing recommendations. Now for few
Of the practical results that came from
item. In his first message Governor
BurIeigh said;
"Our own State valuation finds
too large proportion of our pro-
perty in the farms of the State, and
makes the farmers pay an undue
share Of the general taxes. On the
other hand, the United States CEN
sus takes cognizance of the less
tangible but more profitable invest
ments that escape their fair share
of the public burdens. II there
should he a closer inquiry into other
forms of property than the real es-
tate, taxation could be more equi-
IdDIy uISlElDulSu, anu uiUie tAHIl
Justice could be done to all citizens
alike-which is indeed the highest
duty of a state government"
AS a result of this recommendation
the Legislature authorized the Gov
ernor to appoint a tax commission TO
inquire into the system adopted by
other states to raise revenue for State,
county and municipal expenses, and to
4 n
equitable system of taxation for all
property in this State, for the purpose
of said State, county and municipal ex-
penses, that shall be better adapted to
the wants of this State, and reduce the
rate of taxation of the people; and to
provide for better and more effectual
system of assessment and collection of
taxes, in this State"
The commissioners appointed by
Governor Burleigh for this work were
Hon. oliver G. Hall. Hon. Samuel J.
Anderson and Hon. John L. Cutler,
three men of recognized character and
ability representing both of the great
political parties. The work of this
commission was thorough and exhaus-
tive "a r. 5tlslI
The. majority of its recommenda-
tions were accepted, and have been
made law. We have the State board
of assessors and equalization which
was one of the principal reforms urged
by the commission of 1889. We have
the license tax on dogs. we have the
taxation of collateral inheritances. the
tax on savings banks has been In
creased, there Is taxation of palace
cars, foreign insurance companies and
.t1- >f
porate franchises, and the limit of the
railroad taxation has been raised.
Not only did Governor Burleigh In
augurate this movement for tax re-
form, but he stood strongly for the Sc
curing of practical legislation to carry
the principal recommendations of the
commission into effect. the outcome
being the passage of the practical tax
reform laws which resulted In increas-
ing the valuation of the State from
1926 900 900 to $340, 100000.
The people of the State will always
remember to Governor Burleighs credit
that 1t was upon his suggestion and
under his leadership that this great
work of tax reform in Maine was inau-
gurated and carried through.
Refunding of the Bonded Debt in 1889.
In his inaugural address of 1889, Gov
ernor Burleigh expressed the opinion
that a State of Maine three per cent.
bond would command a considerable
premium. The State debt was then
bearing interest at six per cent. Act
ing upon Governor Burleigh's sugges-
tion, the Legislature authorized an IS
sue of bonds to cover the entire State
debt, amounting at that time to 1884,
900, about two-thirds of which became
due June /. 1889. and one-third October
1st, of the same year. On March 18th.
two days after the adjournment Of the
Legislature, the Governor and State
Treasurer inserted an advertisement In
the leading papers of New York, Mas
sachusetts and Maine. soliciting pro-
posals for the loan. These proposals
were to be opened March 27, 1889. The
result was the sale of the entire loan
at premium of $79,900, which amount
was directly applied to the payment OF
the public debt. Soon after the nego-
tiation of these bonds there was an
unfavorable turn in the money mar
ket, and had these initiatory steps
been delayed it is altogether probable
that these bonds could not have been
floated at par. The annual saving in
the interest account effected by this
successful funding Of the State debt
amounted TO s71.520.00. and has very
materially ligltened the burdens of the
taxpayers.
Agriculture Made State Depart
ment. ~
Through the recommendation or
Governor Burleigh, who has always
been in sympathetic touch with the
farmers of the State and their inter-
ests, the secretary of the Board OF
Agriculture was given merited In
crease of salary and assigned perma-
nent quarters at the State House, thus
making his department convenient and
available to the public, and enabling
him to devote his whole time to the
exacting and important duties of his
office.
Increased State Appropriation for
Pensions.
The survivors of the late Civil War
have had no truer friend in Maine than