The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-05-16


share of the general taxes. On the
other hand, the United States GEN.
sus takes cognizance of the less
tangible but more profitable invest
ments that escape their fair share
of the public burdens. If there
should be closer inquiry'into other
forms of property than the real es-
tate taxation could be more equi-
tably distributed, and more exact
justice could be done to all citizens
allkc-which is indeed the highest
duty of State government"
AS a result of this recommendation
the Legislature authorized the Gov
ernor to appoint tax commission "to
inquire into the system adopted by
other states to raise revenue for State.
county and municipal expenses, and to
provide for more equal, just and
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 a 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. Hail. Hon. Samuel ].
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.
The majority of it's recommends
lions 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
trust and loan companies, and of cor
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
reform laws which resulted in increas-
ing the valuation of the State from
1926, 000, 900 to $34O, 100000.
The people of the State will ALWAYS
remember to Governor Burleigh's credit
that it was upon his Suggestion and
under his leadership that this great
work of tax reform in Maine was inau-
gurated and carried through.
Refundine Of the Bonded Debt in 1889.
In his inaugural address of 1889, Gov
ernor Burleigh expressed the opinion
that 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 Burleighs sugges-
lion, the Legislature authorized an is
sue OF bonds to cover the entire State
debt, amounting at that time to S., 3S4,-
900, about two-thirds of which became
due June l, 1889, and 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
We're to be opened March q, 1889. The
result was the sale of the entire loan
at a premium of $4,000, 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 fhnSn anJ116 !,
f1oated at par. The annual saving in
the interest account effected by this
successful funding of the State debt
amounted to s71520OO, and has very
materially lightened the burdens of the
taxpayers.
Agriculture Made State Depart
rnent.
Through the recommendation of
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 a 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
Governor Burleigh. 1t was upon his
very earnest recommendation that the
Legislature of 1889 increased the ap-
preparation for disabled veterans, and
those dependent upon them, from $780,
900 to $135,000.
1t was upon the recommendation of
| Governor Burleigh that the law was
passed providing heavy penalties for
| the careless setting of forest fires, and
making the Land Agent the Forest
Commissioner of Maine, with wardens
in every section of the State.
Indexing of the State Library.
When the State Library was about to
| be moved into it's new quarters in the
| State House extension, in 1891, Gov
ernor Burleigh called the attention of
the Legislature to the great Importance
of supplying it with a modern card
| catalogue, in order that it's treasures of
| information might be unlocked and
| rendered easily available to its patrons.
| For this reason he advocated an APP
| preparation for the purchase of the
necessary cabinets and other material
| and the employment of additional help.
| skilled in this class of work The Leg
| iSlature. responded to this appeal and