Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-01-07
Sea and Shore Fisheries

The commissioner OF sea anu Suoio o
fisheries in his last report, that for the
years 1909 and 1910, estimates the
annual value to the state OF the
fisheries and investments connected
Herewith at more than SO, ,000, 900.
Included in these fisheries is the
lobster industry, which to my mind,
is the most important, with the pos
sible exception of the sardine indus
try, Of any branch Of this business.
Lobsters are among the most ex-
pensive foods, and the demand for
| them Is great. 1t Is very evident
that, unless we have strict enforce
ment of the laws we have. this In
dustry, which Is one Of the best, will
very soon be of little value to our
people.
believe an amendment Of our law
for the protection Of the lobster in
dustry would be of great value to
our fishermen along our seacoast, and
be generally appreciated by all the
| people of the state. submit this
suggestion to you for your very care
full consideration.
There are many other industries
within our borders that might men
ton, a discussion Of which would
shed further light on our economic
and Industrial situation, but time for
bids any further consideration Of this
subject; suffice 1t to say that there is
| every indication that the state is in a
more independent and prosperous
| condition than ever before.
Taxes and State Expenditures
The burdens of government come
| to us in the practical form Of taxes
upon our property, and this Is sub
| ject Of first importance. There has
grown up in the past quarter OF CEN
tury, with the development OF busi-
| ness through corporations, a state
tax assessed upon the property. in
come and franchises OF these corpora
| tions, which amounted in 1912 to
81, ,O23, ,553. .66. This tax, together
with the tax on collateral inheri-
tances, fees. and other items not in
cluded in the direct state tax. make
up about one-half of the amount of
money received into the state treas
ury.
The valuation OF cities, towns and
plantations for the year 1911 for the
| purpose of direct taxation Is fixed by
| the state assessors at $451, 7S0, :, ,119.
For 1913 and 1914 this will be
increased to $47S. 19O.O4 The
sources to the state treasury has
amounted to about 5,O0O.O 200 each
year for the past two years. Now,
this amount In the treasury is not
| needed for the strict purpose OF
state government, and is not expend-
ed for that purpose. A very large
part Of 1t is paid over or credited to
the cities and towns for the benefit OF
| the public schools, highway improve
ment, support Of paurers. and a
| number of other purposes. which aid
the municipalities. The state has
| thus become, in way. collecting
| agency, a clearing house for the towns
and cities.
The legislature Of 1909 increased
| the school mill tax from ~ mills to
3 mills. Thus you will understand. I.
from this item alone. that If the state
| tax Is placed at mills. mills OF It
| goes back to the towns and cities for
| the common schools, also one-half OF
the savings banks tax and some 9TH
er items. SO that on this basis OF
taxation the state treasury has only
about n mill of direct tax left for 9TH
or purposes. And you will under
stand that the necessary expenses of
the state government. together with
| the maintenance OF the hospitals and
charities must be paid largely from
the taxes paid by the corporations.
Work For Finance Committee
II will be the special work OF
the finance committee to keep close
| account Of the amount Of the appro-
priations which are being made from
time to time, so that the legislature
NAV be informed Of what tax rate will
be necessary to pay the bills Of the
state for the years 1913 and 1914.
There is no economy in having
large surplus in the treasury
and 1t may be a source Of DIFF
iculty for you. Those seeking
appropriations for different things
will urge 1t as a reason why the ap-
propriations they want should be
made. The ability Of the state to
meet any appropriation which the
legislature may make. should never
be doubted, but the wisdom OF MAX
Ing a given appropriation should
never depend upon the amount OF
ca.h on hand. II 1t Is wise to make
an appropriation, 1t can make no dill
ference whether the money at the
time Is in the state treasury or In the
pockets Of the people. recommend
that you carefully scrutinize all ap-
preparations asked for and grant them
upon their merit only.
Highways
The question Of the Improvement OF
our highways by means Of aid from
the state treasury has been promi-
nently before the people Of the state
since 1901, when the legislature
passed its first act providing for state
roads and for the improvement
thereof.
We have over 25 500 miles Of high
way In the state, and the state asses
sors' report for 1911 show that the
amount appropriated by the munich
cipalities for highways and bridges In
that year was 81. .404, ,075. To this
should be added the amount expended
from the state treasury In this work.
The introduction of the automobile,
or the carriage moved by the power
Of gasolene. has made the question
Of highways of still more importance
to the people of the state. The au-
tomobile has undoubtedly come to
stay as a leading means Of transpor-
tation, and the better the highways,
the more useful can such machines
be made.