Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-15
MAINE LEADS THE NATION
Her Progress for More Than Quarter Cen
fury Shows the Character Of Her Admin
istration and the Wisdom of Her Laws

The United States Census has just issued remark
able statement concerning the State of Maine is state
worth studying and of giving careful thought as to the
meaning of this condition of affairs The Census Bureau mas
80 years preceding and finds that Name mas
all in steady advancement of financial independence
In 1880 Names per capita debt $90 that OF the average
for all the of the Union $4S Names reduction IN
per capita debt had been Is cent that OF the
average of the 48 SO per cent In 1912 the total per
capita for the 4S $3.50 that of Maine SIo7
In 3oyear period Maine had been able to reduce her per
capita debt from more and onea times the total
of all the onelalf the reduced total average
At the same time prosperity of the people indicated by
bank deposits and in this and other states has been
fully remarkable The people of this State have nearly $780,
deposits than onehalf OF 1t invested III other
states There are $4,000 dpotors in savings banks
Considering things in the light of common sense and
as conrasted with the claims of the liquor interests that pro-
hbon failure and retads prosperity we wonder now our
Democratic friends will explain away the facts Oh course II
Maine had extended about ten much for ntocants
as she has the last half century, would have enjoyed
more business but would have prospered any better than
our sister For half century, Also Maine has bee
with the exception of under Republican government
But first we will ask read the Census report just
issued
Preliminary figures from the Forthcoming bulletin pertain
ng to national and Indebtedness and funds and invest
have been given out by Director W. j. Harris 0, .e
Bureau of the Census Department of Commerce The bulletin
carries information the State of Maine well as for the
other states and United States The data were compiled
agent in charge of the inquiry Wealth. Debt and Taxation
he bulletin which will be issued will contain statistics
for each for each year from 1890 to 1913 inclusive as
far as statistics available and will also contain details tor
year nearly corresponding to 1885, thus making II
possible show the general movement during period OF over
40 wears The bulletin the total debt of the states
well many details such the various classes OF outstanding
bonds and special debt obligations to puoc trust 1nds
will also show floating debt and its component parts Under
Funds and investments will be shown separately all the differ
funds and in each cash and securities Will be shown
The population for each under consideration
will be and the per capita debt ess sinking nd asets
will be given nc ses
leaving debt e sinking fund asses the same as the
The debt of the decreased steadily during the
period of 20 years. population increased hence find
marked reduction per capita debt The ratio of increase
population however, small in comparison with the
ratio of decrease in the state debt the decline in the per
capita debt said be due entirely to the decrease
the bonded Indebtedness. rr.
In 1880 the total debt of Maine the close of the fiscal
year December a. 5000 in 1890 it fell to
and 1912 amounted to SI255ooo the greatest changes
occurring the bonds The population of the state increased
from 100000 in 1880 but this percentage OF
sufficient have apprecabe effect on the
per capita debt In 1880 the capita debt 1890
$751; in it had increased from SAG to $50 due
to an excessive amount IN outstanding warrants reported as
floating debt but in the capita debt had fallen to
"n with the State of Maine find that, taking
the debt ess sinking funds asets for the 48 states the
per capita debt according the latest report or Ss5
than the per capita debt for Maine Comparing the
of the per capita debt of Maine and the S
for the oear period find that whereas the average
debt for the 4s states d ID nearly 30 per ssn ft tor
average for the 4S states the amount fell from S5S to 1884,
in Maine, from SS4o to $I.67
AT the present o8 per of the total population
the United will be found in the State of Maine and
o. per of the total debt ess sinking fund assets) is
attributed that State.
An inspection of the tables for Maine in the bulletin
be issued shows steady decreasing bonded Indebtedness,
which fell from So 900 in 1900 to $500 in 1912 while the
special obligations public funds increased with each
year from Soo 1890 to $254ooo 1912 The floating
debt uctuated throughout the PERIOD reaching the maximum
amount, $685ooo in 1910.
n the funds and the securities show
steady increase while the amount of cash changed naturally
year the total of both cash securities increased
from ST 100000 in 1890 to SI7I7ooo in 1912"
NAMES AFFAIRS TODAY
includes
to
day In the O.
of a had