Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-24

Ways and Bridges
Now that you have all of these re-
solves before YOU. is it unreasonable for
me to request this information? II So II
is hoped you will so inform me. and I
shall patiently await your pleasure, but
in the meantime will be under the pain
full necessity of returning to you, al such
resolves unsigned.
OF course, II Is patent to you as bust
ness men. that there must be a limit,
over which the State cannot reasonably
provide. s47E - 5.;+s
The State departments and institutions
must be maintained beyond question, the
general expenses Of these are constantly
and little, if any. curtailmen,
can be reasonably made in their alot-
ment.
A comparatively small! amount is avail
able for what may be termed outside
purposes. such as these mentioned.
The probable income of the State has
been carefully considered and with this
in view, the sum of $500 for the two
years is deemed a reasonable figure as a
total for Ways and Bridges
not agree with me on this estimate.
Enquestionably you have the power 10
pass resolves for appropriations to any
extent you desire for one object or an
other. even if it reaches the millions, for
Ways and Bridges alone, and the only
check is the veto power of the Governor,
over which you can go by a two-thirds
vote. but of course. you must provide the
revenue. and consequently the whole re-
sponsibility rests with you.
AS etated in my inaugural address, it is
not my Intention to attempt to interfere
with your rights. and trust this has not
been the case. II will be my aim to exer-
else whatever power Is vested in me TO-
ward the promotion OF fair and just ap-
preparation bill, and feel sure You will CO.
operate with me to this end. after the
whole problem is considered and under
stood. g.
A fair and just appropriation bill, to
my mind, is one which can be com
fortably cared for by reasonably de-
pendable income without excessive taxa
ton.
You will readily understand that my
view point, is limited to the income re-
CARELESS Of the opportunities Of the many
wishing accommodation. II you provide
more income. my range of vision might
change accordingly.
Right here 1t might be proper to state
that the Charitable and Benevolent"
items will be considered by me in the
same manner as Ways and Bridges"
limit has been estimated on tia.
1fc
the same: which means the total amount
only
1t is to be hoped these remarks will
not be considered note OF defiance. for
you are assured that none Is intended.
but merely suggests the advisabi,itv Of
systematizing the problem By collecting
together the most urgent measures and
consumating a total within a reasonable
limit. which can be passed on intelu-
gently by anyone not acquainted with
the details.
To explain little further regarding
the proposition OF Ways and BrhiSes,"
1t is proper to say. that l conferred with
the Chairman of your Committee, at his
request, and being informed by him,
since that time. that the Committee will
recommend a larger amount than a hun
c-ed and twenty-five thousand dollars.
there appears to be no alternative than
to return these Resolves until such time
as an exhibit can be made whereby the
most urgent Of them can be embodied
within the said limit.
II this cannot be accomplished then
surely some curtailraent must be insisted
upon elsewhere. or otherwise direct tax
alton On the people will be compulsory
II you wish to support larger expendi-
lures in this direction, in place OK the
Charitable and Benevolent" and not
exceed the estimate for both, it will meet
no opposition from me-
If I may be so bold as to suggest II.
possibly some curtailment could be made
in the expense Of Legislative printing,
for il my information is correct, the ex-
pense Of this work under Governor Fer
maids Administration in 1909. was 81. ST
o6; under Governor Plaisted's in 1911, 1t
was s2o.sca.io and under Governor
Haines' in 1913, the amount was s34.471e5
and naturally the-e was a corresponding
difference in the binding.
This OF course is optional with you. as
it can be made large or small as you
may choose, and the Governor has no
control over the amount which you may
order, unless he has the right of veto on
any order carrying the expenditure Of
money. I simply refer to this as an IL
lustration, but no doubt other avenues
could be controlled where more or less
saving could be secured.
II it is possible for you, to save 81, CO.,
% on the Legislative printing, it would
go a long way towards providing as
sistance to some Of the worthy Charit-
able institutions which are properly call
ing for aid, or perhaps repair few
bridges.
AS already intimated, my only object
is to secure a total appropriation for
all matters which will come within the
total income. and am perfectly willing
to leave the distribution in detail to
your good Judgment, unless some special
comes to me, which might
cali for objections. in which case, it will
be submitted to you.
No information in my possession indi-
Gates any Increased revenue for the use
Of this administration but it Is evident
that in some departments there will be
increased expenses.
The consequence is. that curtailment
must necessarily be made wherever pos
sible to offset the inevitable increase
in other directions.
I regret the seeming necessity which