The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-01-14

HE hEF y DLlOEAN 81
to make payments on the state debt
when necessary.
Doubt az to Surplus
A surplus may have been in the
treasury many times, but how many
know what it was, or when, and, If
so, what disposal was made of It? An
equalization fund should show whence
it comes, and where 1t goes.
The auditors report shows that the
1915 administration will have cash
difference in its favor amounting ap-
proximately to $257 ,0S3, which is ar
rived at by adding the so-called de-
ficit OF Jan. 1, 1913. of $4S 1873 and
the o-called surplus amount of state
tax available to pay other bills for
1915" of $20S $50.
1t is to be hoped this legislature will
not get the idea that this is real
surplus, because by adding the rail-
road tax to the state tax, it would be
made so much more, or, otherwise,
less, to suit convenience.
The cash on hand in the treasury
means nothing but the ability to pay
bills which are due, as long as 1t
lasts, and then, if there are still I'M
paid bills, there should also be I'M
collected assets to meet them, Or
there is a deficiency.
The actual revenue assets, whether
they be cash or tax bills, are the key
to any benefit which this administra-
ton may receive. If there is sufh-
cient to pay the bills and more, there
agreeable and convenient; if not
enough, the boot will be on the other
leg.
All other figures not referring to the
direct financial condition make fine
fiddling, but-will the people always
methods of accounting afford the OPP
portunity.
Good Roads
A most important feature to be con-
sidered is, of course, that of good
roads. This prospect appears to be
launched with more or less success, ,
but undoubtedly there is chance for
Improvement.
All phases should be given mature
thought; first. of course, the present
and prospective resources to provide
the means; then the necessary con-
struction commensurate with the re-
sources and requirements, and then
the maintenance.
The automobile proposition has be-
come and is still growing to he of
such character that it must be con-
sidered from commercial view
point, although even the pleasure as
pect has its economic value as a
revenue producer.
This. of necessity, must appeal to
one faction at east as being sane
and natural avenue for legitimate ex-
penditure. Some may feel that, as
practically all value comes from the
ground. facilities for moving the crops
should be the first consideration
1t alsmost seems at times as though
the spirit of home rule is attempted
to be be promoted in the state road
proposition. However, in consider
ing good roads as a statewide propo-
sitton by trunk highways, III purely
sensible and profitable manner, we
must use our best enieavors to pro-
mote construction commensurate With
resources hich will best serve the
interests of the state, taking into
consideration at least four factors
population, valuation, distance and
facility.
Population must be considered be-
cause the more people, the larger and
heavier the traffic, and, consequent
ly, the more severe the test on the
durability of the road, which calls
for a better class of construction in
one locality than another. 1t is a
waste to build roads unsuited to the
conditions which they will undergo.
What would be good for one locality
may be an entire failure in another.
AS to Trunk Highways
Trunk highways are not intended as
q special favor to any specific locality.
nor should the personal convenience
OF the AUDITORS be considered to an
extreme extent. They are construct
ed only for general public conven-
fence, to facilitate traffic of all de-
scription, and to reduce costs. The
state cannot afford to build them for
any other reason.
The maintenance is, of course, the
most serious proposition. This will
strain the resources to the utmost,
and far more than expected.
1t does not appear good business to
issue long time bonds to build roads
which will endure for only five or ten
years, and this, to some extent at
least, is the situation which con-
fronts us at the present time.
In localities OF 1fgnter traffic and
long distances, no doubt roads of diff
ferent character and more easily
maintained will be of more lasting
value.
With the rs, 900 miles of roads in
the state, it is questionable whether
1t can construct anything more than
well-drained, gravel roads, and even
these only on the principal highways
1t will be well to consider where
the state is to get it's millions to con-
struct, as we'll as to maintain, for
will =