Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-08

had not named rate. but apparently the
rate. Had they the authority. and where
did they get It? The Legislature appar-
emily has the sole power to make the
rtae. Does the law az amended mean
that local assessors shall continue the
local rate until the Legislature names a
rate? t1t- r. $685..
Another question Is: What will occur
II it does name rate? If so, will 1t be
necessary to pass IT as an emergency
of 1915. ..., ID. ~ II
1t is to be regretted that this amend
ment does not contemplate some method
means an 10 new TO tce
would be used when deemed expedient
for development of the resources and in
erase Of the population.
ject, which must necessarily be brief.
but will no doubt arouse your minds to
the Importance of this matter. as well as
its wide range. what do we gather from
them?
Probably you will endeavor to seek the
motive, define the words, contemplate
conflicting laws. classify the property,
apply the valuation, estimate the volume.
weigh the value. consider the equality,
state the exemptions, name the rate,
make the penalties. and comprehend the
important fact that it touches the fund
amental principles so closely allied to
the financial system of the State.
Then if all this is embodied in the law,
1t will go to the assessors or tax COM
missioners. as the case may be, who must
operate the law and expose the property
wherever 1T can be found.
No doubt you will study all these
phases and more. 1t should be remem-
bered that these remarks are but sug.
gestions, not argument for or against
and serve only as reminder of things
you already know.
Undoubtedly there will be many argu-
ments pro and con, but in the heat Of
them 1t is sometimes difficult to assemble
acquired knowledge into speech or get
the same concretely and comprehensively
will be required to do. 1t will require
time, ability and untiring energy 10 en-
compass it all in o bill, but without
doubt You will reach a satisfactory con-
clusion.
Much more could be said. and ought to
be said before the bill, if one is pre-
sented, Dis finally completed.
My only excuse in taking as much
space as this is the contemplation of the
grave consequences of an imperfect bill.
There are many other topics which
should be touched upon. such as conser-
walton of resources, state institutions,
cattle commission, agriculture, manufac-
lures, summer business, sea and shore
fisheries, fish and game. water storage
and fire protection, wild lands and for
estry, primary election laws, corrupt
practices. tuberculosis, military affairs,
woman suffrage, workingmen's compensa-
ton, public utilities. railroads, care of
insane, pensions, civil service, banking,
public hospitals, home rule. insurance.
election expenses, supervision of State
farms. law and order industrial trade
schools, school and mill tax, prisons, cor
poration laws, uniformity of municipal
accounts. women's reformatory, prohibit
ton end Temperance and many Others
but space forbids.
The Seventy-fourth Legislature passed
7O1 acts and 345 resolves; the Seventy
fifth 500 acts and 236 resolves; the Seven
to be hoped that the Seventy seventh
will do no worse.
Vox PopuIl!
Legislators:
Listen to the voice of the people To
me they seem to say:
We have a great and glorious State,
rich in resources and of wonderful scenic
splendor. in which we believe and place
our hope.
We. depend upon you to. represent Us
intelligently, honestly and fearlessly.
We are anxious. eager and determined
to be first in all matters where your
earnest thoughts and facultative ability
can dFall ana promote.
We wish the stranger within our gates
for health, pleasure. or business. in all
seasons, to see our farms productive, oul
mills and factories busy, our towns and
cities teen1ing with life, energy and ac-
tiVity, and tho waters of our seaports
ploughed by the ships Of commerce.
The markets stand waiting for GU,
products and also the merchandise at
tracted by our seaport facilities.
Time was when our clipper ships sailed
IF hn oil nhn. rlo
to the markets of the earth, and the
world knew that Maine is here. We find
no fault with the past; it speaks for it.
self; but the future is before US, and we
want our place maintained among the
prosperous states Of the Union.
We have our railroads. and they must
expand into our undeveloped territory.
We have our water powers. and they
We have our farms, which must be
made to yield to the uttermost.
We have idle land to spare, which
must be cultivated.
We have natural facilities and the loca-
ton, which must be employed.
We expect you to keep alive to the
activities which will promote our ship
ping, our fisheries, our farms, our forests
our factories, our railroads and all oul
industries.
We have never taken our hands from
the plow and looked back.
We have worked hard and long, and
we are known everywhere as a clear and
clean thinking people.
We want the conveniences and COM
forts our conditions will afford.
We want the industrial brotherhood te
be in easy circumstances, free and con.
tented, not only now, but when the tide
Of old age is tasty ebbing.
We want happiness, charity and good
fellowship to prevail
We want all to participate justly an6
fairly in the marvellous prosperity of this
glorious country.
We want you to look we'll to the com.
forts and welfare of the unfortunate, ant
to safeguard their interests by all rea
sonable means.
We insist that liberty and persona
rights take their natural course.
We demand equal rights Of opportunity
free from interference and oppression
We maintain our right to fair and just
representation.
Legislators, are rot these words true
and do they not find echo in your hearts
So, let us work for these things sc
important in this age of unrest and con
slant fluctuation and change. Then the
lights on the sea and shore Of the ole
Pine Tree State will continue as ever tc
be the guide to other states and thai
we have been faithful to our trust and
our laws will be- looked on as wise and
manly.
Legislators: A short time here, and we
will go our way to do our work for the
State in other directions. some to the
cities, some to the farms, and some to
the sea; and now, as the people say, sc
do we feel, and we promise that the