Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-02

and prosperity of Kennebec County
where I now live, or Cumberland
County where was born. I want 10
help each county in every proper
way. -
While you are here you will have
an opportunity. to get in touch with
the various State departments with
whom you are daily transacting bust
ness, such as the Highway Depart
ment, the Department OF Charities
and Corrections, the. Treasury De-
partment and the other departments.
The functions of our town and city
governments are so interviewer with
those Of the State government that it
oftentimes L. difficult to tell where
the dividing fine comes between
them. ~
We all have reason to be proud Of
our State. wish that everybody in
the State might come to Augusta and
stand in front Of the State House for
by doing so they could not fail to be
impressed by its dignity and simpli-
city. 1t always thrills me to stand in
the beautiful park that extends down
to the river and to look up at tbs
State House for then realize what it
means to be part of this great in
stitution. government of free AMI
independent people. This building
stands as symbol Of power. not Of
autocracy or oppression. but the
power OF self control. 1t is one OF
the most dignified buildings that 1
have ever seen. it has beautiful set
ting in an ideal city. and before YOU
leave Augusta I want you to do as I
have often done, look ~up at this
building with a spirit Of reverence in
your heart and you will then go
away from here with renewed cour-
age and with a determination TO
serve faithfully and llnseifishly.
Oftentimes people regard the gov
eminent as a vague thing which ex-
lists somewhere and for some obscure
purpose. but If they would only come
to Augusta, and see the State House
as it is. and go through its corridors
and Offices they would then appreci-
ate the fact that 1t is their govern
ment. and that each and everyone of
our citizens has direct interest in.
and is directly responsible for it.
The taxes which you levy furnish
the fuel which runs the Ship of State.
Every administra ton Is held to ac
count for the money it receives and
expends. Whether an administra ton
is a success or failure primarily de-
ponds upon it's financial standing.
The business end of the government
is of the greatest Importance and it
outranks both sentiment and politics.
AS q matter of fact seldom, II ever,
do business and politics successful
ly mix and it is my ambition to have
this administration called "a bust
ncsslike and economical administra-
ton.
We always are anxious to keep
taxes down to reasonable point, but
of course the time will never come
when a government will be run with
out taxes. AS a matter of fact even
If this could be done, it probably
would not be wise to attempt it for
taxes seem to be the one unbreaka be
Eond that binds those who run the
government to those who pay for it.
The payment of taxes stimulates an
ficials to a proper sense of their re-
sponsbilities. In other words l do not
regard taxes wholly as undesirable.
We must always keep in mind that
there is a definite amount of property
within the State that can be taxed.
but that the demands upon it multi
ply with great rapidly Beyond a Ger
tain point of taxation it is not safe to
go and I believe we are approaching
that point in Maine and some COM
munities already have passed it.
The present State government has
no secrets from the people and it is
we'll understood here in the State
House that everything We do is
placed upon an open book. In fact VIC
are not contented merely to place our
record upon an open book but from
time to time publish financial and
other statements in allthe papers &C
the State and in this Way endeavor
to interest the people of the State in
what is going on. Every Assessor
here today has the right to so into
any department and ask Tor facts and
figures If these facts and figures
cannot be found I shall be glad to
help YOU in your search. and before
we get through we VIII find them to-
gether or know why they cannot be
found. ! am sure, however, that you
will meet with a cordial reception
wherever YOU go in this building for
I am proud of the spirit of corpora
ton which prevails here.
A government of necessity must do
certain work which in its nature can
not be carried on by individual en-
terprise. The publit schools, the
building and maintaining of roads
and sewers, the relief of the poor, po-
lice protection and similar work are
legitimate functions of government.
From its very nature this work can
be handled properly only by the CO.
operation of the people at large.
There are certain other classes OF
public work which occupy a middle
ground which may be carried on eth
err by governmental agencies or
through private individuals Or cor
poratlons. Examples of these are
waterWorks, lighting systems and
street railways. With US these en-
terprises are usually carried on by
private enterprise under public reg
ulation and the results have, as y
rule, been satisfactory. Apart from
these two groups. business in our
country has always been handled ~
private individuals and private conf
panies. and l do not believe that TIL
governments should encroach upon
or compete with private business en-
terprise.
In the past there has been a ten