Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-13
Thursday, November. 10, 1924.
the GOVERNORS ADDRESS TO
THE ASSESSORS

There is quite general recognition
OF advantages derived from the get
ting together OF the assessors In this
state. The idea OF holding these
conventions. which originated with
Mr.. Stetson OF the commission ought
by now to be a fixity. The State
has prohted from these meetings
Governor Baxter In his address to
them expresses recognition OF this:
his endeavor to lay before their con-
alteration his conclusions respecting
certain matters OF state Is evidence
OF his belief that the assessors OF
this State are a body OF intelligent,
public spirited people. whose judg-
ments are good. whose influence on
legislation Is. important.
II II but natural--all the more no
in Dne who has devoted much study
and effort to the problems OF
atate--that the retiring Official
should have opinions that he deems
important and worthy of attention.
Governor Baxter has such opinions
publicity and there Is much OF good
in them. MS all acquainted with his
attention to the States affairs
might well expect. We do not have
to agree with all his conclusions to
arrive at this one.
He believes the people may be
trusted and that they must be kept
informed. The two convictions be
long together: without the latter the
FORMER is dubious. He approves the
dictum that the art OF government
In the art OF being honest" He
points with pride to the 81, 9OS. 407. 81
In the treasury OH Nov. 1st; we as
sumo money from unexpected sources
contributed to this total but this
should not be understood rs denying
tho efforts which Governor Baxter
has made to give tho State eco
nomical management. or the success
which has attended those efforts
considered as II whole.
While complimenting his associates
In the management OF state affairs
for their cooperation he tells OF his
experience In the beginning with re-
luctancc on the part OF several de-
partmerts and agencies of the gov
eminent To turn any unexpended
balance over to the treasury at the
end OF the year. This is the general
experience with government man
sequence OF the methods of such
management. Experience has taught
tho official that the law makers In
forming their judgment respecting
appropriations are Influenced unduly
by the amounts expended In previous
years.
The Governor told the assessors
he had saved to the state large
sums by means of his vetoes; that
Nctoes should be considered 'as
merely an honest difference OF
opinion" Without questioning good
results from some OF the vetoes 1t Is
open to question whether tho neces-
sity OF many yetoes Is not an indica-
ton OF serious situation, and
hardly creditable to the opinion of
the many as contrasted with the
opinion of one. Discrimination and
delieacy obviously are required to
hold the scales even as between the
departments OF law making and that
OF law executing.
And there Is the wisdom Of ex-
p,rience In what the Governor has
10 say respecting the continuing APP
preparation" but We would hesitate
TO go the length of abolishing them
altogether. Business management
demands In some instances . con-
tinueus policy and any other ar.
Sangement puts unnecessary strain
on succeeding Legislatures In the way
OF reviewing and the consequent ef-
feet Of "log- rolling" But 1t Is we'll
10 be reminded that 20 per cent OF
the states funds are already obligat-
ed and that Il Is virtually impossible
to change one of these policies once
established.
The Governor has spoken fearless.
~. What he has to say respecting
our bridges and the prospects OF
legislation thereon Is timely and
should have weight. And he does
not hesitate to tell the truth as he
sees Il about the Portland Pier and
does the State a service In doing so.
The taxpayers should realize. a.
many Of them do not, that they are
taking out OF their pockets annually
nearly $los.oo0 to support 1t. Good
management and some return should
be expected therefrcm. He does not
hesitate to admit that experience
has changed his opinions OF gravel
roads under certain conditions.
Those who are thinking of issuing
bonds to build that kind of road
better read what Governor Bakers
experience has been; It should help
Get their ideas straight.
Maine people should not forget
that In Governor Baxter It has had
an executive who has devoted time
and effort to acouainting himself
with conditions in out state in
stieutions and ths inmates thereof.
He has 80 rendered a splendid SER
to the State ana to the unfort-