The Portland daily press., 1868-02-22

The new valuation of the State, which will
be made before assumption becomes law
will materially affect this table. Our valua-
ton has increased more than that of any other
section of the State. The towns which now
lose so largely, will lose a greater sum, and
others will be added to list of losers.
1t the question OF assumption was submitted
to the vote of our county, and each city and
town should be governed by considerations OF
local interest and pecuniary advantage, or
otherwise, the twenty-three towns that have
made returns, would throw, according to the
vote of 1866-S,690 votes against assumption
and equalization, and 5,526 in favor. This
would be majority of3,164 against it.
The amount to be assessed on the valuation
OF nine towns in Cumberland county, in ex-
cess of the amount to be reimbursed by the
State to the same towns in the county, is 1866,
766. The amount that will satisfy and equal
ize the Indebtedness of the towns in Cumber-
land county, is only $29.338. deduct this
amount and the other counties in the State
will draw from the taxable property of Cum
berland county 1896, 430.
There are but few other counties that can
equalize their war debt, four in all, Knox,
Segadahoc, Kennebec and York. These coun-
ties have but small balances to go to the gen.
eral fund for equalizing town indebtedness;
after the assessed amount has satisfied its own
county demands, there is little left to go out
side Tor other localities. Kennebec is requir-
ed to pass into this general fund $4,000 Sag
!,
consequently we can but notice that Cumber-
land county is called upon to do very gener-
Gus act: she practically carries into the State
Treasury the amount which is to satisfy the
demands of the friends of assumption The
amendment of my friend, Mr.. Farley, doubles
the loss of these five counties; it would in
crease the liability of Cumberland county two
fold. - r
As measure of generosity, equity, and COM
promise, am in favor of the committees re-
mort | confess if iOVnlVpS qariauS
tions, but perhaps it may be best for me to
compromise on this ground, and endorse the
report of the commissioners / had the honor
to be on the assumption committee of the Leg
lslature OF last winter, aud then opposed what
seemed to me the hasty action of the majority
The appointment of the commissioners under
certain instructions and limitations is in ac-
cordance with the report of the minority of
the committee. which i had the honor to
draft. / am inclined to give their report
my support wish that it should be consid-
cred finality. As a Senator from Cumber-
land county, do not consider that the other
sections of the State haso-a ANY just or legal
claim. our property to pay them for furnish
ing men to fill our army. The bounties that
the State paid are just and proper for US to
pay. When towns paid bounties the whole
matter was under the management of constit-
uences, where We had no voice, no representa-
ton, no direction, or discretion. The respon-
sibillty rests with the parties that did the bust
ness. We are, however, a great State, and
have one common interest aud should be gen.
erous and willing to assist in time of need and
severity. Therefore 1 think that the interests
of my county, require of me to go for the re-
port But weigh us down too heavily by COM
pulsory legislation, and generosity ceases.
The question may be decided at the polls
Cumberland county will not willingly paw
$7l1, 532 after satisfying her own part of mu-
nicipal war Indebtedness, to equalize the town
debts of other constituencies. 1t may be car
ried through this Legislature, though consid-
err it doubtful, for it requires two thirds vote
to carry it along through all its stages, and
make it safe 4 he resolve tlIbe submitted to the
people to change the constitution to meet the
requirement of assumption has to receive
two thirds vote OF both branches. Then
this question must meet the ordeal of
popular vote at the next fall election
1t must be borne insmind that representation
here is not based on population, and that
the vote of Cumberland county which is deep
ly and pecuniarily interested in this question
combined with that all the large, populous
and wealthy sections of the State, may defeat
it. ] am not DESTROYS officiating this meas
ure, if it can be a finaity, but 1 am opposed,
to and shall vote against the amendment. Mr..
ROBBIE further said, that Congress would hard
~ assume debts of this kind. The Western
influence would be against it.