Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-17
n cverv town were taxed mill for the support

in every town were taxed mill for the support
of schools, and the amount thus raised were
returned to every town, there would be no
inequality in this measure. But what are the
workings of this law? Every town is taxed
one mill on a dollar on its valuation and
this sum goes into the State Treasury.
Is it returned to the towns as they give
it? Not at all. 1t is distributed by an
other rule, and that rule works this
inequality. While the city of Portland
pays, in round numbers under this mill tax,
the sum of $4,000 for the support of schools,
it receives back in round numbers, but Sll,-
00O making a ret loss of $4,000. Other
towns in the State pay bu. small amount of
this mill tax, receiving in return three or
four dollars for every one that is paid out.
And law that works in this way, pronounce
an unjust, unequal, and oppressive law.
Again. We have not had time to test the mill
tax passed last winter, and yet before we have
had any chance whatever TO try this law, here
comes up a proposition of the minority of the
committee on education to double up on 1t.
Is it not just and expedient to test this matter
before we 60 further? All the majority OF
the committee asks, is to let the mill tax
stand as it is, until it can have, at least, enc
year of trial. Is not this fair and right? But
how does this report come here? First is an
order introduced by the gentleman from Hart
ford, (Mr. Alley) that the tax of towns BIZ
entirely removed, and the entire school tax,
amounting to five mills on dollar, be thrown
upon the State. like this honesty in the
gentleman, for he says exactly what he
means. He wants the State to pay the whole
amount, and he says so. What do our gen.
tlemen educators say? They propose but one
mill increase of State tax and to Diminish
the town tax to sixty cents per capita.
One mill last winter, one mill this, the
third mill next, and so on, and you get the
five mills at last. 1t is like the Dutchman's
dog, which he loved so much And when he
cut his tail off, to improve his appearance. he
cut it off by degrees, an inch at time in order
to spare his LILLE dog the pain of severiug his
caudal appendage all at once.
The committee on education consists of ten
members, and of those ten, seven voted TO let
matters remain as they are now. But three
voted to increase the tax. This committee
have heard all the arguments pro and con,
have weighed the matter carefully, and the
report of the majority should have weight
with you, especially as the House members
of the committee stand six to one opposed to
any increase of the mill tax.
l wish to say q word to the gentlemen Of
the rural districts. l have never, while sit
ting here, heard the gentlemen from the
cities or villages called upon, but whenever
a member wants to carry measure through,
he always addresses the gentlemen of the
rural districts. Let me speak to you now.
Let US consider this as a matter of policy,
matter of dollars and cents. The
constitution Of Maine provides that "the
legislature is authorized, and it shall be their
duty to require the several towns to make
suitable provision, at their oWn erpsRSs, for
the support and maintenance OF public
schools" l will not venture to declare what
is constitutional or what is not; but know
there are grave doubts whether the mill tax
is constitutional.
Well,the Superintendent Of common schools
has issued printed opinion in favor of the
constitutionality Of this law. Why does he
say anything about it? Is he the legal ad-
visor of the State? Does he discuss the con-
stitutionality of any other law: Why this
attempt to prove the law in accordance with
the constitution, if there be no doubt about it !?
The attempt prores the doujt; and now for
my point. The larger towns are not unwil-
ling to help the country, and they are not 60
ing to be mean abou. this tax of one mill
The city Of Portland has not objected TO it.
1t is year since that law went on to the
statute books, yet no legal steps have been
taken against it. Cities and large towns have
paid their tax willingly; but if you double
the amount you take from them, then they
will say, "it is time to test this case" They
take the question to the Supreme Court, and
it is my firm belief, the decision will be that
the tax is unconstitutional then where is,
your one mill? l ask you members of the
rural districts, is it policy to put on another
mill at this time, carrying the question into
litigation, and running the risk of having it
decided unconstitutional? Is not ga bird in
the hand worth two in the BUSH" one mill in
the pocket worth two in litigation?
To get good view of this mill tax, you
must take it a it stands in connection with
other measures. 1t is only one of whole
bunch of schemes that have been flung in up
on US winter after winter, by a few gentle
men educators in this State. What is the
whole scheme they have here?
First, grand educational head centre
the State Superintendent. Next, a subordi-
nate head centre in every county-the county
Supervisors. What next? 1t is to take away
your superintendents Of common schools, and
put in one man, town supervisor in every
town. What next? Break down your districts
and give the supervisor supreme control over
the whole town. What next? Compulsory
education, which heartily rejoice you gen.
tlemen Of the rural districts voted down yes.
terday, and hope every man of you that vot-
ed that down, will vote down this other part
of the same scheme, the mill tax. What
next? State uniformity oftext books. ask
you if this is not scheme of Capitalization.
But this is only for educational purposes you
say; true, but as far as it goes is it not CEN
tralization? And who knows whether this
system will always be used simply in the
cause of education! One of these days
our worthy superintendent of common schools
whom l honor for his zeal and ability, will re-
tire, and political intriguer perchance, may
take his place, and what machinery have you
not at his disposal, a machinery for central
ization, by means Of which every family in
Maine eau lie reached swiftly and surely
through the agents of the central power at
the capital? Suppose you build the most ex-
cellcnt water power mill with the most ap-
proved machinery by the side of a stream, and
the river is dry. Does your mill move? Is
there any activity there? Put the water pow
or to your water wheel, and the mill goes.
Give the mill tax, and there is power which
shall set this whole machinery of ccntraliza-
ton in motion. Vote this increase, and
another will be asked. The two mill tax will
amount to 10000, to be distributed over the
State. feel myself that we must have State
officers to disburse State money. Though