The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-02-18
The Mill Tax.

The following extracts are taken from the
remarks of w. w. Thomas, Jr., ESQ.,, on the
expediency of increasing the "school mill tax"
last Thursday:
MIR. SPEAKER:-I think the House will bear
me witness that have not trigged the wheels
of legislation by any word of mine during the
session; and should not make any remarks at
the present time, were it not my conviction
that would be recreant to duty were to al
low to pass unchallenged, such q measure as is
proposed by this minority report. The subject
of this mill tax is a novel one. Prior to 1872,
each town raised an amount prescribed by law
for school purposes, and every town expended
the money SO raised within its own borders.
ffThis amount was equal to 81 for each indi-
vidual in the town. Then came up the propo-
sition that the whole State be taxed for schools
and that this money be distributed throughout
the whole State. Well, gentlemen, if the
property in the State in every town were taxed
a 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 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
another rule, and that rule works the inequal-
ty. While the city of Portland pays, in round
numbers, under this mill tax, the sum of $780,
600 for the support of schools it receives hack
t
loss OF $4,000. Other towns in the State nav
but a small amount of this mill tax, RECEIVING
in return thrse or four dollars for every one that
is paid out And law that works in this wav
pronounce an unjust, unequal, and .oppress-
i've 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 proposition of the minority of
the committee on education to double up on it.
Is it not just and expedient to test this matter
before we go further? All the majority of the
committee asks, is to let the mill tax stand as it
is, until it can have. at least, one 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 Hartford, (Mr Alley)
that the tax of towns be 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 ex-
actly what he means. He wants the State to
pay the whole amount, and he says so. What
do our gentlemen educators sey? They propose
but one mill increase of State tax and to di-
minish the town tax to sixty ceuts per capita
One mill last winter, one mill this, the third
mill next, and so Oh, and you get the five mills
| at last.
| 1 wish to say word to the gentlemen of the
rural districts. l have never, while sitting
| here, heard the gentleman from the cities OF
| villages called upon, but whenever member
wants to carry measure through, he always
addresses the gentlemen of the rural districts.
Let me speak to you low. Let us consider this
as matter of policy, matter of dollars and
cents The constitution of Maine provides that
ssthe legislature is authorized, and it shall be
their duty to require the several towns to make
suitable provision at their 0lon expense, for the
support and maintenance of public schools"
will not venture to declare what is constitu-
tional or what is not; but l know there are
grave doubts whether the mill tax is constitu-
tional.
Well, the Superintendent of common schools
has issued a printed opinion in favor of the
constitutionality of this law. Why does he
saw ANYTHING about it? Is he the legal adj
visor of the State? Does he discuss the con-
stitutonality of any other law? Why this
attempt to prove the law in accordance with
the constitution, if there be no doubt about it?
ne attempt proues the doubt; and now Tor my
Po pom The larger towns are not unwilling to
map,, .,e country, and they are not going to be
Portla%m1Souu t This tax of one mill. The city OF
since that mas Ino not objected to it. 1t is year
vet no len.i went on to the statute books,
Cities and l. steps have been taken against it.
willingly. N.Y. towns have paid their tax
take from them =, you double the amonnt Won
to test the CASE 'en they will say, st is time
the Supreme Conrt and i; lake the question to
the decision will be that the my my hrm belief,
euIiohal, tnen Where is YOUR owl 80 Is uuconSti-
you members OF the rural distr;ntsm mil? l ask
to put ON another mill at this ti na Is 1t policy
the question into litigation, and neesarrying
FISK OF having 1T decided unconst;tnt;g inc
Is not "a bird in the hand worth two j., a.
bush,' one mill in the pocket worth two W. 'i !.
! litigation? WV