Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-21

door flower garden and pleasure ground.
To-day there will be an exhibition OF fruits IN
Room No. "A, together with a discussion on varle-
ties, ard the transaction CT other business of a
routine character
The Railroad Tax.
The judiciary Committee gave hearing yester-
day afternoon in the Hall Of the House on the Or
der proposing legislation to enforce the payment
of tie tax assessed upon certain railroads under
the act of last year. \ large number of members
were in attendance. Hon. \. p. Morrill,, Pres
ident Of the Maine Central Railroad Co., first all
dressed the Committee. He said that the Com
pany did not ask to be released from paying, a
cent Of tax legally due from it to the State. The
directors held that the law of 1874 was IN violation
of an express contract between the State and the
Andloscoggin d kennebec from which the Name
Central obtains its powers. This contract provides
that the company shah undertake vast work for
the good Of the State condition that 1t shall be
granted certain privileges, among which are the
right to take and hold real estate, to be free from
taxation on its road bed and its strip OF land SIN
rods wide through the country. The company
had performed Its part Of the contract TO the let
ter. Mr.. Morrill, then proceeded to criticisc the
position taken by Gov. DEgley in his address rel
alive to railroads and the enforcement OF the pay
ment of the tax. He thought the Governor could
not have read the contract IN the charter granted
by the Legislature or else he could not have so
erred in respect thereto. Gov. Morrill, then read
extracts from the charter comforting certain pow
crs upon the Company. The first section pro-
vides that the company shall take property for a
road bed the fifth confers upon 1t the right 10
purchase other real estate winch Is taxed IN the
towns where il is located is also the stock owned
by individuals. Sectisn fifteen specially provides
that no property cl the company except mat set
forth in section five shall be taxed until ten per
cent is divided on the stock OF the company. Sec
ton seventeen further provides that the chaitcr
shall not be annulled, amended, abridged OF IN
any way altered by any future legislature. In
view OF these provisions Mr. Morrill, claimed that
the Legislature had no right IN equity or IN law 10
tax the Name Central except az before PROVIDED.
He noticed at some length the language OF the
Governor and held that it was unjust to the orgl-
majors of the Maine Central to say that the COM
panvs charter was obtained by any improper in
fiuence which might be styled continuance or
that the Legislature was deceived. Such charters
were granted every year when asked Tor without
any continuance. The people OF -Aroostook would
hail such a continuance, if II would secure them
railroad. To adopt the suggestions OF the tower
nor would result in the stopping OF all railroad eX-
tension because no one would engage in them
when they are at the mercy OF the Legislature 10
such an extent that contracts would be huilheu'
To deaden railroad enterprise Is to stop the deVel-
opmcnt Of the state. lie pointed out what the
Maine Central had done for Lewiston & Auburn:
lie regretted that this language had been used
because Ii woJld prejudice the people against the
railroad. He had hoped the State could make up
Il case and 90 to the courts where the company
was anxious to join issue. Why this unusual law I
Why not treat the company fairly? The directors
did rot defy the authority of the state. Why then
treat them rs public enemies lie trusted the
Committee would report III favor of the repeal OF
the act of last year.
Hon. j. W. Bradbury followed in u few peril
nent remarks in which he enforced the provisions
f,I,, ,bor Of Sl1 relative n with
great force.
Hon Josiah Crc-by OF D1xter then presented
the case of the Newport a Dexter X. r., showing
that il was exempt by special act of 1900 from
any kind Of taxation and also by ITS charter winch
is like the Maine Central which by the decisions
of the federal courts is regarded as a contract.
Maine state Agricultural Society.
The annual meeting of this society was held
yesterday forenoon at the State House. The
meeting was called to order by the President, Ru-
fus Prince of Turrer. The Secretary, Samuel
WATSON, read the call for the meeting
The question of the location Of the next fair
was taken up.
Maj Dill said that when he came through Lew
iston Yesterday he CHANGED to meet with several
of the prominent citizens, and they wanted more
time, so that definite arrangements could he made
about the grounds payment of the lease for the
last year, etc.
Gen. 1lon suggested that the matter of loca-
ton was properly in the hands Of the Trustees,
and it was voted that the Trustees have charge OF
and arrange the whole matter.
On motion of Mr.. Durham OF Bangor, 1t was vo-
ted that the Trustees be requested to decide upon
the time of holding the fair by the 10th of March,
so that there shall be no conflict with the county
societies.
The matter of extending an invitation to the y.
+. Society to hold the show in connection with
the next exhibition Of the State society, was taken
up.
Gen. Titon of Togus said that he had attended
the meeting of the \. f. Society in Boston, the
he thought it would be unwise to invite the socie-
tv here this year. He would now say that he
thought our finances were not in condition to
encourage us to extend an invitation.
Mr.. Durham thought it would be better to hold
the fair separately this year.
On motion of Gen. Tilton,
"Voted, That we do not deem it cNpedient to
invite the y. +. fair at present.
The proposition to ask the legislature for state
stipend was taken up.
Mr.. Dill had been i'll favor OF asking for help
from the State, but sharp sticks are being stuck
into all the expenditures, he thought perhaps 1T
would be better for the society to 'Stand on It's
own bottom" and "paddle its own canoe
Mr.. Durham thought that the very fact that
''sharp sticks" are being used should move the
farmers to assert their rights
Mr.. Dill and Mr.. Percival both related former
unsuccessful efforts to procure State aid, and
thought that as the society was now in good con-
dition, financially and Notwithstanding property
more than enough to pay all its debts, it would be
better not to beg from the State.
Gen. Titon rather conceded with these views,
but before making his mind up fully desired to
know the condition OF the society financially.
Il. f. Hamilton, ESD, of Biddeford, thought
that the success of the society would help in ask
ing for further stipend. Our legislators should be
proud of the opportunity to assist the society and
enable it to increase its premiums. Individual
begging he did not like, and thought it was an in
jury to the society Ask man to give ten dollars,
and he will expect to have tickets for himself
family and all his wife's relations, down to the
tenth generation. Didn't believe the farmers OF
the legislature so stupid as TO go back on THEN
own interests. The demand of the farmers Of the
State should be recognized. Thought VIC should