Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-04

The joint special committee Of the Legis
lature on State Valuation had protracset
hearing yesterday afternoon. The commit
tee have been DESTROYS to obtain all the light
bearing upon the subject. and accordingly
gentlemen of experiences have presented
their views before the committee.
Henry Ingalls,, Esq. appeared before the
committee Yesterday afternoon. He was in
favor of the Legislature entering at once
upon the work, and not putting it off longer.
In order to abide by the spirit of the consti-
| tuition the valuation should be made this
year. He was in favor of commission of
| one from each county, and thought there
would be no combination of the small coun-
ties against the larger. The committee
could divide into subcommittee, and per-
form the work thoroughly He would have
the commission nominated by the delega-
! tons from the several counties and elected
on joint ballot of the Legislature, or ap-
pointed BY the Governor. He would give
them whatever clerical force they desired.
Mr.. Ingalls, presented a series of resolutions
embracing his views on the subject.
II.
general features of the valuation had changed
since the last valuation was taken. There
are large manufacturing interests to be taken
into account. which did not then exist. The
owners of wild lands will be here in force
to present their claims and urge low valua-
ton. The work can undoubtedly be greatly
simplified by classification. He would put
in resolve declaring the valuation of 1870
the valuation for this year, and appoint
commits sion of FIVE, one from each Congress
sional district, and perhaps two at large. and
set them at work upon just and true valua-
ton. They could make the valuation and
report to the next Legislature. He presented
a series of resolutions expressing his views.
Resolutions were also presented, drawn by
Mr.. Strout, favoring small commission.
Mr.. Dingley of the committee thought the
true way to come at the matter was by a
commission. \ committee of the Legisla-
ture would clog a commission in their work.
1t would be utterly impossible for any COM
mission to give hearings to towns and make
up the valuation and report before the adj
journment of this Legislature.
Messrs. Halves, Nickerson, Verrill and
Parker of the committee, also expressed
their views.
Mr.. Hale was called in for a few minutes
and said he believed the committee
and the Legislature should move in the mat
ter at once. The committee should launch
at once whatever proposition they may agree
upon, and let the Legislature decide what to
do. He believed that a large commission
would, upon the whole, be the most satisfac
tory. The commission should begin its Ia
bors at once, and during the session the
members could represent before it the in
terests of their several localities.
The committee then voted to report to the
Legislature, in substance, Mr.. Hatch's re-
solves, providing for the appointment by the
Governor of commission of seven-one
from each Congressional district and two at
large-who should meet at once at the capt.
tol and prepare just and true valuation of
the State property, and report to this Legis-
lature; provided, such valuation should be
completed during the present session, and
otherwise to report to the Legislature of
1881. The pay and clerkships are to be here
after determined upon. The committee are
nearly evenly divided on the question Of the
number of the commissioners. and there will
be minority report, but on all other points
they are agreed.