Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-14
NO. s8.

ilstliu.
But wish before get through with this
branch of my argument. TO call your after.
tion to this important fact They compla Z
of taxation. The gentleman who last ad-
dressed Won told YOU that there had been no
evidence that they ever made their CON-
plants known to any tribunal competent to
relieve them. They never made their griev-
ances known to any of the assessors of
the city of Roc md. They never have
appealed TO the county commissioners of
Knox county 10 relieve them from any un-
Just burdens. They never lifted a voice in
the city council against any appropriation of
which they now complain And why? Be
cause. gentlemen. they know that they are
not unequally and Hniustlv taxed. But they
say. situated as they are, they are necessarily
subjected To these burdens. | ask you 10 look
at this fact. and il is one which is decisive
OF this whole question of taxation; in the
city of Rockland, during the 26 wears that It
has existed as an organization, including
every dollar that has been raised for its rum
ming expenses. for all its schools, for its fire
department. for all its street improvements,
for all its engine houses and engines, for all
its school houses, for everything excepting
barely the city debt and the interest upon the
city debt, and the State and county taxes,
the rate of taxation has been but nine mills
On u uoiiar- a>k you gtnllcmtn. from very
small rural towns. To tell me whether you
know Of any town that is run cheap
er than thatg l know of none in my
vicinity, and l know that for two wears
past, the running expenses of Rock
land. including every thing excepting the
items which | have named has not exceeded
$ $40 mills.
Now let me call your attention to some of
the towns which have been named by the
counsel for the other side before the commit
tee and show YOU that the very towns which
they have sought out in this state as running
upon low rate of taxation. (Mr. Hall
here named large number of towns,
which had a low rate of taxation for running
expenses in 1880. also towns in Knox County
VARYING from ! mills to p mills on dollar.)
expenses was eight mills aud fivc-tenths of
mil. Those rates are "f towns surrounding
the city OF Rockland and in the county of Knox.
The first ones which have named are scat
tered IN different parts ot the state, ana nave
been selected on account of the low rate OF
taxation within those towns.
Now the argument has been put forth that
any portion of the territory comprising any
considerable portion OF population which at
any time shall ask to be Incorporated into q
town, provided they are not too weak. should
haNe thc riEht Er"hlta thcW ny 'ne bcesi"-
ture. Eentlemen. most respectfully dissent
from that proposition. IL has been held ny
the highest tribunals IN this land, ana 1t u
unnecessary Ia the presence OF the lawyers
OF this House. for me to cite any cases, that
although the Legislature has absolute control
IN the organization, the splitting ana the
annexation OF towns; yer they must always
Keep IN view one principle. that they shall
not trample upon the rights OF Others. II !"
true that portion oi population may
nave rlght TO organize asa town out they
cannot be organized by the legislature so
long as the organization OF that town wiii IN
terfere materially with the rights OF large
class OF people. ANA prejudice Is attempted
to be excitcd against cities MY frlend said
no new argument had been adduced. lie meant,
presume, that no new argument had been ad-
duced which had any impression upon his mind,
ana he is right. but there was new argn-
ment produced. ana mat was that the cities
"i the S'ate OF NAME were oiigarchles. now
an oilgarchy is an arlstocracy. appear 10
YOU gentlemen, ~ IT was not unfair for any
gentleman OF emlnence and ability to under
take to array the cities against the towns IN
this state by poisoning the mn Is OF men
against cities as oligarchies and arisfocrac'es-
The city OF Rockland an oiigarchy The
city OF kockiand was organized because It's
people desired a cry orpanlza'io". ihey
voted that II shouid he clty organ'zaiion'
IN N Al "a "a