Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-01-18
Taxation.

Taxation l. the one subject Of universal aud NJ
tai interest % the people Of this State IL will n
c,iYe from Won, doubt not. that earnest aiten-
ton which IL, supreme importance demands. !
wish il were permitted me 20 say THAI none ut our
people were oppressed hy debt aud taxation. that
none looked a. the future with gloomy turclri-
lugS. seeing no way out ui tAc tolls 81 drf anu
taxation; that none, under the weight al the>r
burdens, either >uCCumtvd 10 despair or lett Their
homes To Try their fortunes ~ new country but.
rather, that all were prosperous. ccuirnicd and
happy. /, would D. far NOR acrccablt 20 iue
aud more in accordance With the customary iau-
.suAge OF this OCCASION
The truth j., the pcupl, OF hi, State arr op-
pressed by the burden, they bVar,-ihr burden,
vi debt and taxation. Taxation iAlls heavily Oh
some because IL do,, not tall equally upon All.
Too Large a proportion 81 the public hur!cu,
ials upon rral estate. Ihi- /, especially true ui
the farming interests. Ia, property ui The farmer,
10th ral and personal. D, All visible aui exposed
Ia assessment Beside. uu aCcuunt l' taken 81
lis mortcarp,. though Li. farm NAV lr mort
zaged Tor all that % j, worth. 10 approximate
the truth. 90 ,ay thar uou, 81 h. property c,caI--
taxation 'aouurlng % The Ju,t value thereof.
Of thi> the farmer du--> not complain. hut Whru
other CLASSES % properly, Boo vast amounts, ar
permitted 90 escape taxation. in whpic "r pari, ht
ducs complain AM la, ughi 9" complain
Of the Injustice 81 h., government.
fur he 8, thus uadc Ca bear, not
his own hurlcns only, hut th, burdens ui others.
This j. injustice. Taxation and projection an
reciprocal. Il !, the spirit oi our Institution 90
u equal A. well a. free; equal rights and squad
ixnchts equal protection and equal burdens
special privilege, to none.
IL will deyolyc upon Won. the legislative branch
Of the government, 10 devise and pursue such
measures of relief from unequal taxation a. shall
seem 20 YOU the most appropriate. IL VIII IL
your pleasure ~ we'll - your duty, doubt not,
10 reduce the current expenses Of the govern
ment, il IL can be done hv the practice ui st.
Nrre not par>imOnious, economy.
But il i not in the economical expenditure oi
The public revenue, 80 much IN seeking ne"
sources of revenues and in Cquallklns the bur
,lrps of taxation, that YOU will Dc able Ia CON-
pass such reforms and such relief n VIII gladden.
the hearts and cheer the hopes Of our people
The public burdens arr unequally borne. When
all the property in the State i reached and taxed
~ real estate and all property OF farmers 'accor-
ding 10 the lust value thereof, the rate OF taNa-
ton will d. reduced Onc-halt. Then Will taxa
non fall lightly and be- borne CheeTiully, because
IL will fall equally upon ALL True II i, that aoso-
lutte equality in taxation can never he a'taiheu.
A disprupOrtionate share of the public burdens
will ALWAYS he thrown on certain kinds OF prop
ertv because they are visible and tangible The
hest system 20 he sought i that which, IN H.
practical operation, approNimaics nearest I"
equality.
Exemptions.
The legislature in IL discretion, mas AWAY eN-
errised the power Of eNempting certain KINDS oil
nropertv from taxation. On the theory that taN-
anon and protection are reciprocal no exemptions
an he defended. A. all property receives the
equal protection Of the Laws, all should be made
10 bear its prOportionate share OF the public bur
den. The exemption OF any species OF property.
j. no, equal taxation and can only be defended
-, ,be Ground of a subsidy: for il is the same
hing a. granting 10 the OWueTs Of the exempted
nruIsrty a considerable sum out of the public
treasury.
Money at Interest.
Whie there Is a large amount OF property IN
m. state exempt by law from taxation, an