Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-03-08
Remarks q Mr.. Freeman Of Cherryaeld
In House of Representa- March .th, on the bill
to exempt mining property from taxation.

s~->~~>~---
The only objection the gentleman from
Belfast raises to this bill is that it is uncon-
stitutional did not know there was any
question as to the right of the Legislature to
pass this bill. 1t is matter that has been
settled by our highest tribunal in number
of cases and is not now a mooted question.
do not think there is any disagreement
among lawyers in regard to it. 1t is uncon-
stitutional to exempt from taxation one kind
of property in a town and tax the same kind
in another; to exempt from taxation portion
of a certain kind of real and personal estate
and tax the rest; or for the legislature to
delegate that right to towns or any corpora
ton. The law As laid down in the case of
the Brewer Brick Co. VS.. Brewer, 62 Maine,
and reaffirmed in subsequent cases. is appli-
cable TO the case before us.
The court saws 1.-THE legislature NAV de-
termine the amount of taxation and select
the object. They may exempt by general
and uniform laws certain descriptions of
property from taxation and lay the burden OF
supporting government elsewhere. Ii is for
the legislature to determine upon what sub
ject matter taxation shall be imposed, upon
land upon loans, sc; but the subject matter
once fixed the rule is general and applies to
all property within its provisions. So il may
relieve certain species of property from tax
alton; but upon the non-exempted estate the
taxation must be uniform as the exceptions
are uniform. Be-
The bill now under consideration simply
makes certain what was somewhat doubtful
before in the Interpretation of the law as il
stands upon our statutes, that the works
necessary to develope a mine were exempt
from taxation for 10 years. The mine is
already exempt Tee real estate and all
buildings and property situated thereon not
necessary for the development of the mine
are to be taxed, the same all property in
the immediate vicinity. We in the East are
deeply interested in the success of this
mining business, and are watching with strong
hopes and earnest desire that the efforts now
being made by mining companies may ulti-
mately prove successful. laundering in
times past has been the great business
of the East, but it is now fast decreasing.
Whole forests have fallen before the axe in
the sinewy hands of the chopper, and fires
have swept over other large tracts and de-
stroyed more timber than the axe; and now
we are looking with anxious eyes and earnest
hearts for some great business interest to
spring up and take its place ,atfording employ
ment to our citizens and keeping our young
men bat home who are seeking their fortunes
in other States and lands.
Thousands and tens OF thousands of dollars
have been expended in hard, honest mining
in this State within the past three years.
Nearly two millions of dollars have been paid
out within that time, if am right from sta
tistics that | have gathered from various
sources, in the endeavor to find within the
bowels of the earth the means of new and
permanent industry which will employ our
laborers and bring capital into the State.
One company has descended by force
of muscle and steel and powder and steam
over 400 feet vertically in the solid rock.
Several have sunk shafts between 200 and
800 feet, and at least one half mile of drifts
have been made in the aggregate and hun
dreds of men are employed and are paid at
good wages, and the hope expands and pros
pect brightens, that the time is not far dis
tant when some of them will prove valuable.
If but one mine is found rich in mineral
wealth, it will eventually bring millions upon
millions of dollars into the State. do not
exaggerate; the experience of the past will
warrant the assertion. The money so far
expended has already increased the popula-
ton in several towns, and doubled and trebled
the business in at least two towns in one
county, said toibe, ''dead" before, and it has
sent the life blood throbbing through every
artery of trade and business in those towns,
and they are now important business centres
in the county.
MANY, are prejadieed against all mining
companies because in the start there sprung
up shadowy and wildcat corporations swind
ling the people, but chiefly bleeding the citi-
zens of other States, while many of our own
suffered; but they were exposed and crushed
out, and to prevent their future resurrection
or recurrence the severest penalties should
be imposed to punish such crimes. But you
Il. l..
business or profession, and instead of legis-
lating to punish the business or profession
we should enact laws to punish those guilty
of fraud and crime in every business, en-
ployment or department of life. The policy
of the State has been liberal
one towards all new enterprises, and
towards this. Let it continue to be so until
the experiment is fully tried. The money
flowing like water from the pocket of the
capitalist to prosecute this enterprise and
which feeds and clothes the laborer and his
family does no harm. Those who expend
it may never get it back, may never see it
again, but they are willing to run that risk
for the hope of future great reward or to
aid in developing and building up the
business of the State. 1t matters not what
our opinion may be of the result If nothing
comes of it. no harm is done. If metals of
value W WOah AZ pfont lOuhu, % thcit
is now strong evidence that there is, then our
State, or large section of it will receive an
impetus that will increase our population,
build up our towns and villages, find employ
ment for the laborer, and bring just
recOmpense to those whose efforts
have been crowned with success.
Do not then lay heavy hand up
on this enterprise in its inception, until those
engaged in it begin to strike balance in
their favor. then tax them, then they can af-
ford to pay such a tax as will Tighten the bur-
dens of others. Now the burdens of the
people are not increased by the exemption.
Ii is little the friends of this bill ask of US.
We are asked simply to exempt from taxation
for a time the cold steel and sledges that in
the brawny hands Of the laborer work toll
lessly and tirelessly, down, down, deep into
the solid rock; that you will not tax the
machinery and roof that covers it, which
carries the workmen safely to their labor
in the dark caverns below, and brings up
to the light of day the secrets which for
ages have lain buried their This is all, only
the appliances and works by which this great
enterprise is to be develoded and established
or to be proved an unfortunate and much to
be regretted failure.
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