Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-03-21

Continued from LIST page. !

assertion IL that they can move to Massa
chuseits, or anywhere else, il they choose
They can. And if they move from the
state it is practically II loss to the State.
will state what know of the Bath SAVINGS
Bank deposit to show how easily proper Y
can 20 out Of the STATE. This 81 900 i,
owned by large number of persons. II i.
controlled in trust in such way that il can
g. out of This State just IS easy
As check can be drawn, out OF
the reach Of The taxation Of the
State of Maine or aey~here else
Ii is nov in the Bath Savings bsnk aud
the State realizes tax of three fourth per
cent. That is only an illustration Of The
point which | make in relation to thu
d shtiress and the ease wi h which money
takes Wigs and escapes taxation. ( DO
mt wish 10 eLtrr into this argument NJ all
Fhe gentleman locked At The law in an er :
tirely different ~ay and have simply TO
-snew NV motion which made.
NJ. Wsdliu OF Wsido:
M. President and Geauemea of The
SenGte
There is Widespread feeling OF dissatis
faction and discohtent in regard to the cub
ct of taxation. There 10 q feeiiog that
the burdens of tax,tion are unequally
borne. This idea prevails more excessive
iy among farmers, mechanic, iaborers and
holders Of small estates. II PREVAILS among
those whose property from the nature Of
thiogs i, visible, ard consequently always
placed on the assessors list for the pur.
pose Of tsIssion. The people are com
planning and complaining bitterly. Gentle
men, from observation and experience |
know there is just cause for complaint and
[ trust my observation and experience are
net d fferers from 9TH men. Blu. in or
der 10 more fully convince you / wish
20 call your attention to several
distinguished citizens OF our state
erssion, In 1874, II years ago, Nelson
D!ngley, Jr.. then Governor of Maine,
called the at.fntioa Of the Legislature to
this fact. Here lie what he says: Without
indicating in detail what sources of rev.-
nue. may be available to this State. desire
70 call your attention to the subject Of tex
alton. AID to suggest careful ilqliry and
investigation. with q vieS # devisinQ
methods Of lifting some portion Of the bur
den of taxation from real estate. Such a
policy would give needed encouragement
TO our agricultural interests and promote
the development of the resources of the
State /, 1873, this very nexs yesr, among
other things, Goverao, Diagley said: 81
earnestly hope that you will con-
tinue to press forward measures looking
such q system Of taxation - will tend To
eqaAiize the public bafdsns. The sversge
rate Of taxation upoa reat estate snd farm
property for series Of years has no: teen
less thsa 2 per cent During the same
time very large proportion Of the &C
cumuiated capital Of the State has been
virtually exempt from all assessments
Probably more thsu one hundred million,
OF the accumulated wealth of ,hi, State 10
invested in mortgages, rsilroad. municipal.
county and State bonds, or deposited in,
savings banks, and is would seem but an
acs Of justice 10 enscs such laws, if prsc,;-
cal, - will compel the holders of such
property TO bear their jast proportion of
the pubic burj. rs" In 1850 Cav. Davis
said, The burdens of taxAuoa press hsav-
lily on the people. Every species OF prop
ersy, whether owned by individuals o,
corporations should bear lite pars of the
public burdens. II there is any properly
In the State not yet reached BY the Il K
gaiherer or which does pa, teae its protor.
innate part it is yous province to ascertain
s6ss fact AID make suca changes in the
Laws rs mag be necessary."
Let Us see vhss Gov. Pasted said in
1881.
"roo large pro portion Of the public
burdens fall upon rtal estate. Til, is
especially true OF all farm peopefts. The
property Of the fNmsr is all visAble and
txsgs-d to sesessreht"
Ia 1888 Gov Robbie fo.loss in the same
stain. He ssJs woaid suggest shas the