Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-02-04
TIE LISTING SYSTEM.
An Intsrsstiok Hearing Before the
Taxation Committee.

One of the most interesting bearings of
the session, and the forerunner of many
more, Was that held before the committee
on taxation in Representative Hall last
evening. The subjects to be considered
were State ASSESSORS income tax and poll
tax.
Chairman Spear called upon Judge Hall.
chairman of the tax commission, who was
present to speak. Judge Hall said that he
did not come there 20 advocate any pet the.
DRY and WAS there simply by invitation and
would answer any questions that might be
asked. If he could give any aid from the
information he might have obtained while
acting on the tax commission he would he
glad to do so. Being inquired of by the
members of the committee with regard to
the listing system in other states, he gave
some facts touching the system as in oper-
alton in New Hampshire, Vermont aud
Ohio 1t had been shown conclusively that
this system had largely increased the val
us,ion in these states that in Vermont most
especially, from Inquiries made of the State
board of assessors, collectors and business
men the law was found 10 be efficient in
accomplishing the purposes for which it
was int nded. There wasn't another state
in the whole Union that had its state vslua-
lions so far apart as Maine. In all other
states excepting Ohio. In these states
the board. appointed for these purposes are
chosen all the way from one to five years,
mostly biennially. Judge Hall then showed
by figures the injustice brought to certain
parts of the State by delaying valuations
for ten years.
Hon. Warren Vintoa followed Judge
Hall with general remarks on the subject
Of taxation ana introduced discussion of
the income tax with special reference to
salaries.
| The farmers must have relief, and he
u'ged upon the committee that the burdens
be lifted from the shoulders of those who
have borne them so long. The trouble is
| in listing the farms. There is the house,
the farm, the stock, even the rocks that the
assessor can see. The assessor has no
trouble in listing this property. It's the
stocks and bonds that evade taxation.
Hon. J. l.. Crosby, collector and treas
urer of Bangor, was then called upon. lie
believed that under any law it will remain
| necessary for the assessor to do his duty.
refer to the harden Of salaries and he be-
| ltNtu tuht tuib law ~ pun Au Nouli
devclve increased duties upon the assessor
and conse quent increase OF pay.
Believed in getting the best men for as
SCISSORS and that they shonld receive ade-
quate compensation for it. While the
agricultufist is in one sense the fouodltion
of the good character of the State. he ies
not usually carry great amount of money
But we, who are sslxrisd men, have to pay
| 81, l.; n ba So, has
a good part OF our salaries. The farmer
should be taxed on his income as much as
The salariei man. Mr.. Crosby was willing
for one to rry the listing law. He gave
Illustrations Of how the law would in some
cases work hardship upon persons who
were not accustomed to evade tsxation, and
those who are might continue to 90 on as
heretofore.
SCISSOR he should pray to be relieved of all
the burden of exercising discretion.
A. NJ. Goddard, Esq was called upon.
He said he came to listen ard wasn't pre-
pared to speak. He expressed the opinion
those of the judges, are ridiculously
small. Regarding the listing system,
there is need of supervising
| DUAIu Ot slatS fsseeeot5' HuSI tHc
present state valuation there is lack OF
of responsibility and each member repre-
sents county constituency instead or
80 .oa as ,a',',a ~. 49,
.ua. nv, un =, ,"u. ~, pop.'H
ne" ~ ,s 49," r. 49, 10.
pnp '.. " "" s.;Iasa "' f'
IN .H'e e. az pu,i";,, T., ,,; :, TACO,
of the income tax
He would exempt perhaps the first $1,000.
On the next $1,000 light income tax which
he would increase as the income increased.
No matter if the salaried men lived up to
their income tax, il the farmer lives up to
his income it matters not, he has to pay his
tax If it takes the last COW. Would put the
school tax upon the State. He would also
relieve the municipalities.
Judge Hall said the question was one
that they had struggled with. The
commission bad heard the cogent argument
of Mr.. Burleigh before them. The theory
was u good one, but didat work in prac
tise. In the whole state of Virginis, which
has an income tax, only SIG 900 was raised,
not enough o pay for the collection. Why
should the man with salary pay q tax upon
it more than the lawyer on his fees? The
saiaried man doesn't pile his salary up dol.
lar or dollar, bat he invests it, and the pro-
posed law would bring it out