The Portland daily press., 1891-02-04
A Word Of Warning.

When the legislature turns its attention to
the taxation question 1t is to be hoped that
Its members may be able to lay aside all
prejudice and prepare measure founded on
equity and calculated to promote the general
welfare Of the State. What Maine needs
above all other things to enable her to take
the place In the Union that her natural re-
sources entitle her to Is capital for their de-
velopment. We want more railroads, We
want more steamboat lines, and more facto-
ries to give employment to labor. The hope
Of the farmer Of this State lies In better ia
cilities for getting his products to markets
and more home demand for his products--in
other words, in more lines of communica-
tion and more communities that do not raise
their own subsistence, but depend upon him
to supply 1t. The most f0urishing sgricul-
tural district In Maine today is the county of
Aroostook, but Ar0ostook Is suffering for
want Of communication and lack of markets
for its products. Indeed the need OF these
things is so fully understood by the ARGOS
took farmers that they have petitioned the
legislature to allow their towns to mortgage
themselves to furnish that indispensable
requisite to their future prosperity, a rail-
road line connecting them with other parts
Of the State and with other States. Other
parts of the State are also suffering. perhaps
not SO severely, from lack of railroad out
lets. Though. we are not able to agree with
the Hon. J. 81. Manley as to the method by
which he would supply the State with rail-
roads, we quite agree with him that the
State is handicapped in the race for business
and wealth by lack Of railroads and other
means of transportation. While our legis-
lators are all fully cognizant of Names
needs, some Of them may be in danger of for
getting that these, needs can only be SUD
piled by capital, and that capital can only be
brought to this State and kept here by as
surfing to 1t fair and honest treatment. It
seems SO absurd for men to extend one
hand to welcome capital, and at the same
time raise the other to strike it down,
that were it not for the teachings
Of experience, one would feel certain that
such condition could not exist. But we all
know that nothing is more common than for
a state which needs capital above all things
and which too is well aware of its need, to
go to work through its Legislature and erect
barriers to keep out this very capital which
1t wants and is seeking. The state OF Iowa
is conspicuous example of a state needing
capital and wanting capital. deliberately
setting to work through its legislature to
drive 1t off. What we want to warn our leg
islators against is any action that will be
likely to drive capital off or prevent 1t from
coming here. We want them to close their
ears TO the demagogic shout that ,all capital
lists are robbers. that they fare always To he
viewed with suspicion. and that system Of
taxation should be arranged with view IN
making the rich come down handsome,v
Ihis is not saying that any favors should be
shown to individuals or corporations Of large
possessions, 1t is only saying that they should
be treated fairly. and that no demagogic ap-
peal to their prejudice should be listened 10.