Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-01-28
FARMERS ON TAX REFORM.
Text of the Platform Adopted ut the
Grange Meeting in Maine.

rual convention held last month IN
Skowhegan. adopted the following man
ifesto relative to taxation:
The claim that the farmers OF the
country as class are at present bearing
an unjust and undue amount of the bur-
den of taxation is one that needs NO
argument, and must be admitted by all.
The farmers property, both real and
personal. is of character that can be
readily seen and is open to inspection,
valuation and assessment. 1t is not
necessary to claim that farm property is
overvalued.
Let it be conceded that it is rated at a
fair and Just valuation. yet. if many
other kinds of property are greatly I'M
dervalued, and still other kinks not val
ued at all for purposes of taxation, it is
evident to all that great injustice is
done to the farming class. This injus-
tice. it is the duty of the people them
selves to correct by proper legislation.
The farmers of Maine should look for
no aid in this direction from capitalists
or corporations. who are selfshly inter-
ested to reduce their own taxation to
the lowest possible limit. or from those
who seek to conceal the investments OF
their surplus wealth from the eye OF the
assessor. Whatever relief we are to OBJ
tain must be secured by the persistent
and combined action OF farmers thenl-
selves.
The first and most important point
necessary under any just system OF tax
alton is fair and equitable valuation OF
all the property in the state. TO this
end the appointment of state board OF
assessors is step in the right direction,
and is in line with the recommendations
made by the state Grange at it's last an
nual session. The organization Of the
board is yet too vacant to admit OF any
fair Judgment as to the efficiency OF its
work. but the result OF its labor during
the past year certainly proves the ne
cessity Of some change in our laws to the
end that the valuation placed upon the
several classes Of property may be pro-
portionately equal and uniform through
out all portions Of the state. In this
connection we would recommend that
the state Grange use its influence to Sc
cure the passage Of u law requiring the
listing of all property. with adeqUat
penalties for it's violation.
While we recognize the immense bene-
fits derived by all classes from the rail
road systems of our state, yet we submit
that the capital invested in these enter
priscs is not under our present law
bearing it's Just proportion of the burden
of taxation. We would not seek to Grip
pie new roads or to handicap by excessive
taxation any legitimate enterprise seek-
ing foothold in the state.
For this reason we would recommend
that the tax laws be so amended that the
levy shall be made upon all railroads IN
proportion to their gross earnings. the
percentage Of taxation to be increased as
the volume Of gross earnings erlarges.
By this means new roads and roads CT
small earning capacity would not be TN
duly brirdened. and at the same time the
amount received from the railroad cor
porations Of the state would be increased
to something near its just and equitable
proportion.
In view Ct the fact that much capital
escapes taxation by being distributed
among the savings banks of the state.
we would recommend that the tax on
the deposits and securities of all savings
banks and trust companies in this state
be increased TO per cent. The argu-
lnent that many widows and orphans
seek this mode of investment for the lit
tie capital upon which they rely for sup
port is of course worthy Of considera-
ton. but on the other hand it must not