Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-03-10
Meteorological Report.
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shall be unable to be present st the meeting
in Watefviile, to be held in the interests of
the equalization Of taxation. My old srmy
trouble sends me 70 the hospital at PortlaI d
for a surgical operation and shall be there
when your meeting is beid. Permit me TO
say thst sm thoroughly in sympathy with
the obi ects Of the meeting. If l read the
sigos of the times Alright. the days Of the
tax dodgers are numbered in Maine. With
8 Legislature, not controlled by tax dodg
ers, relief will c>me TO long suffering
com monweal,h, Push in the good work.
am with You for sill | can do IN the good
cause. Your Obt Serve,
L. +. CARLETON.
GARDINER. March 4. 1892
Hon. B, WALKER mcKEEs, secretary
State Board of Agriculture
My Dear Slf-Your cordial invitation to
be present at Waterviile March 9th, re-
ceived have delsyed answering because
| could not tell how nigh. be placed upon
ihs, day. fad row that shsll probably
have to De away, but If l am not will be
with you. am glad that you are making
efforts to have the people think for them
selves. Whenever any question affecting
the rights Of the people, and their inter-
eats, has been sgitsted, powerful influences
have been brought to bear 10 aid the rich
and powerful to the detriment Of the poorer.
Especially is this evident whenever any
question is sgitated before our Legislature !;
then you can see the Influence Of the
money of corporations. Their paid sttor
neys are on the alert to check any measure
that seems to have the appearance of equal
izing the burden of taxes. Wake the
people up and let them see what they can
do, and the question will soon be settled,
and settled right. Truly yours,
o. B. CLAsoN.
Other letters were read from L. A. Gill
bert. Edward Wiggin, Senator d. A. Wad-
lin and DR.. J. +. Hill.
After listening to the reading OF the let
ters, Hon. A.. NJ. Spear Of Gardiner was
called upon.
Mr.. Spear said it was not his purpose to
make any extended talk. His position on
the question was pretty well known, especi-
ally By those who were members Of the
committee on taxation during the last
Legislature. Like sill reforms, this had
q small beginning. II has met and still
Hftets WIN s4EEuutho upPbritiSh.
paper in the State has taken up snd scLively
sustained the position of the union. We
are fighting big odds. To secure the meas
ures Of the reform which is perfectly just,
we have undertaken big work. Bus we
are bound to succeed. | believe we Are
started in the right direction.
| came today becsuse | sm interested in
the work; feel like encouraging the un-
7 ar 7 aitap
the Importance Of this meeting to the farm
ers, | am sorry thst there is no larger
attendance There is the lack of entbus-
issm among the taxpayers that should exist.
At times during my work in the las:
Legislature. vas discouraged. We we're
At times left ail alone speak not TO crit
icise, but you haven't been used 10 the ef
forts that are necessary in putting = bill
through the Legislature. Not illegitimste
means, but the pushing and hustling that
must be done.
: Go to the Legislature and argue your
case # you would secure the ends you have
IN view. Let your representatives know
that your wishes must De respected. Fight
as hard as does the opposition. When you
do that you'll be heard Applause,
Another point. Secure unity Of action.
L mere uSs UttH iaCh Di tbIss ~ is hubVuge
fault in particular that su, h action has not
existed. Prof! By past experiences and
do not allow any lack Of unity occur again,
Sill another point We can form q
measure that will secure the rights we ask
from laws that have stood and now stand
upon the statute books. You can present
= bill absolutely impregnsbie from any
point whatever.
Mr.. Spear then noted points in the pres
eDt laws that are not beeded. He then
spoke Of the large vote upon the bill in the
last Legislature and the interest that it
aroused. 1t was good beginning.
II the farmers and small taxpayers will
mite and press their claim with the force
Of the opposition they will succeed.
The fact that the measure is not a party
issue was brought up. Republicans and
Democrats are alike Interested. Say to
your representatives if they will not do as
you wish, you'll elect others thst will.
hon. W. II. Vinton Of Gray wss tie
ne xt speaker. Said he was pleased with
the attendance taking everything into con-
siderstion. IL was enough to begin with.
The matter of repre- sentstion was brought
up. We should refuse to vote for man
unless he is right on this question, what
ever bis politics may be. Applause,
He then spoke Of opposition Of ''psid
attorneys" and "bosses" This question To-
coming before the next Legislature. The
old question will be pending the moment
the next Legislature meets. Whist we want
TO DO is to see exactly what We wan. to do
aud then go ahead and do it.
Mr. Vln,on then referred to appropria-
tions for academies passed by the last
Legislature. He favored the repeal Of the
so cent per capita tax.
| Prof. A. f, Rogers was next called. He
said that it was really 4 strange sight to see
men meeting to ask that laws already on
books should be enforced He criticised
very strongly, statements made in letters
by Judge Peters regarding the action Of
assessors in following out their duties -
| the law required.
| He then explained teohicslities Of the
law to considerable length, stating the
case in clear STRAIGHTFORWARD manner.
| Joel Richardson was the next speaker
an wss s.tentively listened to.
Il. Alden thea read a paper which was
enthusiasiically received
Benz F. Chsdoourna was the next
/ speaker. 10 order to have perfect Law we
must have listing system and then have
/ tae kind Providence come in and have
/ every mans tougue burn red hot who
shall commit lie. he favored the meet
/ ing of ASSESSORS 10 establish . uniform rate
/ OF vslusuou. Ooe town values horses At
| S24, another at sI25
This should no. b4. Every dollar .
worth Of property shod ID be taxed for its
full value, 100 cents. ! He recommended
looking q. the system OF the ASSESSORS as
/ Portland.
! NJ. L. Merrill Of st. Albans and Dr.. G..
/ ". Tsi.chelI of Augusta. followed With
| brief remarks, after which adjournment
vas msde till IL Is.
| Previous to sdjlu-ning . committee con-
sistias Of Messrs Rogers. MeKeen and
Alden vas appointed to lcok up 'he bus =
/ ness that was brought before tie meetiu z
and report at the afternoon session.
/ At the afternoon session Hon. W. T.
Haines vas heard. He had been instfu=
mental in starting this movement and for
that reason many people didn't ike MIN.
! The measure Of appointing com mission
vas only got through the Legislature by
"rushiogn it before the lobyist had time to
get in ,hsi. work. The opposing parties
in the move are the property holders and
the coupon cutters. No political party
lines could be drawn on it, he considered
the listing sy stem all that was needed for
tax reform in Maine.
At ,he cInaa of Mr. Hsipas' yemapkn