The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-12-21
FARMERS IN SESSION.
The Worthy Master Tells the Changers
They Are OvertaXed.

Lewiston, December 20.--The State
Grange met here today. The report of
Worthy Master M. b. Hunt says that
during the year four new oranges have
been organized and three dormant
oranges reorganized. The disregard of
the constitution in regard to dues, an
evil OF long standing, has been remedied
Much literature relating to the listing
system OF taxation has been distributed.
Concerning the subject OF taxation, the
report says: 'Agriculturists are labor
ing under unequal burdens of taxation,
discrimination and depression too griev-
Gus to be borne without protest. Taxa
ton is question that concerns all class
es of our people.
when governments are prodigal in
appropriation and expenditure OF the
peoples money; when inflated salaries
are paid to public officers; when those
best able seek to fasten an undue pro-
portion OF the large and increasing pub
lie burdens on those least able to bear it;
when, thu ough shrinkage Of values and
unremuneratiye prices, the farmer is
growing poorer year by year; when laws
discriminate against the poor, and in IA
Vor OF the rich; who can onder that
unrest and discomfort pervade the peo-
pie? While farmers are conceded to be
tue nainstaY OF all other classes, they
are seemingly expected not only to fur
nish food and raiment for the world, but
more largely than any other class. the
sustcnance of the government itself.
Millions of dollars in personal estate
escapes taxation, and much real estate
escapes just valuation, thus entailing ON
the farmers the unjust burden of sup
plying protection not only to themselves
but 70 the millions untaxed. Our state
grange committee did a good, though
unsuccessful work before the legislature
OF 1891. True to its mission, the State
Grange at It's last session adopted meas
uTes to still further prosecute this work,
and tAe officers having the work in
charge have doae all in their power to
reach and interest the people on this
question and, we believe, with good re-
suits. | trust you will at this session
adopt some measures and formulate
some plan by which to still further pros
ecllte this work and, step by step, press
it To a successful issue. Tax reform
must come, and if it cannot be secured
through party utilization then let us cut
loose and win our own way. Let us no
longer be trifed with If our public
servants 40 not give IdVOfdDlo cOHSiuefd-
tion to our just claims, then let us strike
for freedom in our own right"
The report recommends the passage of
the Hatch Washburn anti-option bill and
expresses interest in the movement of
the wheelmen for better roads, ''but,"
says the report 1--WE first have another
ak to grind. We want ali equalization
of taxation. We are unwilling to have
another. burden added to the already
.Hayy load. while we must still bear an
unequal share. When the public burdens
are equalized, then we will work for
good roads,"
The reports of the secretary and treas
urer show:
Number Of oranges. ~: ~
Total membership. ......................16 $50
Net loss. .............. ...........::. 292
IUtdl receipts Sz,oSI.lZ
Cash on hand September so. .........S 10000
The Patrons Cooperative Association
elected these officers:
Presidents. Ski1In North Yarmouth.
Secretary-Samuel Bell Deering.
Treasurer-C. E. Knight, Deering.