Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-02-10

There was a very interesting hearing in
the Senate Chamber last evening on the
listing bill and there was a large audience.
The arguments, notwithstanding the extent
with which this matter as discussed at the
Legislature of two years ago, brought out
new ideas concerning it and plenty of
material to consider was brought TO the
attention Of the committee. Hon. b. i.
Chadtourne spoke very strongly in favor
of the bill HI. called attention TO the
inequalities of our present system and he
believed the listing system the best that had
yet been devised.
Judge Hall, of the tax commission that
reported the bill, which was discussed at
length at the last Legislature spoke His
remarks were naturally mnch in the same
line as those he advanced two wears ago,
but his arguments had lost none of their
force. He told of the results he obtained
from examining the system in vogue on
some of the other states and told of the
successful manner III which the law oper-
ates. People would not oppose this bill if
they could that under il they were he
ing treated all alike. lie believed d well
drawn listing bill Will reach the cause of the
presen, inequalities that the tax rate could
be reduced one-half. While he said it was
not germane to the point under discussion
he urged that tax be levied on corpora
tons organized in this State for speculative
purposes aud which do not pay other taxes
There was large amount of wealth being
frittercd away by the State at every session
of the Legislature in granting valuable
franchises without proper income from
them. People had begun to realize the re-
sources We have for taxation. lie spoke in
favor of the collateral inheritance bill and
pointed out that while Jay Gould's tax had
been assessed on only S50U.000 while Ia.
| lived, when he died the state of New York
| BY a collateral inheritance law secured
800 900 from the estate.
Prof Rogers of the State College, who
! has gwen the matter of taxation good
deal of study, was called upon. He said
he could aid little to the exhaustive pres
entatlon hy Judge Hall He appeared for
the State Grange The constitution of
this STATE provided for raising just such a
tax AS this listing bill proposed, only in this
bill were the means to make the law effect
i've and not leave it optional with the town
assessors. He presented reports of tax
systems IN other states. The principle of
| leYying a small tax on savings banks in the
interest of Thrift among the people of small
savings, should much more obtain in the
case of the har'iworking man V ho had Sc
cured little home, which under the pres
ent system is taxed all it will bear.
W. II. Ninton of Gray spoke in favor of
the bill. Mr.. GARNER of the executive
committee OF the State grange appeared in
behalf of that organization. lie spoke of
the attempts which that committee had
| made for some more equitable system of
taxation they took pride in bearing their
Just share of the burden but no more.
They should continue to fight till they had
secured some more equitable system, even
if they bad to 20 to the primaries for it.
lie read letter from Master Hunt of the
State Grange. He was followed by Mr..
Merrill of ST. Albans, whose words had
great weight from the fact that he sat upon
! the tax committee two years ago and had
become converted to the bill II was a
measure that would hurt no honest man.
Senator lIersey spoke strongly in favor
of listing bill and while he considered the
one that had been presented right, yet lie
would favor one modified for the first two
Years until the people became accustomed
to it, He said the grange were willing to
mittee. and Chairman IIerrick said ne
should be glad to have such bill presented
to their consideration.
\. l.. Perry Esq of Gardiner was the
only one to appear in opposition of the
measure. He believed that tax levied on
real estate falls in the enl upon the public.
because the owners of the real estate
either through the profits obtained on the
business conducted in it,or through the rem
tai, if the real estate is leased, except TO
get enough TO secure the full interest value
of the money invested III addition To taxes.
insurance, etc, when any burden is laid on
interest bearing securities, the interest
will rise just enough to cover the tax. Con-
scientious citizens would fall victims
to such law as this listing bill would
/ provide. The wealthiest citizens are, gen
orally speaking, voluntarily the heavier
taxpayers, being greater buyers and con
I suinrrs.