Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-03-07

or any other part of the town with the
least hope of carrying it. 1t came from
outside of them. We paid the taxes
but this same year they asked for spec
| ial appropriation Of $500 and 1t was voted
down Our reason for voting against 1t
is readily found in the facts given. We
think under all the circumstances we were
justified in doing it.
In 1899, after two hearings by the State
assessors, we were given a reduction OF
$3.50. 600 in our town valuation. This
still left So. 900 of valuation by the State
for State and county taxes in excess of the
entire valuation by town assessors. On
this sum the town paid 5A mills, equal
to 1851 for each of the years of 1898 and
1894 making for both years 500, wholly
and totally on account of our liberal yalua-
tion of real estate at Sorrento. These acts
were confirmed by the testimony Of State
Assessor Burleigh and are part of the
record of said committees doings. And
vet they charge us with being niggardly
These two sums together making the nice
little sum of $1441 which the taxpayers
of Sullivan, exclusive of Sorrento, have
been obliged to pay ON account OF our
liberality to Sorrento in four years. I'm
der this state of things would you not
naturally expect the town to reject an
other request for special appropriations:
We're not the voters justified in not voting
to tax themselves more under the circum-
stances? They would have done the same
thing for any special appropriation in any
part of the town, and their refusal to do
so for Sorrento is no evidence of animosity
or nlggardliness. The quiet, uncom-
planning way in which this excessive tax
was paid is rather strong evidence of their
fixed intention to be liberal with the Sor-
rento tax payers.
| Mr. Simpson then went on to explain
the system upon which the town of Sulli-
van divided the burdens for roads and
bridges and stated the mileage in each
section of the town, showing that in this
respect as in others, Sorrento had been
treated not only justly but with generos-
ity.
Continuing he said: l think that
| have shown that there was no animosity,
no evidence of divided community, no
unfair treatment in any way; and hence
we come to the same conclusion that the
committee did-that the petitioners had
no case; that there was no occasion for
division; that the town should not be
divided
| We will now consider the question of
the claimed improvements which will be
made on Waukeag Neck, if the town is
divided There are only two ways by
which improvements can be made; one is
by taxation, the other by subscription. If
by subscription, why not do it now? The
town does not interfere. The town does
not tax roads or parks. If by taxation
(Which they deny) the same result can be
reached by a village corporation, and it
is not double taxation; for, if divided, the
new town will have to pay State and
county tax. They will have to support
their poor and schools, and pay their in
cidental expenses. just as they do now in
the town of Sullivan. And if they desire
to pay for improvements they must either
subscribe to do it or tax the property to do
it, This right they could have by corpora
tion charter, and it is just and right.
But if new town is made and they
vote to tax the town, as they can easily
do, as anyone who witnesses their control
of this Legislature must admit, then what
will become of the poor native residents
who will be subject-to tax for such
improvements as this company proposes?
Is it not plain that they will be taxed to
death-that they will lose their little
homes? If this should even be tie pur-
pose of the successors of this Frenchman' s
Bay Land Co., the State of Maine would
become party to this scheme to destroy
the natives in the interest of organized
wealth. Will the State do it?
Mr.. President l have detained you much
longer than 1 ought. The division of q
town is rather small matter for the
great State of Maine. We can all endure
the toothache without wiry face pro-
vided the tooth is in some one else's |
mouth, so we can calmly divide the town
in which we do not live. When our town
is to be divided, we kick as long as kick
ing is possible.
In conclusion have only to say that
the Sorrento enterprise commenced as a
money making scheme. 1t is continued |
for the same purpose. Is it wise for the I
State of Maine to adopt new policy of T
sacrificing the people, of dividing towns I
simply to assist the managers of those
schemes? If such policy is announced,
the people OF the shore towns all along
the coast of Maine will know what to
expect. Innumerable divided and one
horse towns will be the result Will it not
be wise to pause before we take such a
step or adopt such suicidal policy.
The idea of creating at this late day in
the 10Th century new town of 100 in
habitants in the interests and at the re-
quest of a rich corporation for selfish pur-
poses is a farce too ridiculous TO be scri-
ously entertained. The Legislators of the
State of Maine will never do it unless
persu AIDED by lobby that pervades every
nook and corner of this House, giving
members instructions how to VOTE all at
the expense of the gentleman from New
Hampshire.
Who is the real petitioner in this casef
have lived in the town for 64 years, and
am familiar with very person in it, and
l never heard whisper of desire to
have the town divided. The first notice
had of this matter was the publication
of the legislative notice in the Hancock
county paper. Gentlemen, this.is snap
game
Mr.. Simpson proceeded to show how
the petitions were obtained, and stated
that the vote of the town meeting did not