Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-14


Fogg, city solicitor of Bath, appeared
before the judiciary committee in relation
to amending the city charter, increased
jurisdiction of the municipal court, and
an act relating to election of city mar
shall
The Listing Bill.
The third in the series Of hearings on
the listing bin was held, Wednesday
evening, and was largely attended.
M. A. Rice, Esq, of Rockland argued
that there was no need for the listing bill.
The present law was good enough Under
it Maine had gone through the business
better than most states. This change
would discourage the young men from
embarkipg in new business in this State.
A. L. Perry, Esq, of Gardiner, spoke
against the bill. The tax burden he did
not think fell heavily on the farmer. The
man who lives extensively pays a larger
tax, for he pays more or less tax on all he
buys. The farmer is not large buyer.
Tax on bonds and securities raises the in
terest rate. In one case the tax ultimately
falls on the consumer, and in the other
upon the consumer. The present law on
personal property is not properly enforced,
because the common sense of the people
does not support.
Senator Wiggin-Would the gentlemen
say all personal property should be ex
cmpt?
Mr.. Perry thought that this tax would
be abandoned in time.
Hon. Waldo Pettingill of Rumford
Falls, said he believed all property should
bear its shares of the taxes In his town,
several years ago, as one of the assessors,
he had no difficulty in collecting tax on
personal property. Now the con-
ditions have been changed. A million
dollars have been added to the
State valuation by the introduction of
manufactures none of which asked to be
exempted They did, however object to
this law, and some had said they did not
care to invest more in a State with such
law,
Hon. Hiram Knowlton, who conducted
the case for the remonstrants, asked MIR.
Pettengill if he thought the proposed law
would bring out any more property than
the present law. Mr.. Pettengill thought
not. He thought it more satisfactory
when the assessors look over the property
and talk with the owners.
Representative Rodick Of Bar Harbor
said there were several owning cottages at
Bar Harbor who claim residence there
and pay tax ON their personal estate He
thought they would object TO the bill.
Mr.. Knowlton put in several re-
monstrances.
Ex-Governor Davis spoke in opposition
to the bill. He said the people in his sec
tion of the State are stirred over this
matter, and wish to be heard. They
believe the bill proposes very radical
change. We are just on the verge OF an
era of wonderful prosperity. He did
want the hearing continued before the
final report is made.
1t was decided to hold the final hear
ing next Wednesday.
Representative Grindle believed in the
bill. Believed it right. He represented
n class of people who favor the bill. 10
show the feeling he said the meeting ut
which he was nominated voted unan-
imously for the bill, and instructed him
to support the bill. No person had ever
exnressed an opinion against the measure,
to him. One man, he knew. in the town,
opposed it. This mans property was
chiefly personal He had noticed that
many of those opposed to the bill are
good citizens, who would not lie about
their personal property, but who are
opposed to it because, as he believed, they
Thought it would bring out moro of their
property than does the present law.
Here and There.
A. C. Stilphen opposed the bill to
abolish disused cemeteries.
That amendment to the fortnightly
wages law providing that the aggrieved
Marty must make the complaint, meets
Tho approbation of the legal affairs COM
mittce.
The railroad committee, it is under