Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-18
Legislation.

quarters Of the Order during the fair
Legislation.
It becomes more and mora apparent
each year that If we as Patrons are to
make our influence felt in obtaining legis-
laton which shall place the farmers of
the State on a footing of equality with
men in ether industries, We must make
our strength felt by closer organization
and more effective work along political
lines. While l am opposed to anything
bordering upon the discussion of partisan
politics in the grange and while l am
equally opposed to the formation of II
farmers political party, yet | am fully
convinced that the grange is the proper
place for the discussion, ia non partisan
manner, of those questions which are
affecting our rights and interests as
farmers and Cor the formulation of such
plans aud methods as shall best make our
influence felt in securing legislation
favorable to our rights.
would again emphatically assert that
the farmers Of Maine are asking no
favurs, nor are they seeking any special
class legislation ia their interest All
they ask, and this they should continue to
demand until it is secured, is such legis-
iation as shall remove the burdens now
resting unduly upon the agricultural
class and place them on an equality with
all other citizens. The listing bill met
with increased opposition in the last
Legislature and some who had formerly
been its friends were deferred by political
motives from supporting it during the
of 1SnH still saipfptn that tho
argument in favor of the listing bill is
sound and incpntrovcrtible 1t is simply
this and nothing more. If it is right to
tax one mans personal property it Is
right that every mans property should
be taxed in an equal ratio. The opposi-
sion to the bill can arise from no other
motive than desire 10 escape inst and
equal taxation. IT, as many of the OPP
ponents of the bill assert the enactment OF
rho bin into law would adversely affect
the manufacturing Industries of the
State the only honest reply can be-thcn
repeal all taxes on personal property and
let all stand alike before the law. |
maintain that there are only two logical
grounds on which airy fair man can
stand and between these the choice should
be made Either pass the listing bill and
tax all personal property equally, or repeal
all laws taxing personal property OF any
kind. My own choice has been plainly
indicated since the question was fr,t
raised in our Legislature The bill for
the equalization of the school tax also
met with opposition from the capitalists
of the State sufficient TO prevent its be
coming a law. The theory upon which
this bill is based is eminently Just and
equitable. 1t is that the property of the
state should bear the burden of taxation
for the education cf the children ~ the
state and that this burden should fall
equally upon every dollar Of property
in the State, however invested or wherever
located. l repeat that the only way to
obtain our rights IN matters Of legislation
is to show an amount Of organized
strength which is the sures, passport 70
respect in all legislative bodies. | am
convinced that our work should com
mence in the primary meetings Of the
different political. parties to which we
ssveraily belong. The farmers of Maine
are strong enough 10 compel a recogni-
ton of their rights II they would organize
their strength aud work with deter
mined purpose for q well defined result.
4 his 0fEdltNstbAbh Will lhas1hs tAlAA-
matcly he brought about through the
grance and will not necessitate the for
nation OF any new political party. Let
each man work ever against his own
house and the desired result will be
obtained. There IS one great mistake
that think We as citizens OF Maine are
making, in our organizations OF Patrons
of Husbandry, Of boards Of trade and other
industrial associations. aud that is in IN
couraeing the idea that there IS a natural
enmity and hostility of interest between
agriculture and the other industries of
the State We as formers have long been
taught that capital invested in other
calllngs is necessarily our natural enemy.
On the other hand men who have their
capitol invested in mercantile and manu-
featuring intere sts scam to think that in
matters Of legislation affecting industrial
interests they must rerforce autagonize
the agricultural Glasses | maintain that