Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-18

would kill the patient. 1t would a
least seem to be in order for those op
| posed to our plan to propose one.
Injustice of Our Present School Tax
We desire once more to call the atten
ton of the state grange to the injustice
attending our present system Of raisin,
money for our common schools. Ever,
town is compelled by the State t,
raise sum equivalent to eighty cent?
per capita This sum is assessed upor
the property of that town. Some mar
of property. but so unfortunate as tc
have no children to school. might ask
What right has the State to compel
me to pay for schools?" The answer
would be Because education is neces-
ksary for the safety. happiness. protec.
ton and well-being of any civilized
community and an Indispensable re-
quislte In maintaining a republican
form of government" The man would
be properly answered. But suppose he
should say. VERY well. but what right
has the state to tax me ten times as
high IA rate on my property for that
purpose as is levied on another mans
differently located, receiving precisely
reason be given? We believe this sub
ject should receive the attention of this
organization and reform bedemanded
of our next Legislature.
Call Spade a Spade-Another abuse
that claims our attention is the prac-
tice. now getting common. of adulter-
ating our various stock feeds.
Thanks largely to the work of the
grange a vile mixture Of suet and lard
no longer masquerades as pure Jersey
butter, nor can Connecticut river mud
continue to sell as a rich fertilizer at
forty dollars per ton.
1t is believed however that much Of
oar cottonseed meal, wheat bran, feed
flour. gluten &c. are adultarated. in
some cases to the extent of one half
1T would seem that the same legisla-
ton that did away with those other
frauds might well be tried on this new
one.
There are other subjects of grave i'm
portance which have been ably handled
by your committees on taxation in the
past. With those reports and with the
action of the State grange upon them
we are in full sympathy but we be-
lieve it is wise to concentrate our
strength on a few things. Better to
fight one battle to victory than a
dozen to defeat.
Let us decide just what we want and
being convinced that it is wise and
right let us respectfully but firmly ask
our legislators to help us.
If they are equal to the responsible
positions to which they have been
called, they will, considering them
selves the servants not the masters of
the people. be glad to learn our wishes
and. if we make no mistakes, grant
them.
Above all let us not be diSmayed by
the strength of the forces which NAV
be arrayed against us but rather take
courage from the thought that we have
justice on our side.
Thrice is he armed who hath his quar-
rel just:
And he but walked though locked up in
Whose conscience with injustice is cor
rupted.
The committee on mutual aid came
rext in turn.and Chairman J. NJ. Jack
son reported, explaining the workings
of the mutual aid association of the
Maine Patrons. and it's present condi-
ton. Master Wiggin made a state
ment and read a communication from
Insurance Commissioner Carr defend
ing the integrity of the officers of the
society but criticising the plans and
methods of the society.
II was recommended that the pat
rons give the society careful con
sideration and give it their support if
they find it worthy.
The following telegram. which had
been received, was then read amid
much applause.
Manchester, n. H.. Dec, Il.
Hon. Edward Wiggin. Master Maine
State Grange, Augusta.
The New Hampshire State grange re-
loices in your Prosperity, and assures
the brothers and sisters of Maine that
Is, 900 patrons in the Granite state will
cooperate with them for the advance
ment of the agricultural interests of
New England.
N. j. BATCHELDER,
Master n. II. State Grange
Mrs. G. F. Fletcher of Augusta the
head of the committee on household
economy and home entertainment.
then read the following report:
Report Of Committee on Household Economy