Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-22

Nisduiiity vi GTTdHElIS, ii possible. IOT q
Joint meeting of representatives of Oul
order and of the State board of trade fol
the purpose of discussing questions upon
winch we have seemed to differ in the
past and see if those differences have not
come about from mutual misunderstand-
ings rather from any inherent antagon.
ism of interest
Our present laws in relation to the dis
tribution of the burden Of taxation are
Justly complained of by the farmers OF
the State. Efforts for reform in this di-
rection have so far been attended with
little success This fact should, however,
by no means discourage or dishearten us.
The experience of the past in this direc-
ton should teach us valuable lessons for
our future guidance. One of these les
| sons, ! am convinced, is that we have
dissipated our efforts too much instead
of concentrating our work and our infiu-
ence upon some one important matter
and directing the whole force of our or
ganzation towards the accomplishment
OF some one measure of reform.
| This. of course. would not debar us
from giving in a general way our infiu-
| ence in favor of all measures of progress
| and reform which might be presented,
bat l am of opinion that in order to
achieve anything CT a substantial nature
we should select some one important
-matter and camp beside it until we con-
| quer success.
| | submit to you whether the school tax
bill which has already been cOntended
for in several legislatures is not meas
ure of sufficient merit and Importance to
| demand our eSpeca support and the per-
sistent effort of our organization until 1t
shall have been enacted into law.
| The simple principle upon which this
measure is based il; that inasmuch as all
property in the State is equally interested
in the education of the youth of the State
| therefore every dollar of property should
bear an equal share of the burden of tax
alton for the expenses of education.
I IC of ,<I,
would bring much relief to the rural sec
tons of the State which are now over
burdened with taxation. 1t has so far
met sufficient opposition from the cities
| and from the owners of certain classes
| of property to defeat it, but the Justice
| of the measure is admitted by all fair
| minded men and IL the movement in its
| favor is persisted in success must finally
crown our efforts
Conservative mcI in our order unite in
discouraging any antagonism between
capital and labor recognizing the fact
that the interests of each are identical.
The shout against combined wealth and
the power of corporations is often but the
demagOguc's cry for the purpose of fur
| thering his own ambitious designs. With
out large aggregations of capital no i'm
portant enterprises can be carried on. and
with the discontinuance of these enter
priSeS labor langus hes and seeks employ
ment in vain.
1t is only when those who control cap
ital combine to Cypress the people and
defraud them of their rights that wealth
becomes the enemy of labor.
1t is the province of organized labor.
whether in the grange or in other organ
iZations. to seek out and oppose with
every effort and Influence such instances
of the encroachment of capital upon the
rights of the laboring man. instead of
joining in sense,ess shout of condem- |
nation of all combinations of capital and |
of all corporations who are controlling
public enterprises.
Among the matters of national legisla- |
ton in which We as farmers are specially |
interested are the measures in the inter- |
est of pure foods and of the free distri |
button of the mails in rural commune |
ties.
To both of these measures we should |
give the influence of the order, by resolu- |
tons expressing our sentiments in their |
favor. by personal letters to members of |
Congress and by every legitimate means |
The measure for the establishment of |
postal savings banks is one which has |
lately been brought to the attention of |
Maine people and | would recommend it |
as a matter of study and discussion in the |
oranges during the winter in order that a |
thorough knowledge of the merits of this |
measure and of it's effect upon the bust
ness of the State may be arrived at.
l have purpOSely devoted an unusual |
amount of space to matters of legislation
and of our political duties as farmers and |
as citizens both on account of their espec-
ial Importance and from the fact that
other matters have received more partic-
ular attention in previous addresses from
this chair.
THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE.
1t is a matter of congratulaton to all
true farmers and especially to all patrons
that the affairs of the department of ag-
ricuture are now in the hands of pro-
gressive men who not only have the best