Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-24

e Light of the committee on taxation
and legislation who presented the fol-
lowing report:
Taxation and Legislation.
Former reports on taxation have Gov
cred the whole ground so thoroughly that
we shall not attempt.tO suggest or intro
duce specific moves for this bodys con-
siGeration. but we shall try to glance at
the past to see what has been proposed
accomplished or defeated: and to survey
the present condition of things. and indi-
cate what should be the objects of our eff
forts in the future.
Patrons are willing to be taxed because
it is Il tribute of loyalty to law order and
higher civilization. They ask no radicaI
change from that constitutional dcclara-
'tion that ''All taxes shall De APP
portioned and assessed equally according
10 the just value thereof. That princi-
pie. perfectly enforced. would tighten the
burden of many, justly increase that of
others and reduce the rate in a radical
degree.
one of the first things that was de-
manded by the patrons of this State was
a board of State assessors. which was OBJ
tanned and has amply justified its cre%-
ton. Taxing of collateral Inheritance,
increased taxation of railroad and other
corporations are results of active grange
influence.
We have failed To obtain the listing
bill. We have not modified the taxation
of wild lands. Of savings banks of raising
school moneys as much as we have fire.
quently proposed. But we have aroused
much discussion and interest. and learned
our power. and our weakness also. out
of these experiences we may be enabled
to accomplish greater results.
our State assessors report an annual in
crease in the population and total valua-
in f halI hf ha tot h
is this increase?
They say in their report of 1896 that
the total valuations of more than one
half of the Towns in the State have been
reduced. This applies almost entirely to
the small and poorer towns. being large
ly rural districts that are not holding up
to their former standing. but are gradual
ly ard surely growing less in wealth and
population"
If this is the manifest condition in
more than one-half of the rural towns of
the State it is fair to assume that the
same tendency prevails in many other
communities where it does not appear in
their reports. Wild lands are reported at
a decreased valuation. Shipping property
has been lowered in valuation nearly "a.
0.o00. This leads us to infer. what d
close examination will show-that the in
crease in wealth and population has
mainly been in the cities and larger viii
lagos.
facts and tendencies is Il broader policy
than special methods of assessments or
special forms of taxation. We need a
general REIMBURSEMENT of city and rural
expenditure. Municipal expenses far ex-
coed State levieS. Rural municipal re-
sources are diminishing and expenses in-
creasing. while city resources are increas-
ing in Il degree that leads to lavish eX-
penditures.
The law says towns shall raise so cents
,l,,, ,yI tn Tina
tom for school purposes. 1t says now,
that all towns shall annually raise
money TO be expended on the town ways
and highways, to be assessed as other
town charges 1t declares that towns
shall relieve persons having a settlement
therein. when on account of poverty they
need relief" If the tendency pointed out
by the State assessors continues. will not
the number needing relief be likely to in
crease in some of our rural communities?
With tax leVies increasing. while at the
same time wealth and population are
gradually and surely growing less in
more than one-half of the towns of the
State. while cities and villages are pros
porous and steadily increasing in wealth
and population, what should be done?
Would the enactment of listing bill
remedy it all? Evidently not. No doubt
it would be of great benefit. but its enc
mics are aroused, and it's prestige is gone,
and other methods had better be en-
and fearlessly enforced by assessors
prompted by il vigorous public opinion
might accomplish as much as a self-opcr-
atng listing bill. Public opinion boldly
proclaimed. will nerve and sustain the
assessors in assessing equally and fully
all taxable properties. will shame the tax
dodger enforce the prOhibitory liquor law
(cven in Aroostook county,. drive the cor
rupt official from power. and improve the
whole social body wonderfully. The
nj
of the best of means for producing and
proclaiming that desirable public senti-
ment.
We believe that centres of wealth and
population should assist in bearing some
of the expenses of those communities
whose wealth and population they have
absorbed. This can be done in part by
having pauperS supported by county eX-
pense. which would often save expensive
and needless litigation.
Children of the back lots and crCSs
roads are entitled to and deserving of
better educational privileges. and If it is
for the well being of the State that they
be educated it is the duty of the State to
aid equally in affording proper education
al advantages. Larger State aid for the
little dears in our rural schoolhouses. and
smaller appropriations for the deer in cur
forests would accord better with the spir-
it of our institutions and the progress of
our State. Many highways, main thor
oughfares. that accommodate large sec
lions of the country should be maintained
at county expense. Boards of trade
leagues of wheelmen. summer tourists and
city newspapers could sooner accomplish
their proposals of road Improvement by
urging county assistance. A matter that
we regard as demanding the consideration
of the grange for legislation is the pres
ence of so many vagrant tramps in the
country. Morally, they have no right to
exist as a class. They are a dangerous
element that threaten the peace and Sc
curity of every farm home. Police patrol