The Portland daily press., 1899-03-18

Tor rus bcNh Nokc1 NtAofobSA1 W bfAN
friends of Mt. hickssn, the present score.
tary of the board Of agriculture. They are
ir q sense satisfied because the law under
which the board and Mr. Mokeen have
conducted the affairs Of the department Is
undisturbed, but the size of the ma jority
by which they won. Is not pleasing to
them. The bill prohibiting the hiring of
attorneys went through both branches
without opposition.
No TAX COMMISSION.
The bill in relation to the beard Of
pgriculture was not the first measure
considered by the House today. 1t first
killed the movement to create special
commission to examine into the question
of taxation. When the House convened,
Mr. Chase of Portland opened the discus
sion of MIR Merrill resolve by speech
in opposition. Mr. Chase said, In sub
stance:
Mr.. Speaker it seems to me 1t would be
well for us this morning to come dow 3
from the realms of oratory and consider
dispassionately the main question. Now
do not think there is any disagreement
over the necessity of an equalization oil
taxation, but the question before us is II
condition not theory. 1t Is specific
proposition and am opposed to the pa
snge of this order. In the first place, ]
consider that his whole matter Is entirely
out of order as yesterday this Legislature
referred the whole question to the next
legislature. and this resolve relates to the
same subject matter. But do not pro-
pose to raise that question. and ask for a
ruling on 1t. | VIII base my objections
on the mecits of the q uestion. Now gen.
tlemen what does this resolve mean. 1t
provides or q com ission to hold hear
ings and make such recon lamentations Is
they see fit to the next legislature but 1t
has no binding force. The whole matter
would necessarily be referred to the tax
committee OF that legislature and that
CONN would have to go over the
ground again. 1t Is ploughinR the same
ground twice. We may predict the future
from history. In 1889 tax commission
was appointed. 1t sat for two years and
reported to the next legislature. All we
got from 1t was a dog tax. 1t cost the
state several thousands dollars. There
were three members on that committee.
This resolve calls for seven members and
IL would cost the state from $500 to $40 :
600. Are you prepared TO place that tax
upon the people for a proceeding of doub :
full alueS If 1t was to benefit the people
/ should not object but do not believe
that 1t will benefit them.
/ OF jsct on another ground. l believe
that this resolve Is unconstitutional 1t
provides for a legislative commission and
then goes on to give the governor and
council voice In the selection of the
mem beers, The executive Is not part Of
the legislative branch of the governme Mt.
The resolve further provides that this
mem Uers who are not mem bers OF tn
legislature.
l appeal to you, gentlemen, to consider
this matter calmly ana dispassioDatel!
and not to be stampeded into hasty action
Mr.. Merrill replied to Mr.. Chase. he
s i'd that the opponents to the resolve ali
began with the statement that something
was needed on this taxation question ana
then this great constitutional question
was raised. We have heard more about
con stitutional law in the last thirty six
hours, said MIR. Merrill. than we have in
all the preceding days of tho session.
There is a court in this state to pass upon
these questions. This is not the place to
try them. The resolve provides that the
cost of the commission shall be only tht
expense of its members; not 5000 TO $40,
900.
MIR. Chase-If the gentleman will pardon
mel hold in my hands the resolve and
1t says that the governor and council
shall fix the compensation Of the mem
bers. 1t reads compensation not expense.
Mir. Merrill-well, call it what you like
1t means their expenses. ag9
Judge Philbrook Of Waterville was the
next speaker in opposition. He argued
that the resolve did not have power
enough to draw baby carriage. The
commission could not summon witnesses.
It's members could do nothing but sit
around, smoke cigars, read printed re
ports and exch ,nge views. They cannot
summon "a witness. l want resolve,
said MIR. Philbrook, with teeth In it SO
that the members may call In these great
corporations and call upon them to pro-
duce their books and say TO them, 1--WE
want to know what you should pay for
these valuable privileges"
Judge Philbrook raised a number of
objections to the resolve to show as he
said that 1t was hastily drawn without
due regard to the law and the constitu
ton. 1t did not follow the methods usen
for the appointment of commissioners in
the past. 1t did not repeal the law which
rrovides that no member OF the legisla-
ture shall receive compensation other
than that fixed by law. Its very language
revealed the haste with which 1t had been
drawn.
MIR. Gnrnsey Of Dover spoke In favor of
the resolve. Mr.. Guernsey began with u
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