Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-08

seems to me that the ground has. been
thoroughly covered by the remarks Of
the gentleman from Pre4Que Isle. II
this Legislature, or any Legislature, il
going to take up the. subject Of taxa
ton, and I agree with the gentleman
that 1t is subject which needs revis-
ion. then 1t should be done in general
way. The committee on taxation, or
commission on taxation, IL you
please. should be instructed to inquire
into and recommend such revision
OF our entire tax system as will equal
ize and equitably distribute the taxes
of this State. and certainly it seems
to me that in these closing days OF
this Legislature 1t Is not time to UNI
dertake such work.
There can be no fair hearing on such
bill If you shall say that we should
take up one particular class Of corpo-
rations and increase. the tax or de-
| crease the taxes. upon their franchises.
1 say there can be no fair hearing on
so momentous question without an
advertised hearing. certainly week
hence. If the gentlemen of this House
desire to stay here to fairly, fully and
impartially investigate such a question
for several weeks longer. it Is for you
TO say, but ii seems to me, gentlemen,
that such question as this cannot
fairly be considered at the present ses-
sion of this Legislature and under all
these circumstances.
The gentleman from Blaine (Mr.
Pierce) says that this question OF tax
alton Of railroads has become vital
question within the last few
days. Now. gentlemen OF the House.
would like to ask what has occurred
within the last few days that has made.
this such vital question? What has
occurred within the last few days that
makes the question any more vital
than 1t was at the beginning OF this
session of the Legislature? 1t looks to
me. gentlemen. and submit this to
you, as though there was something
more behind this measure that has
been introduced than a great desire to
increase the taxable property or 20 in
crease the revenues OF this state. Take
all these circumstances and the oc
curences of this session, gentlemen. and
| ask you TO consider whether there IL
any more vital need OF this act, today.
or within the past few days. than
there was at the beginning OF this ses-
sion,' when the act might have been
introduced and carefully and fairly
considered str
I hope the motion Of the gentleman
from Presque Isle will be supported by
TINS House and will prevail, not because
desire to thwart any Investigation In
to the actual needs Of Increasing the
taxation OF all property or any partic-
uiar kind OF PROPERTY in this state. I
am thoroughly in, sympathy with II.
1 merely submit that 1t is not the prop-
,er time to do 1t and do It fairly. justly
and equitably. have no doubt that
when the State shall take up the sub
ject Of revision OF taxation and It shall
go into all these questions fully and
revise the whole system. we shall find
the railroads Of this state prepared to
meet the people Of this State and the
Legislature fairly and honorahly, and
to bear their equitable share and pro-
portion of the taxes that shall in that
manner be. imposed upon them.
Mr.. MERRILL OF Saowheeanc
There Ia no. question that has come be-
fore this assembly. there Is NO, apes-
tiOn that Will come before this assem-
bly, or that can come before It, that r.
nearer to the hearts OF the people %
this state than, the question OF taxa
t0jn. Every man woman and child
within Its broad domain. who is pos
sessed Of a dollars worth OF property.
Is subject OF. taxation: and the consti-s
tuition Of this State, the Fundamental
law authorizes taxation. authorizing
taxation for the protection OF Its SUBJ
jects in their property. in their life and
In their pursuit Of happiness-I say
the fundamental principle Of taxation
IS that 1t shall be equal fair and 1ust.
Now the, gentlemen who have spoken
upon this question have said that a.
this late hour 1t Is not becoming FOR
us, as the great court OF Maine, to stay
here and investigate this question.
that this bill should have been intro
duced at an earlier. date.
Pray tell me, Mr.. Speaker and gem
Continued On rage ~
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