The Portland daily press., 1899-05-06
McFADDEN'S VIEWS.
lie Tells Farmer Mclaughlin What He
Thinks of Tax Reform.

W. IL. Mclaughlin. ESQ.,.
Dear Sir-YouT circular letter of Apri
Bird duly received. and IN reply will say
that the objects which you seem to nav,
in view meet my hearty approval.
Nobody pretends, so far as L know, that
our system of taxation Is equitable, OF
even that 1t is in accord with our State
constitution; yet every effort to amend
1t has met with defeat, or, at best, has
been politely referred to the next Lsgisla-
ture; and as this subject must come be.
fore that body IL bshooves the farmers OF
the State and the individual taxpayers OF
whatever vocation to see to it that the
sevept eth Legislature of Maine be so con-
stituted that something may be accom-
pIished. But while u revision Of our tax
system il demanded by every considem-
tiof Of fairness and equity, that alone
will not cure the trouble. State Asselso
Pottle puts it correctly when he says: 1t
is idle to expect lower taxes In the lace
of an initiation of flfty-two per cent. In
the expenditure Of the State in ten
year."
That expresses 1t. We must curtail ex-
penses The next Legislature must have
the ability TO say NO" How Goes it
work in our town affairs when we get a
board of town Officers of the yes, yes
VARIETY Do not the taxpayer suffer. End
are not the taxpayers of the State suffer
ing today by reason of the yesyesiveness
OF the last three or four Legislatures
Haven't they said yes to every request for
money from the treasury, or for increase
of official salariesY There isn't one in
twenty Of the officials whose salaries have
been Increased, ''hxed,' established, !"
or ere-established,' in the last ten
years, who was not before receiving, for
three or four hours daily, more than
ninety nine hundredths of those receive
who must pay the taxes to make up the
increase, though their work day Is from
ten to fifteen hours long. Let our officials
re on a level with the people In their pay
and In all other respects is my conception
OF the American theory o. government.
The people of Maine will have one OPP
portunity at least of saying mo" mt our
next State election. a constitutional
amendment, creating the office of State
Auditor is to be voted on. We already
have eight State auditors. The governor
and council audit bills against the State.
The proposed amendment does not DO
away with the council or lessen the mum
Der of its members. 1t simply creates
another state Office with another salary
TO be paid. If the taxpayers of Maine do
not say no upon that subject, their com
plant of high taxes Will deserve little
sympathy in the future. AS to how the
proposed reform shall be inaugurated
do not wish to debate or even suggest.
There is the Grange among the farmers,
and there are numerous organizations
among the laboring men throughout the
state. They should take these questions
into their halls and consider them, not In
party spirit, but calmly and earnestly.
and in the light of American theories OF
government
Ii a still more public consideration
should be given these matters the cur
rent season, there is Labor Day, which to
me; seems appropriate for the purpose.
Very respectfully yours,
ORRIN McFADDEN.