Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-20

cess. They have steadily increased the
| Nolume OF their business, furnishing q
| sa1e, cheap and reliable ministrant
against loss. They have been and still
are a great source Of strength. in keep
ing our membership intact and in
constantly bringing new members to
our gates. and it is with pleasure we
note their success.
TAXATION AND LEGISLATION.
The question Of levying and collect
ing taxes is the one most vitally affect
ing the conditions and interests Of our
people. as, in the enactment and appIi-
cation of our tax laws the prosperitv
of our whole people very materially
depends.
We are not aware that our industrial
classes in any way object to contribut
ing a fair share towards the public
expense. if in the administration Of the
affairs Of the public the funds are
economically and honestly applied, 50
that all property shall contribute its
Just and equal proportion of the taxes:
but there has grown up in our State
condition of unjust discrimination in
regard to the valuation of property.
and under existing circumstances farm
property. the little homes Of our me-
chanicS and wage-earners who have
homes of their own, and who are try
ing to possess themselves of homes,
are subjected to exorbitant and unfair
valuation of their property far above
tn n cash value. While large indiyid-
ual oWnershps and corporate wealth
escape with only a nominal tax Cor
none At alb, many farms in Maine will
not sell for their assessed value or for
50 per cent. of what they would have
sold Tor 20 years ago. and yet their
productive value is above what it was
20 years agO-the farms are more fer
tile. better cultivated. buildings more
commodious and better stocked with all
that tends to make the business Of
farming less laborious: with all the i'm
plements necessary to carry on the
business economically and profitably
Rather depressing picture for man
CWho. by his industry and thrift. has
done all these things) as he passes
down the declivity Of life to find that
in spite Of all his efforts he has lost
ground and his property has become
less valuable than when he started in
iiit. 1 MS picture may seem 10 pc a
doleful one. but it is not our purpose
to in any way belittle the calling of the
farmers. save for the purpose of call
ing their attention to earnest, agrees
sive and combined effort in defence Of
their own rights and interests The
property Of the farmer. being all ex-
posed to view, never escapes the tax
gatherers-What we mean is that all
other property of whatever kind, shall
pay its equal and just part-no more.
no less.
We are satisfied from observation
that many Of our public officials are
paid more for their services than they
would be able to earn engaged in any
business for themselves. and more than
is paid by private interests for the
same kind of service, but in addition |
our whole system is permeated with |
abuses arising from the fee system |
The idea that the public should be |
obliged to pay men salaries in the en- |
ploy Of the public, and then when anv |
part of the same public have occasion |
to do business with, or through. any
department. of State or county. TO have
to pay a fee which goes to the pockat |
IF the official is wrong in principle ana