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

ASc8s0seture - 0Osn9 into the SUBJECT OF
the revision ofstaxation. ! have NO doubt
that the next Legislature will give 1t
thorough examination. q thorough revi-
sion: and 1 will say now that have no
EobjectiOn. II the House sees Mt. to a tax
commission being appointed q. this ses-
sion. Let arrangements be made to have
"a tax commissions to look Into. the whole
Subject and 10 report to the nett l5egisla-
Fture as to what should or should not be
done 50 far az the matter OF the revision
of the taxes Is concerned. 1 ask you, as
sound. sober. conservative men, II, at this
late day, we are prepared to go into the
general subject of taxation in this State.
II we have time to do II? Think II the
amount of time that must be involved in
the consideration Of this one matter
alone. 1t Is a matter of vast Importance.
rate must be established that will be
just and equitable as between the rail-
roads and the people Of this State.
l am not one Of those who consider
the mere mention Of a RAILROAD as the
waving of a red nag Is considered by a
hull: l am one Of those who believe that
1.-THE prosperity OF the State Of Maine. in
Ia great measure. in a large degree. de-
have. Maine Is an interior state. and it
|is dependent upon its railroads; we are
dependent upon them for our prosperity,
for our business. What would become of
-AroostOok county. for instance, IL 1t were
not for the two lines OF railroad which
|'extend into 1t? 1t was not until the rail-
roads came into our county that we ever
enjoyed any such a degree Of prosperity
as we have in the last few years.
/ As said before. l have no desire to
make any extended remarks. l simply
wanted to call your attention to the mat
ter as 1t appears to me. And l will say.
II gentlemen want to stay here to con-
slider this subject of taxation, am will
ing to stay with the rest of you: / will
stay with you until the last jackpot has
been opened, and until the last raise has
been made: but / submit that at this
time, as it seems to me. 1t Is matter
which properly should go over until an
other session. I will renew my motion.
that the motion Of the gentleman from
Ratten be SO amended that it shall be a
motion to indefinitely postpone
Mr.. PIERCE of Blaine: cannot
treat you to q speech, l cannot draw
such brilliant metaphors before your
eyes an the worthy gentleman from
Pressure Isle (Mr. SMITH, but / do be-
lieve that this question should be duly
considered before any vote Is taken
upon it. The question Of the taxation Of
railroads has become a vital one with
in the last few days. The State Is be-
ing stirred from end to end. The rail-
road corporations have been stirred
h4t q
nearing the closing days Of the session
it may seem to some little inexpedi-
ent to push this matter to an issue.
But before we turn this question over
to another Legislature 1t should be
thoroughly considered.
The gentleman from Presque Isle has
stated that he believes that the rail-
roads are not taxed enough. A great
many people believe it. He believes
that the system now in vogue is not
the proper one. A great many believe
it. He believes that any addition to
the taxes would work detriment to
the country. A great many do not be-
lieve it. He says that IL one corpora.
ton is taxed, all others of like inter-
est should be taxed--a fallacious idea.
Surprising a dozen men, debtors, are
owing one John Smith. If he cannot
catch them all at once, shall he let
them all go until some future time?
If the railroads are now within our
reach and we can fix upon them the
taxes which the State needs, shall we
wait until we catch the telegraph and
express companies and all the other
corporations mentioned? l say no. If
this entire tax system needs revision
it will come in it's own good time. If
it needs a revision now. this Legisla-
ture cannot better spend two months
or three months than to meet the de-
mands Of this State.
We have spent a good many weeks
in appropriating moneys. fixing laws
and protecting corporations. Haven't
we time to appropriate to our own uses
from these delinquent debtors. bodies
corporate. what is our own due? hope.
Mr.. Speaker and gentlemen, that this
matter, although broad and tremen-
idous matter. has enough support from
the members of this House to be con-
sidered at the present time. have as
much confidence in the taxation COM
.mittee of this Legislature as I shall in
the next. The momentous question
must come before the next Legislature
IL We defer action on this now. We
have honorable men to deal with this
question at the present time and L
think we cannot refer it to a better
committee than the present taxation
committed.
The gentleman from Presque Isle has
stated that he does not think that a
man in this House can state what
would, be a just and an equitable rate
of taxation. A great many Of us can
not. A great many things have come
to light before our eyes within the last
few weeks and say 1t is only fair to
the members of this House and to. the
people of the State that this matter
have a fair and impartial hearing. that
it may be discussed by men capable
of expressing views on both sides. in
order that We may see and know
whether this, matter shall be put OF
two years. or be taken UP and consid-
cred at this session: and l hope that
the motion OF the gentleman from Pat
ten will prevail. .,
Mr.. McFApDEN of Dresden: hope
the House win not forget the question
before 1t. II I understand It,. 1t Is
merely a question. Of reference. We
are not considering the merits OF the