The Portland daily press., 1899-03-08

osss>ssa ruissa n sss witch bslievs
will be considsrsd II Ne ssar future. I
merely sutnis tAat sAis h nss The time 70
q u Sslsiy - sqsinbly. hsvs no
deuhs that whsn the Dtsss sonss ws shall
nnl ~ rsiirsads ssoAy - msss The people
hessrably snl bar shsts fair shsrs Of the
burdsnB.
M. Merrill o. skewhssss made the
next nove In sse Of the strihins speeches
Of tAe day. No question that has or will
come before this Asssmbly, he said. 10
nearer to ths hsArts Of the pscpie Of the
state thnn this question Of taxation.
Every man, woman and child who owns
doilsrss worth Of property In this state
is liable to taxation, and the fundamental
principle 10 that taxation shall be equsl
and just. Now gentlemen have said that
At shis late hour ~ 10 not becoming ID us
~ the great coart Of the st4te to stay and
invsssiGAts bkis question. Il should have
bssn intreAuosd eatlier. Pray tsll me
why ~ sails6AAs AAvs hot introduced
sons BIN y SquaIlss saeekions ask you
% oWo1rs Af ssal stitAte, bank stock and
pssveaai property. II ysuf property Is not
taxed 10 ~ fail valus. Tell me, farmers,
II youe oxsa. Gown. Asrses and sheep are
not taxed Tor all they are WORTH Tell
me, land owssrs n your hand is not taxed
for iss fuif vatuS. = No voice here can
cay nay. We sFe' here a. the great court
at the expsnss Of, the state. This question
is OF Interest to the farthsrsst boundaries
of the STATE, north and south, east and
west Tell me, is 1t cheaper for the state
to break up this court and ssud smother
here two years henos to deal with this
question: Why the gentleman from
Presque Isle says he will stay until the
last jack pot has been opened, until ths
last raise has been made. Gentlemen /,
don't know what hs means. (Lsugh.
teri hope he will use Language We can
understand.
Judss Smith, will explain to you.
(IAughtsr.)
Mr.. Aierrill-I hope. gentlemen. yon
will consider whom you represent. am
not opposed to railroads or other corpora
tious, and the railr Dads have done more
to developl Maine than any other corpor.
tions. Theytare entitled to consideration,
TO be treated fairly and honestly. would
not say.a word to hamper or cripple them,
We owe them too pcunh. But say to
you. Mir. ISpeaksr and gentlemen of the
House, that when we attempt to pass over
this matter and indefinitely postpone 1t.
| we must answer to the people who sent
us hereto the farmers and merchants
whose rights are 40 dear to them " are
their rights to the stockholders In these
railroads. l do not know how long it
| would take to open the last jack pot but
let us stay until the hot sun OF July
drives us home II 10 is necessary to do
| the work for which we were sent here.
| Mr.. Walker OF Stasks said that although
he had duties which demanded his pres
epce at home, he for one was ready to
stay here ~ long - necessary to settle
| this question.
Then Ar. Gardiner got into the game
and made . speech containing some
printed references to the ring" and the
railroad lobby. He said he had been sur
prissd at the efforts Of the railroad lobby
This morning not only are they attend
ing to their business but they have taken
| 1t upon themselves to say when this
Houss should adjourn. il am surprised
at gentlemen who have 50 suddenly. found
1t necessary to 80 home.
Mr.. Gardiner referred to the oonstttu-
tioual provision that taxation must be
just. Now havs We any instance where
this provision 10 not complied with! ]
say yes. The president Of the greatest
corporation In this state admitted on this
door that the property Of that corporation
pays only ons.hsH Of one per cent in
taxes There is an instance and 1t 10 the
duty Of this legislature to meet this Ques-
tiou here Ii 10 , matter which must re-
csive the attention Of the Republican
party aud 1t should not be strsugisd BY
the adroit and cunning means adopted by
the railroad lobby. As . Republican.
am not willing to 20 to my home with
record Of having lodged this question.
I appeal to you 70 dsal with this question
now and net dodge II because Of ths
plans Of the ring.
Mr.. Harris Of Aubu IN pleaded for ref
srencs to the next Legislature.
| Mr.. Cleveland Of houlton thought that
the matter should be met aow and II the
| legislature had wasted its time earlier In
the session IT might do its good work last.
The question was then put on the mo-
tien of Judge Smith to indsnDitsly post
pops and 1t was greeted with loud shout
Of "no'' The bill was then rsfsrlsd to
the committee on. taxation. Immediately
afterwards, Mr.. Macombsr introduced the
| following resolution:
"Ordersd that with view 10 the equal
ization Of taxation in this atats sndlascsr-
tanning the just proportional part Of the
public bunisns which should be borne by
the various possessors of property. and
the rights snd franchises held and exer.
eissd in this state, which may not be the
subjsot Of state, county and municipal
taxation according to their respective fair
values, the committee on taxation be
and hereby 10 authorized and dirsctsd
to inquire into the expediency Of amend