Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-19
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prime functions OF civilized government
| where Is Its Wanted strength.
The position Of the Grange, as we un-
, derstand 1t. Is not to Cypress or impose
unjust or unequal burdens upon any OF
the legitimate Industries Of the State, but
70 ask as matter of fairness to the ag-
r1cuitural interests. that they be required
10 pay only their fair share of the public
burdens.
| AT the last session Of the State Grange,
the committee on taxation and legislation
was instructed to Investigate the question
OF taxation. and report its findings at this
session The committee has labored
| Iaithiuiiy and well, and Its report will be
spread before you for your consideration
ana such action as you may think best.
! i'or this reason VIC have not undertaken
| 10 dlscuss the matter in detail, as we do
moi desire to present views not In full ac-
cord with their report; not that we uiffer.
| that am aware Of. but we do not know
| just what the report of the committee
Will be, and we want the unbiased action
or the Grange upon their report when
| presented.
| In our last annual address VIC favored
| the abolition Of the fee system, since that
time. we have only been confirmed in
what we said then. The argument has
been advanced. by those who profit by
| Inc present law. that a change would
throw the cost upon the State. whereby
II Is now paid by individuals. We fail TO
see the logic of the argument, as. If
thought best. the law could be 80 amend
ed that all fees should revert TO the state
or county, and in some instances the
amount saved to the county on sheriff
ices alone. would more than pay htc to-
tai salaried account of the county. There
is no question but that the service is
abused in practice. AS one eminent gen
tleman has said. If our Governor Is worth
only $500 per year to the State il is bard
to believe a county sheriff Is worth from
$1,000 10 S2o,0G0 per year to a coJnty. All
opposition 10 the abolition of this PERM
cious system yet developed. Is an argu-
ment In favor OF Going away with the
nuisance.
We repeat what We said last year. while
the farmers realize the great benefit they
as a class. would derive from improved
highways. they are opposed TO the crea-
ton of State boards Of control for build
ing expensive roads until the tax burdens
of the State bear equally upon al classes
Of property. The farmers are willing 10
bear their fair share OF the pubic bur
den. but are not willing that the value
Of farm property sholld De still furtncr
deprecated by added burdens Of taxation.
either for road building or Cor any otner
purpose.
Al the same time IL becomes an impera-
tive duty on the part 81 each and every
municipality % 81" to IL That liberal APP
preparations are mad" for ihe building
and repairing Of all highways and that
such SONS are expended lib "a manner to
Insure the most complete public s"rsly.
and IN the most economical manner
Good roads are posSihl. under present an
preparations il the sans So Appropriated
are JCdiciously expended.
Mrs. r. ]. carrie next favored the au-
dience with d selection which was wen
received.
During the evening session occurred
the ron call " counties for introduc-
tiun of business to be- referred without
debate. Master Gardner exemplided
the unwritten work of the order.