The Somerset reporter., 1901-03-28
The Legislature

The legislature adjourned, Friday
afternoon without day. Its record has
been made. Mat that record IL cannot
be told with exactness until the last
measure is finally disposed of. Many
things have been done, some good and
some not SO good. There are sins of
omission and commission, but when all
entries on both sides of the ledger are
complete and balance is struck, it will
probably be found that the balance is on
the right side. The legislature was
elected on a definite platform. That
platform enjoined upon it certain duties.
Pre-eminenI among these was revision
and reform of the tax system, so as TO
make 1t conform more closely to the
constitutional requirement that all prop
erty shall be taxed according to it's just
value. The repute of this legislature
depends upon the success with which
it has performed its task of tax reform.
1t has done something-bas done con-
siderable-in this direction, but exactly
what can best be learned from the forth
coming official text of the new laws.
After the September election Sir Man
ley, who was candidate for speaker of
the House and was practically sure of
election, said in a public letter that
there were three things which the Re-
publican party must do in order to
retain control of the State. These were
First, we must thoroughly revise our systems
of taxation in accordance with the specific
promise made by the Republican State conyen.
ton, so that every kind of property Of whatever
nature or description shall bear its just proper
ton of the public burden.
Second, we must insist that the present pro-
hibitory law shall be strictly and rigidly en-.
forced in every section of the State.
Next we must wipe from the statute book
every law which contains the obnoxious fee
system.
Has it been donep Has the program
laid down by Mr.. Manley been carried
out to the full? The tax system ha'
been revised, to be sure, but how thor
oughlyP The rate on railroad earnings
has been increased, but have wild lands
been made to bear their lust proper
ton of the public debt? The legisla
tuIe seems to have been guided, to
considerable extent, by the recommen
dations of the State Grange in regard t,
taxation. The Grange, through it
committee on taxation, had advised tn
abolition of the governors council ant
the creation of the Office of a Stat
auditor, annual publication of itemize,
accounts of every State department
repeal of all laws establishing fees an
the substitution of salaries, pubicatio
of personal property lists within thirt
days, no further appropriations 70
more than two years, and finally, 18th
read justment of the systems of taxatio
prevailing in the State, touching rea
and personal property, railroads, stear
and electrics, express companies, will
lands, Pullman cars, electric light an
heat companies, water companies an
all other classes of property in accord
ance with the market value of same an
in harmony with that eternal principl
of Justice which is at the foundation Q
government" Applying its report
the committee made the following rec
concentrations on taxation:
First that the rate of taxation on stear
railroads be raised and the limit abolished.
Second, that the basis of taxation on tn
electric roads be changed and the rate changed
Third that Pullman cars be taxed on thei
gross receipts
| Fourth, that the tax be increased ON tee
graph and telephone companies.
| Fifth that trust companies be taxed on thei
interest bearing deposits, the same as saving
banks.
Sixth, that an annual tax on certain classe
| of corporations be levied.
Seventh, that a tax be placed on certain
benefciaries of private and special acts of tn
| legislature.
| Eighth, that the collateral inheritance ia,
be increased and graded
| Ninth, that the wild lands in unincorporate
| places shall be cassed by themselves and b
taxed at higher rate.
| Tenth, that tax be levied on corporations.
To partial extent these recommen
dations have been carried out, but OF
the whole the people have not reason t
be completely satisfied with the read
iustment of taxation made by thei
representatives.
As to the second of Mr.. Manley'
musts, the legislature has declined thu
proposition to resubmit the prohibitor,
amendment to the popular vote, bu
that was merely negative result. An
other negation is that although urgeC
| by the temperance people to do SO, j
has declined to class light beers among
Intoxicating drinks. 1t has also, we
believe, repealed the special constable
act, but it does not seem to have done
anything toward stricter enforcement
perhaps for the very good reason tina
there was nothing especial which /
could do. Even Speaker Manley voteC
| for admission.
The legislature has not indeed wipeC
'from the statute book every law which
contains the obnoxious fee system"
has done this partially, with relation tC
the sheriffs office and criminal pro
cesses in several counties, but not il
all, if memory serves. Whether it has
gone as far in this direction as it NIGH
have gone with advantage, remains tc
be seen. Whether also the Legislature
has achieved as much as it ought tC
have, in the direction of economy, il
open to question Portland Aduertiser
Ten thousand demons gnawing away at one
vitals couldn't be much worse than the torture,