Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-02-27

and Augusta have urged such 4 IaU.
ana quite fight IN its behalf was
Waged two years ago. Hon. (. +. lib
By and Judge l.. 4. StearnS were thc
attorneys for the merchants the FOR
me;' conducting the hearing. The Maine
Trading stamp Co, Of which Henry S.
Osborn lS NJ the head was represent
Ell by Hon. Geo. NJ SriGerg. while IGog-
ter 4 Herscy Of Portland. ana C.fIa.;
q. Heard of Eiddeford represented Ger
tain merchants Of those two cities who
use stamps and oppose the proposed
law.
ihefe We're many witnesses before
Inc committee. chiefly merchants Nho
deAoHhccd the trading stamp scheme
as Unfair competition ana humbug
~ ltstif, cutting of the profit Of the
.ic-Sliaflt VINO is enSnared in IL ana de
ct!NllS the' customer An interesting
Wlt,eSS was Hon. Samuel W. George Of
faNefhlll, Mass, a member of the
Massachusetts Senate in 1897. when h,
introduced the bill now a law which
nas GriVcn the trading stamp business
out Of Massachusetts New Har1n-
shire. Vermont and Rhode Island nave
passed similar laws. j. r. I.ihhv az
Portland. and w. +. Youland Of Bid
de1ord, We're Two prominent merchants
VINO spoke earnestly for the bin
rouhdiy denouncing the stamp bust
ness. Representative Bradford of East
port explained the workings of the sys-
TEN in his city and urged the passage
of the bill
AZ II O'Clock. after numerous mer-
chants had appeared in favor of the
bi!l. Mr.. Seidels opened for the oppo-
sltlon. declaring that the trading
stamp business as conducted by the
company lie represented is a perfectly
legitimate form OF advertising and
lhat II is only 4 form of advertising.
ne presented circumstances against
INC froposed law signed by 1900 citizens
- me state who use trading stamps.
"i Whom la6 are merchants. OF these
demonstrating merchants 30 are in
bangor. 81 m Portland - in Biddeford
= IN FoXcroft and Dover. ) in Belfast
ST.. showing that not all merchants
oph"Sc Inc trading stamp scheme Mr.
Selheis sad that in several states sim
'ial laws have been held unconstitu-
tl"nAl ~ The supreme courts.
me nest speaker was o. II Herray
ESQ. Of Portland. representing Orren
ii0or"rs sons ana other Portland mer-
chants. against the bill H. l.. ort4rs
IN" manager ~ the Boston branch 3r
u" Trading stamp 20. explained ana
defended the business. Mr.. Watson
Of Watson. Miller & Co.. Portland Nh
johnson, 4 Milo diy goods merchant
ana J. j.. Mccobb Of Eoothbav Har-
~
benefit to them ana good form III Hal
Nert.Slhg- carlos N. Heard. ESQ. Of
+ dietord, spoke briefly FOR Thu many
hiddef"rd merchants Who oppose the
hiii. Az l--c0 the testimony was in ana
thr closing arguments We're made by
air Seideis and Judge Foster for the
remGnstrants ana IN NIL Libby for tn
lr-t Fl-r chief ground Of the remuu-
st1aHts was that sucn Il Iaw would le
unconstitutional. AT little paNt |
tAc committee adjourned.
Ihr committee an taxation met I'LL
tha Senate chamber. Tuesday evening.
tn consider tAc bill increasing the rate
of taxation on Wild Lands. Tile bill es-
( LahllShrs z State t4N VI seven mills or
Nild lands, based On the valuation IL
/ 'i" state NM. fSotS in place If the
rirs, nt rate uf III, per cent. which IL
/ thr general rate ~ state taxation. At-
t"rne< General Geo. Nj. Seiders ANVIL
dressed the committee ana gave the
opinion That ii would ~ uncunstitu-
ti"nal ~ force a special ratc of taxa
tnn upon wild lands above the STATE
rate Of taxation upon other uroprrtv.
iiun. II. N. Heath supported this vie,v.
Numerous Wild Iand owners were pres
eLt, !. +. Bass Of Bangor. F. T. Camp
bell IF Cbeirylield, ana others. but th4v
did nut speak. II Was the feeling that
the opinion Of the attorney general had
killed The prospects Of the biIl. Later
IN executive session the committee
voted ought 10 pass on the bill raising
ne rate Of the tax On all collateral
inheritances above $500 from 2Ia Der
cent. to Per cent.
For regular proceedings. routine mat
ter. remarks. etc. see official steno-