Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-08
Daily ksnneber Jcarna.
AUGUSTA LOCALS.
STATE HOUSE.
Railroad Commissioner Chad
bourne Talks About Taxation.
Workmen Have Begun Painting Cell
ing and Walls of Rotunda.
Portrait Of Ex-Governor Perham Added TO State
Collection.

Railroad Commissioner Chadbourne
always has some interesting idea to adj
vance Or reminisence to relate when
ever opportunity presents itself. Dur
ing a recent conversation ne referred
to the fact as stated in these columns
several days ago, that he was one of
the first members elected to the Board
of State Assessors at the time OF its
creation by the Legislature of 1891.
THE last report of the Board of State
Assessors, is n splendid one" said Mr..
Chadbourne to the writer. Surely
every citizen of the State will be glad
to note the evidences of prosperity
there referred to. The scope of the
work of the board has been greatly en-
larged since the establishment of the
department, and now there are few
States in the country which produce a
better report regarding taxable prop
erty of every kind than does in our own
State of Maine. The result of the Leg
islation of last winter increasing the
rate of taxation on corporations and
imposing new taxes on such property
as parlOr cars, trust companies and the
like must be very satisfactory. by
means of these new laws the States in
come has been largely increased. Next
year the increase will be even greater.
Put there is one phase of the taxa
ton problems which the assessors are
wisely considering, and that is the oc
casional meetings of local boards of as
SCISSORS to discuss the methods of Valu-
alton of property so that a more uni
form and equitable systems in all the
Of al ha oct a h1i she'd
There is quite Il difference, apparently,
in the tax rates of towns. In some
places the rate of taxation is high and
the valuation low while other towns
values property to nearly its full value,
thus reducing the rate. 1t will be no
ticed that the rate varies from one mill
on the dollar of valuation to eight cents
and five mills. For my part, I'd rather
have my property valued low and
taxed a high rate than to have the re-
verse rule applied, but it wouldn't be
so well for the town.
Speaking of this point reminds me
that when [ was on the board town
down in Washington county objected
to the valuation we had placed upon it.
l think the amount was $4,000. A hear
ing was given the municipal officer by
the board. At the hotel l met a man,
a resident of the town, and l asked him
how the valuation on his property sat
isfied him. and he replied that his farm
and all his property was valued at
$500. which he thought fair and just.
THAT afternoon the hearing was had
and this same man was the star wit
ness for the petitioners. 1t was brought
out in his testimony that he owned
big farm, cut 125 tons of hay that year.
kept 20 yoke of oxen and 20 pairs OF
horses, which he used in carrying on
big numbering business every winter,
and yet all this property was only
valued at $500. 1t was worth $4,000 to
$1,000 at least. He had secured a fair
valuation from the town assessors and
then tried to secure a reduction of the
state valuation.
No doubt these sort of cases are
known to the State assessors now, but
| think there is very much more uni
| formity in valuation and consequently
in the tax rate than there was a dozen
| wears ago