Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-25

Their motion by the same senator Senate
amendment A was adopted, and the bill
as amended took it's several readings,
and was passed to be engrossed.
On motion by Mr.. Gardner of Penob-
scot, bill, An Act relating to the cleo
ton of superintendent of schools, was
taken from the table, and on further
motion by the same senator, the bill
was indefinitely postponed.
On motion by Mr.. Clark of Hancock,
House Document 1872, An Act to regu-
late the taking of black bass from wa
tiers lying wholly or in part in the
county of Hancock, was taken from the
table; and, on further motion by the
same senator, Senate amendment A
was adopted, and under suspension of
the rules. took it's second reading, and
was passed to be engrossed.
On motion by the same senator, the
vote whereby the House document 500
was passed to be engrossed, was re-
considered, and on his further motion,
the same was laid on the table.
On motion by Mr.. Manley of Kenne-
bee, the vote whereby House Docu-
! mentt 4S?. relating to sea shore birds
/ was Indefinitely postponed, was recon-
7 sidered, and on his further motion, the
| bill was laid on the table.
On motion by Mr.. Goodwin of Somer.
| set, the bill, to repeal Section %, Chap
| ter 6, Revised Statutes, in relation to
| taxation of corporations, assigned for
| today was re-assigned for considera-
! ton. tomorrow.
On motion by the same senator, re-
| ports. committee on taxation, major
| ity, ought not to pass, minority Dug 1T
| to pass on bill relating to school funds
derived from savings bank tax, were
/ laid on the table.
| On motion by Mr.. Staples of Knox,
| reports of committee on judiciary, on
| bill to incorporate the Messalonskee
| Electric Company was postponed to
| later hour of this session for consid-
| Grafton
Report, committee on taxation, on
| bill providing for taxation of railroad
| companies according to cash value
! fought not to pass, came up for con-
| sideration by special assignment.
/ Mr.. STAPLES of Knox: Mr.. Presi-
| dent. This matter of the taxation of
| railroads according to the true value
| appears to me to be one of the most
| important measures that has come be-
| fore the Senate this winter. The ques-
| ton of taxation is agitating the minds
| If the people, today, more than 1t has
| for 20 years. 1 think you will agree
with me that there is nothing unfair
OF unjust in the bill. We have sat
here day after day, and ! have heard
of but one bill that tended to increase
| the revenue of the State. If you lock
a. the report of the finance committee,
i you will find you are $500 or $500 be-
| yond the income of the State. There
is no state in the Union that taxes the
| railroads so little as the State of Maine.
| In Michigan they tax railroads upon
| their cash value, and in the last year
| that state has raised in revenue $780,
0O0 This bill is framed almost word
for word with the Michigan bill which
has worked so admirably in that state
You are all aware that the railroads of
the State which comprise about $77,-
100000. are only paying one-half of l
per cent upon their gross receipts
while property of the State of Maine is
taxed upon it's value-or the most of il.
This places the whole taxation of rail-
roads in the hands of the State asses
sors. In this bill it is provided as in
the State of Michigan that the tax
when assessed and collected shall be
paid to the State treasurer, and ne
shall divide the same into two equal
parts, half of which shall remain in
the treasury for the benefit of the
schools Of the state. etc. Is there any
reason why the railroad property OF the
State of Maine should not pay tax
equal to that of other property in the
State of Maine. If there is any reason
would like to know it. In Iowa 1t is
taxed the same as other proerty. In
Illinois it is taxed on the mileage, and
taxed locally. Indiana taxes railroad
property according to municipal rates
In New Hampshire it is taxed the same
as other property. In New York it inc
I1h per cent. on the gross value. In
Rhode Island it is taxed the same as