Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-22
FINE TIME
CONTINUED from page II

ror+ sto,,1d he made to direct TINS great
an,o,,,,t ~ energy. so that the WORK
vhau MT onlv be made pleasant ana en-
1oyahle hut shall elevate, encourage
strenethen and improve the members.
We arc pleased to notice the marked
,r,nroyament in the character OF the
nroorams Of the Oranges throughout
the state during the past year. 1here
Ia. been a decided increase in papers
.nd discussions on practical topics, ana
~ 1i,f1al social and educational reforms
We must advance still farther in this
direction. IL the dignity. influence ami
,eefulness Of our order are to be mann
tanned. While field days and gala days
and dress parades may be pleasant ana
nerhars necessary to demonstrate the
life cf an institution like this. yet we
must not forget that in the disipiine
and every day work o. the subordinate
Grange lie the real power ana uselui-
ness OF our order.
Tn former reports, I have recommends
Cd in detail the character and plan 81
lecture work, that consider best nttad
IN elevate our order to 4 higher state OF
uaefu,ncss In this report, I wish 10
refer briefly to a few central topics tnat
think in some form should form
prominent part of the discussions IN our
Grange programs for the coming year
Farm TOPICS should be discussed IRON
the standpoint of greatest profit we
should not only consider how to produce
a given article, but we should know the
cost Of the production.
There is tendency through habit to
pursue lines Of work lorg after they
cease t. be profitable, and to neglect TO
adjust our work to new conditions that
constantly arise.
The Grange through discussions,
should constantly show up the new con-
ditions and relations Of life and bust
ness which point to greater profit AMI
better living.
That cooperation through organiZa-
ton in some form is to solve or mater
tally effect many Of the political. social
and Industrial problems. no one ques-
TONS Ard that this organization Is
peculiarly adapted to teach the lessons
necessary to the successful carrying
out Of such cooperation is equally tru"
All discussion and all practice In this
direction is preparing us for the larger
work that is sure to follow.
The problem of taxation. not new
one. but like the poor, is always with
us The tax gatherer is no more popular
today tar in the days of Caesar 1t al
ways has been is now and always must
be the chief concern of the people that
everybody shall bear his proportional
part Of the expenses. rece ssary for the
common welfare. 1t is practically
agreed by all that the tax burden rests
more heavily on the farm property than
upon other properties of the State. The
State assessors show us q State valua-
ton Of about 1890, 0O0, 900 based upon the
values Of taxable property While the
United States assessors claim that in
the State. there is property to the
amount of $3.50 900, 900. of in round num-
bers one-half the property of the State
is paying the tax for the whole. and
In that half Is included the farm prop
crty. Personal property 10 rapidly dis
appearing from our tax lists. and some
thing should be done to bring this prop
crty to light. unless We adopt the single
land tax. which no one proposes to do.
The Grange through its Legislative
committee at the last session of the
Legislature. attempted to bring to
light some Of this property in the form
of stock in manufacturing and other
Chap. 6. now See. 25 of Chap o This
large amount of property is plainly
taxable BY the laws of the State. but
by using Sec. % of Chap. 9. an obsolete
section. never intended to apply to this
class of property, the taxpayer is al
lowed to escape. The House of Repre-
sentatives at the last session of the
Legislature voted to repeal the law
without a dissenting vote. but the Sen
ate under the influence of a powerful
lobby of corporate interests succeeded
in defeating the measure.
But after bringing to light all the
property of the State. still the question
of equalization remains: for much OF
the property Is in wild lands and other
forms that bear only a State and coun-
ty tax. which is very low. And proper
~ becoming massed at centers. nat
urally gives those centers small tax
or greater public conveniences.
This inequality can only be reached
and overcome by making the unit OF
collection and expenditure larger, eth
err the county or State. l believe more
of the local expenditure should be made
II State tax. BY allowing the counties
to support the poor and the State the
insane, and placing a larger proportion
Of the school and road expenditure up.
on the State, We would place the public
expenditure upon all the property OF
the State where it belongs. Many of tn,
Western states are pursuing this pol
icy. for it Is the natural outcome of tn,
growth Of communities.
The distribution of the school fund t.
the cities and towns, strictly accord
ing to the number of scholars in eacl
locality. Is not in accordance with tn
spirit and purpose of taxation and edu
cation, to give every child equal edu
cational advantages as far as practi
cable. This division gives the populou:
centers undue educational advantage:
; which should be overcome by allowin.
smaller communities a larger proper
ton. The State recognized the necessit,
Of this under the district system o
towns. by allowing them to set asid,
20 per cent. Of the money to be expend
ed in the smaller districts. in order t.
somewhat eQualize the educational ad
vantages.
- The subject of good roads and rura
telephones should be discussed in thei,