Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-08-25

cent up, SurlOuiiueu ny tHe SduLy LIS |
sue of deception and labelled "Our |
Campaign
RS pretty shaky balloon-the whole |
+hine-and this state tax matter isn't |
bclping much in keeping it up.
"TLe direct State tax ii 1905 was |
.9,817i1s," Democracy cries over and
over. without qualifying the figures by
exclamation as to why and wherefore. |
Do the voters of Maine know that
the state tax at which Democracy
noints as such burden on the people.
is only approximately 35 per cent. of
the receipts of the State?
The railroads alone were taxed in
1868 10 the tune Of 1919 1899, consider
Z able more than half the entire direct
State tax.
In the face Of such a comparison.
1 how does the Democratic claim that
the railroads are not bearing their
share of State tax burdens. strike the
fair-minded voter?
II should also be remembered. that
besides this State tax every 'sAlaine
railroad nays taxes on station build
ings, land, etc, III municipalities like
any citizen of the community and at
the same rate.
Democracy ieers at figures presanti
ed by the Republican administration,
attempting to ridicule facts that it
cannot answer.
1t seeks to laugh away the proven
and accepted truth, that the State
treasury returns to towns in Maine
grand total that exceeds the sums paid
in direct tax by the towns. The excess
is provided for by indirect tax of
nature understood by most persons at
all familiar with State affairs.
The Democrat, who has been the
most persistent during this campaign
in making fun of figures presented d.
rect from the State books, is William
X. Pattangall of Machias. gentlemen
who never lets the truth stand IN the
way of joke. He has alleged repeat
edly, that the State exacts the direct
tax from towns and then, in effect
turns nothing back. lie says that the
return may appear SO from figures, but
that in reality it isn't 50.
This is the usual Democratic method
Of sweeping away hard facts.
Now. who is William r. Pattangall,
Democracy humorist?
What has he been in the past!
What has he said.
He was q Republican in 1901, and
came to the House as a Republican
representative from Machias.
on March L.. 1901, he arose IN MS
place and 50 it appears from the Leg
islativerecorfs, page 1873. Mr. rattan
gall made a speech. Those VINO were
present say he was very much in earn
est. That was before he turned Demo-
crat ana became joker
This Is what he said on that occa-
sion:
an regard to the general financial
condition of the State therefore. only
want to suggest this, that the State Oh
Maine taxes its people directly at tht
nreeent time. and no proposition is yet
before the House to raise the dlrect
tax 4 sum equal to about 100000
wear only: that of that 100000. $'oo'oo'
is exncnded by the state for education
al purposes, for schools, academies
training schools, normal schools aho
colleges. SO that the whole direct tax
which falls upon the property of tht
naon,e Of Maine with the exception o.
S,ro ooO goes back directly to aSSis
In educating the boys and girls OF the
State.
Fake from that $150,000 the amour
NJ money refunded to the cities am
towns in railroad and telegraph TAX
and the sums, which under the new
bill introduced in this Legislature g
for soldiers pensions, you take ui
every dollar and more than every dol
lar. which is directly levied IN tiAatioi
on the property of the state OF Maihe
So that the people of this state nav
their executive department. thei
courts, their prisons. their hospltai
and all other public institutions. IN
Guiding the magnificent sum OF $l53'
900 expended in charity. covered ny
systsu If indirect taxation which fall
not upon the farms and mills and YES
sells Of the State, but upon great cor
porations of the State upon the say
ings banks upon the railroads, olectrl
reads telegraph and telephone com
NAMES: and the tax from which "
are seeking to relieve ourselves Is nc
the State tax, for today i'll spite of tn
charge of extravaganza made igans
the Republican administration
Maine by gentlemen OH the floor of TIN
House. the state tax is lower than
has ever been since the year 1862. wit
the single exception of two years dun
ing the administration of Henry
CleaVes because i'll the last 20 yeai
we have devised that system of ind
rect taxation. because we have sougi
methods ana means for spending mcr
ey for the good of the people of Main
not taken directly from them "
have been enabled to do in Maine f,
the schools and for the roads of IL
State at large more than We ever cou
have done under the old system of Il
rect taxation. and when men tell abo
the increasing expenditures of Il
State and attribute it to the eXtrav;
gance Of that party to which m:
jority of us belong. they should in Il
same breath. if they are to be ia
about 1t. state also that the State t;
has been reduced. I believe the expeno
lures have been wisely increased. al
whether they have or not the burd
of the increase has not fallen upon I
poor farmers of the State or the man
facturers. 1t has fallen in the Sta
of Maine, as the increased ezpenditur
nf fba nation bay, IA lien in that SN