Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-08-30


to see the matter. of the taxation OF
wild lands made a partisan matter in
this campaign" says Hon. Joseph p.
Bass16f Bangor. -
Mr.. Bass is one of the most prOmi
nent Democrats in the State, has long
been identified with the councils of the
party. and is the proprietor Of the
Bangor Commercial.
After considering the matter from
business. standpoint, Mr.. Bass feels
called upon to deplore the fact that
the Democratic managers have
dragged the wild lands issue into thu
campaign, and he expresses his con
sictions iE no uncertain terms.
"a is purely a matter of businrSS
between tnr state as q whole and iltt
s,yyut!s ul t:mLerIunds," says Mi. ia
and allegations that this or tina
;clitical party has had. or can have
any exclusive influence in handling I'll
tax matter are assertions unsupported
by facts.
Democrats and Republicans alik
own lands. The Board of State Asses
sors, in whose hands the matter o.
valuation lies. is non-partisan. Tn
questions relating to proposed legesla
ton in regard to taxation of wild lands
have, been threshed out before legisla
tive committees composed of good me"
from both the big parties. l believe j
am fair man, and l believe l ain
speaking with business fairness when
say that the men in this campaign
who are accusing the State admins
tration of undue favoritism to wild
lands, are taking a misguided partisan
standpoint that candid men canno'
sanction.
II have noticed frequently that mel
who have been noisiest regarding tn
alleged unequal taxation of wild lands
have displayed the least practica
knowledge of actual facts when put
fhc test. For instance. last season.
Liberty b. bennett of Portland ca
before the Legislature with a propose
zion that WAS 50 contrary to proNcl
business facts and prudence. that the
committee reported the bill ought ho'
RI nass' There are Democrats rs
we'll as Republicans on the COMMITTEES
No party lines were drawn. No one
can impugn their judgment. AS :;
business proposition the bill wa
tIrerhed unwise and its provisions ui'
juSt.
1.-THE wild land owners of Maine ar.
reasonable men, willing to pay LAY
that honest business Judgment shall
find equitable after fair hearing o
both sides They ask, however. tina
o;her property owners in Maine sinai
H. Al fair to the owners of wild land
III inc fatter' are inclined to be fair Z
other taxpayers.
"Tha N2rest point In considering wilC
land taxation lies right here I'M
oUnt.ls 90 Maine timberlands do no
lavHl the same exclusive rights owe
their prsferty as do owners of farms
and ptlfer estates.
The state adverGses broadcas
over the country inviting sportSmel
L. GENE 80 h"r forests. They com
and range thn woods wherever the,
please. tPhe common law allows then
the privilege. The State asks ihcm I
como ana ushers them upon the TIM
iirr hands sometimes to the diSaStrou
exrt.t-,- III the tirllerland owners W0'
I,nve ~ hear the loss by fires and othe
d,urriltions.
II. have no hesitation in asserting II
I-AaIf. ~f all timberand owners whom
know, that if these owners coui'
have, ~ -,;Xclusiye control or thei
property as the farmer has over Ill
acrCs. he proprietors of wild land
NoHd cieerfuly pay the same rate o
taxation as the farmer. But, Their
are no fences around timberands-n'
tresrass signs. no men guarding tisl
;,onIs with shot guns.
Therefore, without going into fig
tnd
Profits Of wild lands are in the popula
mind. l believe that any fair-mindeC
Property holder will admit that thu
owner of timberlands in this one ar
EumSnt, shows that Maine ought t
proceed cautiously before imposns
taX,Iiipp,op wild lands to satisfy 4 Ger
tain, Eopdlac cl&m6r based on nlisap
preheAsj0u as %. actual values If tim
berlands-"
Mr.. Bass sounds note in the cam
raign that calls for consideration
Some Democratic speakers have fol
lowed their declarations that will
lands are escaping just taxation b
the partisan claim that if they ge
control of the State government the
will remedy the situation. Display
ing the usual Democratic lack c
definiteness, they do not say just ho'
they will set about this process {
taxation reorganization.
tits we'll to note that the preser
board of State assessors is steadily il
creasing the valuation; the increase
the last fifteen years having near
doubled the valuation. This isn't
democratic promise. It is q Republ
can performance. And it has beg
SarA carefully and with due regard f