Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-20

time.
Mr.. BLANCHARD-I haven't the
data.
Mr.. TOLMAN-Mr. Speaker. 1 ask
unanimous consent to address the
House.
Objection was made by Mr.. Donigan.
Mr.. MURPHY Of Portland-Mr.
Speaker, do not believe that we are
sufficiently well informed on the
bridge proposition, at least in Port
land. We have a peculiar condition OF
affairs in Portland; and in talking with
the different members here / find a
difference of opinion even among those
who advocate the bill For instance,
We have one bridge there under process
of construction which will not be fin
ished for a few years which will cost
us 100000 or 100000. What I would
like to know is, if that bridge will be
included in the provisions of this bill?
This bill says that all bridges shall be
taken July l, 1907. Now, some of the
gentlemen informed me that this
bridge, partially completed, would be
included in this bill. The newspapers
of Portland, one in particular which
always knows just what is right, says
| it will not be included. Every bridge
down there running from Portland to
! the adjoining towns is draw bridge
and has two tenders. We want to
know who is going to pay the salaries
| OF the tenders. | believe the promoters
! OF the bill say that the State would
| pay the bills.
! we have another bridge there, the
Martins Point bridge. ! want you to
consider it. 1t is also draw bridge,
something like 1000 feet long. which
VIII have to be rebuilt pretty soon l
want TO say also that We do not want
any outside help. We are perfectly
willing 10 take care of all bridges built
In Portland. but if this bill is going to
become & law we want it understood
just what it means We have another
bridge, an overhead bridge, which
some gentlemen tell US is rot bridge,
that 1t IS crossing; but Il pamphlet
published by some department of this
state says that it is Il bridge and it is
cataioguad as such, and that is thu
Clark street overhead bridge. Now, il
the gentlemen VINO advocate this bill
VIII make this matter plain to us We
VIII perhaps be satisfied with it. / no.
tlce the gentleman says that each coun-
ty would pay about $1,000 but accord
ing to his own figures the county Of
Cumberland will pay about $4,000.
Gentlemen. what We want is informa-
ton in regard to this. If you are
thoroughly satisfied that this bill is ell
right, Let il so.
Mr.. SMITH OF Patten: Mr.. Speaker,
1 had not intended at this time to Of
fer any observations upon this bill.
| T1l1t i;1t CT,
as l nave been listening to the views
of the people throughout the State. For
the last few months in every country
store. III every blacksmith shop. by cv-
cry freside, has been discussed the
question OF the equalization of taxa
ton. 1t is the opinion today, i be-
; lieye, of the vast majority of the peo-
pie of this State that you can best
equalize taxation rot by constitutional
amendments but by taking some of the
burdens from The municipalities and
placing them upon the State where
they belong-not the municipal burden
: of building water works which are
solely for local use. not for the
purpose of building city halls, not for the
purpose of building town houses, but for
those purposes which all the people OF
the State are interested in III common.
Every bridge in the State of Maine,
: whether it crosses an arm of the sea at
| York. whether it crosses the Androscog-
gin at Lewiston or the Kennebec at Au-
gusta or any other point from its source
to its mouth
Mr.. NORTHUMBERLAND. Speaker. I
rise TO ask Il question. l understood the
Chair to say that, this bill not having
had it's first reading, discussion of it is
8 not in order. 1 suggest that the gentle
man is out of order
| The SPEAKER-The Chair will rule
that the gentleman from Fatten (Mr.
, smip is in order. (Applause).
Mr.. SMITH-As l observed, every
bridge whether it crosses those broad
t highways to the sea or the smaller
streams throughout the State. is pubic:
, highway over which all of the people of
the State travel. Why should not all the
people of the State support them? What
, reasons can be given for not doing 1t :
My friends from Portland complain that
Portland will be assessed probably an ad-
ditional tax. If that is true, then 1t fol
lows that they have not heretofore been
bearing their equal share of the pubic
burdens, because that is public burden
and if the country bridges under the new
order of things Tor all the people Vi Tie
State add more to their burdens. it fol-
lows that my friends from Port
land or my friends from Bango:
> or my friends from anywhere
; else from whence complaints como
have not heretofore borne their just
share of the burden. There has not
been on these subjects Of public utility
an equalization of taxation. That is
what is the trouble now. We are up
, | against that proposition, with the
voice of the people calling for equali-
, cation of taxation. Are the members
of this House and of this Legislature
, going to turn down the first PROPOSE
ton which comes before them that has
tendency in that direction? l do not
, believe it.
! 1t is said that they have not had
T time. Do they ever intend to take
+ time? This bill in its original form
, was introduced on the 18th of January
They have had more time behind them