The Somerset reporter., 1907-01-10

Maine is more prosperous now than
ever before in her history. Visible
evidences OF this are on every hand
and commercial and Industrial statis-
tics prove il beyond doubt. Agricul-
ture and it's kindred branches the
great industries dependent upon for
ests and water ways, the multitude Of
manufacturing enterprises, the small
err but not less important trade that
responds so readily to the movements
of the larger interests, all have shared
in the unprecedented prosperity that
has rested of late upon the entire
country, and all have contributed to
the wealth and wellbeing of the State
The railroads are still developing new
territory and furnishing additional ia
cilities TO the old, steamboats, are en-
larging and improving their service
and electric roads are reaching from
the centres of population to quicken
the life and resources of the smaller
communities The scenic charms Of
the State have not yet lost their pow
er to allure, and both city and country
have profited from the tides of travel
that sweep over them in an ever
swelling volume. The uninterrupted
growth of the deposits in the banks
and savings institutions testify to the
soundness and stability of general
business conditions throughout the
State, and the very marked increase
| In those deposits prove that the wage
Garner the fundamental factor in the
creation and support of values, is en-
joying and improving the opportuni-
ties which have been opened to his
labor and his skill
One of the industries, however that
has made Maine famous in the past is
now languiShing, and that is ship
building. Our State is particularly
well adapted to the successful prose
cuton of this business, and its decline
and present deplorabe condition must
be attributed in great part to the fail
ure OF the National Government to
adopt measures that will place this
class of property in a position to COM
pete for the ocean carrying trade of
our own and other nations. Our Sen
ators and Representatives in Wash
ington have labored intelligently and
persistently in its behalf, and it is
most gratifying to know that their eff
forts, aided as they are by the friends
Of allied interests in New England
and certain other States, have brought
1 the Congress to give to the question
| such serious and practical Considera-
/ ton as to warrant hope that the
near future will bring relief to revive
and restore this important branch of
Names commercial activity
A discussion of the merits and de
fects of any system of taxation adopt
ed by a State, and the wholly neces-
sary and jHstifiable efforts of the law.
making Body to reconcile the various
interests involved opens a wide field
| for argument based on both fact and
conjecture. BY universal agreement
taxes are a necessary burden. and the
| welfare of the State, municipality and
individual demands that taxes be
eQualzed in order that every class of
property shall bear its relative and
proportionate share. But the accept
ance of this theory does not material.
ly lessen the practical difficulties OF
the problem, nor renders some prop
erty holders less susceptible to the de
sire to evade the payment of that
proportionate share OF one phase OF
this question we may be sure and
that is that there is a widespread
feeling among the people of the State
that certain classes of property are
not paying now their just share oil
the taxes, and they look with conf
dence to this Legislature to investigate
the conditions, and If abuses exist tC
seize and apply the remedy. 1t is a
mistake and wrong to call this feeling