Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-28
MAINE LEGISLATURE,
Continued from Page One.)

DER suspension of the rules the resolve
look its two several readings and was
passed to be engrossed without refer
ence to a committee
On motion of Mr.. Heselton of Kenne-
pee House Document No. GAS San Act
10 amend an act entitled An Act addi-
tional to Chapter 40 OF the Revised
Statutes. relating to insurance and to
insurance companies approved March
3, 1907 " was taken from the table On
further motion by the same senator the
bill took its second reading and was
passed TO be engrOssed.
On molten by Mr.. Bailey of Somerset
House Document No. 260. IAN Act TO
amend Chapter of the Revised Stat
utes, relating to the better protection of
sheep" was taken from the table On
further motion by the same senator
House amendment 3 was adopted: and
on his further motion the bill as
amended was passed to be engrossed
On motion Of Mr.. Stearns Of Penob-
scot Senate Document No 1872 was TAX
en- from the table and on his further
motion the report of the committee was
adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Scwall Of Saga6a-
hoe Senate Document No. So Resolve
with reference to rebate of taxes to
railroads was taken from the table.
Mr.. SEWALL Of Sagadahoc: Mr.
President. That resolve was introduced
by me at the termination of our discus
sion in regard to the questions pro-
pounded to the supreme court as to re-
bate Of taxation. on the motion Of the
senator from Knox.
The Senate took its position at that
ct 10 I<
lieyed then. and / believe now that
those rebates previously granted by
the State ought to stand. I believe they
would stand if the question had been
referred to the supreme court. think
the circumstances under which they
were granted We're perfectly well IN
derstood at the time. That is to say that
those roads which were needed did need
this assistance and the State had no
money to pay them in the form Of a
subsidy and It had no land TO give them
at the time. For those lands had been
given away to the European and North
American Railroad. All the lands in
that section would naturally have gone
to those roads, and the action of the
Legislature of those days will stand
and would be exactly the action which
we would take under similar conditions.
did they exist today We have no apOl-
ogies to make for that action at all.
My Resolve is as follows:
Resolve with reference to rebate OF
taxes to railroads.
Resolved: That rebates Of taxes
granted railroads by former Legisla-
lures without regard to party to aid in
the Industrial and commercial develop
ment of the State. ought not on prin-
ciples Of equity, and in justice to con-
tracing parties and innocent purchas-
ers. be disturbed, but it is the sense Of
this body that such rebates should
neither be newly granted nor extended
in any manner that can be construed
as an exemption from taxation.
At the time I introduced that re-
solve there were in the Legislature. and
being introduced into the Legislature.
several railroad bills. extensions of
those roads. all Of which put upon the
table intending to cmbody. if the SEN
ate adopted this resolve. the sense of
this resolve in the amendment in those
bills. At that time. after had tabled
the bills, | was called home and the
situation in my family for 10 days was
such that I did not expect to return
here this session. Believing that the
great corporations. whose interests
were involved. ought not to suffer by
reason Of my absence. telephoned the
chairman Of the committee on rail-
roads to take from the table the most
important hill, providing for the eaten
sion of the Somerset Railroad, and nut
il on its passage.
Previously two bills. relating to the
IL. q A. r. X. were taken from the ia
BILE and put on their passage, as they
provided for no great extensions, being
only cut-offs and short roads, which
would relieve the other roads of a
longer run and over steep grade | am
careful in explaining this to the SEN
ate because the subject involved is
rather intricate. and | want the sena-
tors to understand exactly the situation
when / ask for vote upon this re-
solve. The Bangor & Aroostook Road.
which contemnlates the largest extern
sion of all. has had no bill in at this
session authorizing that extension
They received their authority in 1908 in
Chapter % of the Private and Special
Laws at that time. which | believe was
intended to give, and l believe il did
give them the right to receive this re-
bate of State taxes on all their extern
sions. The Somerset Railroad bill, which
was taken up by the chairman Of the
committee on railroads. which is now
passed by both bodies. does not, on any
construction that I can find, grant re-
bates to that road.
Now. without going into individual
statements as regards the future pros
pent of our railroads in this State. do
believe that it will be admitted that the
situation today is different one from
what il was when the Legislature au-
thorized the contract to he entered into
with the Somerset and Washington
County and the Il. & A. K. r.. that they
should receive this rebate OF 95 per cent.
taxes for carrying troops. While I Jus
tify in every way the authorization Of
those contracts at that time. do be-
lieve now that no road will be project :
ed in the state of Maine which will
need any such aid. If the road should
depend upon that aid in its Inaugural
ton. believe it would be proof positive
that the road should not be built at all,