The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-05-06

The report that the ''Pattangall CO.
terie why not say ring instead of
coterie?-is trying to shelve Obadiah
Gardner finds confirmation in the attacks
upon the late Democratic leader because
Of his course at Augusta as chairman of
the Grange legislative committee. We
should have more sympathy for Brother
Gardner if he had not faced two ways on
the liquor question. AS a candidate for
Master of the State Grange he was an
ardent prohibitionist, while as the Demo-
cratic candidate for governor he was for
re-submlsslon. as stepping stone to Ii
SENSE or free rum. In one respect, how
ever, lie is entitled to sympathy. With
Pa1taNgall's tongue and pen against him
he is 10 be pitied. And to make bad mat
teri for Gardner-worse, Oliver Otis has
drawn his snickersee and taken the war
path against the offending Granger and
politician. Of Mr. Gardner 'sssspeech at
d recent Grange meeting defending the
course OF the legislative committee of
the order the Rockland Opinion says
That legislative committee were chosen to
ioOk out for the interests in legislation of the
1000 members of the order in this State; and
we understand they receive pretty good pay to
DO SO. 1t will take more than is said or ind-
cated by Gardner in his speech to satisfy lots
Of people that they We're entirely true to their
trust Il IS not denied that they were honest.
Su- that does not absolve them from giving an
intelligent and satisfactory explanation of their
course. And that is anxously awaited
This legislative committee is charged
With having spent the winter working
with the wild land ring and it is said
thsr the bill they tried 50 hard to defeat
ever the more reasonable wild land
owners conceded was not harsh one to
thejr interests In defense of this COM
mit,ee Mr.. Gardner said in his speech:
IL he matter of mill tax on wild land we
believed in equity and the education of our
children. We believe that TIE tax to do this
7hcu'd apply to all alike. We still believe that
.he Wild lands are not properly assessed. In
stead OF being taxed for S40,000,0OO it should
ne 81 millions one man says it should be 100
millions Every mill on taxation means SAL
DOC on wild lands. We believe in taxing for
highways distributed equally over the State
The distribution has been unequal
Mr.. Wing of kingfield was sponsor for the
bill introduced, yet he hid the bill that would
have added S4l,o00 more to the wild lands.
The city OF Portland represents one-eighth of
the tax of the State but the wild land tax
would add to their portion If you distribute
school fund there would be many things I'M
tar The committee did oppose the bill that
was passed because it was unfair We had
rather defeated the bill because it was unfair
and unjust. Not only that but it was uncon-
5ttuuona and the legislature itself are in
chned to believe this. Two members of the
supreme court had also intmated the same to
the speaker. Twenty two thousand members
of the grange have pettioned the committee
10 the same effect.
To which the Rockland Opinion re-
joins,
Il this Is all the defense the committee have
10 U1er, II may as well let the matter stand as
L :. Every argument made by Mr.. Gardner
against the bill was urged as forcibly as possible
IN the Legislature while the bill was under consid-
efatlon. ana every one was promptly met and
answered. The criticisms that have been passed
On the committee We're formulated with fu1l
knowedge of all the points made against the
Dill 1t may be conceded that Mr. Gardner and
ms associates were sincere in believing that it
Is unjust to tax the wild lands as they have
p@en taxed, but there are many who differ with
her sharply.
lie statement signed by Mr.. Gardner
ana four other members of the Grange
legis alive onaittee has been dissected
~ Alr. Pattanga!l in manner that leaves
1h@ committee not a leg to stand on. We
haze not space for the details, but this is
VI t'arrangall's conclusions:
he published report only confuses the mat
ter --il more than it was already confused. be-
a--a the report is neither fair, accurate nor