Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-06

been lost, and that the recording off,
GERS of the two branches of this legis-
lature be instructed to receive such
substitute for the original bill for the
purpose of completing their records.
The order was received by unanimous
consent passed and sent down for con-
currence.
Mr. Bartlett of Kennebec. by unani-
nous consent, presented a resolve out of
order. providing for the payment of tele-
phone service for members during the
present session of the Legislature. and
by motion of the same Senator under
suspension of the rules, the resolve was
read twice, passed to be engrossed and
sent down for concurrence.
The PRESIDENT: The Chair lays
before the Senate S. D. No. 427, Resolve
proposing an amendment to the consti-
tuition relative to the authority of the
Legislature to impose taxes.
Mr. HOLT of Cumberland: Mr.. Presi-
dent and fellow Senators. move that
S. D. No. 427. Resolve proposing an
amendment to the constitution relating
to the authority of the Legislature to
iihpOSc II%AtS, NC PeeoSSt ~ pC CHS oSSed.
(For debate see Legislative Record)
The PRESIDENTS: The senator from
Cumberland, Senator Holt, moves that
this resolve be passed to be engrossed
and he also asks that it be taken by
yeas and nays.
The PRESIDENTS: Those in favor of
the motion of the senator from Cum
berland, Senator Holt, that this re-
solve he passed to be engrossed, will,
when their name is called by the sec
rotary, say yes" Those opposed to the
motion of the senator from Cumber-
land will say NO" The secretary will
call the roll.
Mr. MARSHALL of Cumberland: Mr..
President. do l understand the ques-
ton is put or is it still open for de-
bate?
Mr.. PRESIDENT: 1t is still open for
debate.
Mr.. MARSHALL: very much dislike
to disagree with my colleague from
Cumberland. but it seems to me that
the hasty action of which he speaks
is being had ar the present time.
This resolve was presented on the
Goth day Of March. under suspension
of the rules. and tabled for printing. I
90 not understand that there has been
an open committee hearing on this par
ticular resolve. It Is true no doubt the
record shows that an order was pass
ed early in the session for the commit
tee on taxation to consider an income
tax or intangible property tax NY rec
objection is that the committee reported
tax on intaneibles, or at least
hot how a 7
that they did not report favorably on the
income taxi may be mistaken-anyway,
it seems to me that the Legislature had
rather reached the conclusion that no res
oluton of this sort would be offered at
this session. l have no objection to the
principle of the income tax or the in
tangible tax. My objection is to a con-
stitutional amendment being offered in
the last days of the Legislature, and
without reference to a committee and op-
portunty for a full hearing, to be put
through to vote of the people, particu-
larly a measure of this sort which in
wolves rather complex considerations as
is disclosed by the very reading of the
resolution of the senator from Cumber-
land.
1t seems that 1t is taken in part from
the Massachusetts act, and In part 1t not
from the Massachusetts act. A constitu-
tional resolve for taxation should be con-
sidered in every word and every syllable
An the resolve itself covers two
points. taxation of intangibles, and the
that the reading of the question which
1nN No c-,,by {nI - NJ Ia
be possibly misleading in this respect,
which reads, or Page 9: "Shall the
Constitution be amended as proposed
by a resolve Of the legislature. grant
ing the Legislature power to enact an
income tax and classify property for
the purposes Of taxation?"
For these reasons and the fact that
1t Is presented at the last days of the
session I therefore move that the
matter be left to the next Legislature.
Mr.. BUTLER of Franklin: Mr. Pres
ident, I was somewhat impressed with
the theory advanced in this measure, but
when you come to mention the name of
the state Of Massachusetts I naturally
oppose 1t on general principles.
The Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts,
many years ago looking for freedom, but
wiz the combination Of laws they have
passed there within recent years l think
for the next term of so years you will
, hear of no more Pilgrims looking for
freedom landing at Plymouth Rock
I wish we could so conduct the affairs
of the State of Maine as to leave a port
of entry for any person of ability to come
along with this lack Of ability and make
a landing in Maine.
This proposition may be all right and
for the best, and while many of us will
probably not return, there will be others,
hope, more able to take our places, and
it is not necessary that this measure
should so by on so late a date, In my
mind. and if 1t is for the best interests of
the State we can well take time and
consider before we make a break away
from our constitutional law. I would not
be prepared at this time to state that ]
even opposed the proposition In itself but
I do oppose being hurried on a matter of
this importance. "a
! I hope the motion will not prevail
| Mr.. HOLT Of Cumberland: Mr.. Presi-
dent. Massachusetts, Is knSwn as the land
of freedom and liberty. And since Mass
achusetts has been brought into this dis