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

able. People moved out Of the cities into
the smaller towns just as they are be-
ginning to do in the State of Maine. And
in one small town outside Of Boston the
tax rate was $50 thousand whereas in
the adjoining town the tax rate was
twenty-six to thirty dollars a thousand
and the municipalities were having hard
work to supply the necessities.
So that IL this law passes to make uni
form the taxes this class of property.
looking toward an arrangement to remedy
these conditions.
l should be sorry to see this matter
postponed because of a question to the
wording Of the resolve ! believe this
matter can be laid on the table, if neces-
sary, and that we can get together and
If we really de believe in the principle Of
taxing the income upon this class OF
property. and giving the Legislature pow
er to solve this whole problem. two years
hence. there will be no difficulty In work
ing out a proper resolve and having the
wording stand.
The matter has been carefully gone over
by men well qualified to pass upon 1t and
they have all endorsed the wording OF the
resolve. But rather than have it go of
on the question of wording, I would pre-
fer to have the matter continued on the
table until we have a chance Tor con-
ference and see if we cannot make the
wording satisfactory to those who object
10 it, and yet really believe in the prin-
cple
Mr.. GILLIN: Mr.. President: Just
moment: ! must say that | am in full
s-I,< .t.NVg
Butler and Marshall, that we ought to
leave this matter alone. Instead or
sending out the resolve now to have
another change in our constitution
pertaining to taxation at this late day,
] think it would be better to leave our
tax system as it is. And 1 wish to en-
dorse what Senator Butler and Sena-
tor Marshall said pertaining to it
without going into any long discussion
of it at this time to take up unneces-
sarily the time of my fellow senators.
They have said practically what I wish
to endorse.
The PRESIDENTS: The question be-
fore the Senate is on the motion of
Senator Holt that this resolve be pass
ed to be engrossed, and the yeas and
nays have been called for.
The yeas and nays were ordered,
and the secretary called the roll Those
voting yes were: Messrs. Burleigh,
Butler of Knox Davis. Googin. Holt.
Swift, Walker. Those voting no
were: Messrs. Ames, Bartlett, Butler
of Franklin, Chick, Conant, Davies,
Deering, Fulton, Gillin, Gordon,
Grant, Higgins. Lord. Marshall, Mer-
rll, Peacock, Peterson. Kicker, STAN
lev. Wood-20. Absentees: Messrs.
Baxter, Boynton, Hastings.
Seven senators having voted in the
affirmative and 20 in the negative,
the motion of Senator Holt was lost.
At the time Senator Davies an
nounced his vote on the foregoing
motion, he made the following state
ment and by unanimous consent the
same was ordered spread on the rec
ord:
Mr.. President, vote no, and ex-
planning my vote in a word l desire to
say that l believe in the principle of
income taxation because it places the
heaviest burdens on the broadcast
backs do not believe. however, in the
submission of a constitutional amend
ment to the people until demand
therefor has been clearly and plainly
shown, and that can only be SHOWN
by the fullest hearing and discussion.
At the time Senator Wood an
nounced his vote on the foregoing mo-
ton. he made the following statement
and by unanimous consent the same
was ordered spread on the record.
Mr.. President: l rise in the same
spirit that Senator Davies, the SEN
ator from Cumberland, did. | do not
believe it is quite fair to ask man
ito go on the record and vote in this
way on a matter that has not mad
more consideration than this has mad
/ do not wish to say am against the
principle, but until it is more fully
heard, and not to go on in this nasty
manner l vote no.
At the time Senator Butler of Knox
announced his vote on the foregoing
motion, he made the following state
ment and by unanimous consent the
same was ordered spread on the rec
ord
Mr.. President, 1 am in hearty ac-
cord with the general principle OF
State income tax. believe there are
large number of people that are not
being reached under our present sys-
TEN of taxation.
If understand the situation Alright
TINS is z resolve tIidl 10 W NC SUNNI
ted to the people. Now while ! nave
not very much information about this
particular matter. coming in late at
this session as it has, ! am perfectly
willing to trust the people with it. so
that all may have a voice in it. While
] would not vote yes if 1t were not to
be submitted to the people, | shall vote
with that referendum.
Mr.. MARSHALL of Cumberland: !
move that this resolve. H. -. 427, pro-
posing an amendment ii the consti-
tuition relative to the authority of the
Legislature to impose taxes, be refer
red to the next Legislature.
The motion was agreed TO.
The President at this time read a tele-
gram from the United States Senator
Fernald thanking the Legislature for
their prompt action in the support OF
the Government.
The PRESIDENT: The Chair will
state that under the provisions of the
order passed this morning, the order
read by Senator Davies of Cumberland.
that the Chair will proceed to take up