Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-05


pie. That through exchange Of ideas
and comparing methods you will be
| able to give a more efficient and just
| Interpretation of the principles of tax
alton.
| II one last argument were neces-
| sary to win a widespread sense Of JUS
tice and fairness present conditions
/ furnish it. Surely, we are thinking,
acting and serving together in this
reconstruction period following a
great world war. Gratitude should
add logic to fairness SO that the A.
| nancial burdens that accompany and
| follow this great struggle may be
| borne by all alike. The temptation
| is natural to shift this heavy load to
| other shoulders wherever possible,
| and unless the keenest vigilance Is
maintained, it will rest too heavily
! upon those least able to bear it.
The makers of the Constitution had
this in mind when they wrote in artl
| Gle TX, Sec. 8, "All taxes upon real
and personal estate, assessed by the
authority of this State, shall be ap
portioned and assessed equally, ac-
| cording to the just value thereof.
THE Constitution does not declare
that all property shall be assessed. but
that what is assessed shall be "as-
sessed equally"
American Ideals Center in Democracy
This republic was founded and has
developed into a sane, wise, strong,
efficient nation because it's foundation
stones are the home, the town meet
ing, the church, and the public school,
The purpose Of this address does not
permit any discussion of these fun
damental institutions.
We are concerned today with the
financial needs Of the nations life. It
is admitted that a democracy like
ours, demands economic we'll being,
practice in self government and edu-
cation. Contentment. self-respect
and intelligence must be secured as
opportunities to all our people.
In the great reconstruction period
we are facing, these essentials are
more important than ever. Ancient
history closed at midnight Of July 81,
1914. On that night ten millions Of
the worlds best men began the long
march that ended with death. Dying
they uncrowned % kings; made de-
mocracy possible for all the world;
established right over might.
1t is the task of the living to make
democracy worth while to the world.
Its best results can only accrue to a
people who know the value Of self
restraint. intelligent enough to value
liberty regulated by law. Problems
in self government, economic justice
and industrial development wait upon
a people big in brain, generous in
heart, and strong in will.
This is the day Of the people. This
is the day Of victory. This is the day
Moses. Plato, Mizzini, Cromwell,
Hugo, Washington and Lincoln saw
from the long ago. America as
leader must not falter or fail. Athens
in her day Of trial led by the ignoble
Eleon failed. The Roman republic
coming to greatness led by the brutal
Merius and Sulla failed. America
rose to greatness at th1 end of her
revolution led by Washington. Amer
lea in the day of mighty victory under
Lincoln held to that greatness.
Again America is called to face the
opportunity to go higher. to make
secure for all time, for all people, and
for all nations the ideals of the deca-
logue. the sermon on the Mount, and
the Declaration of independence. She
must not, she cannot, she will not fail.
The old system that made the war
inevitable must go. To push the
kings from their thrones is not
enough. You must enthrone the peo-
pie. Power must be placed in the
hands of those who are ruled by MAX
ing them in reality the rulers. This
can come about only by securing JUS
tice in the economic, industrial and
political activities of the people. Give
them vision through moral and intel
lectual opportunities, and they will
conserve all that is worth while in the
past.
Nations are ready to learn how to
work and live together, that they may
not die separately. So the day has
come when the American people must
learn the same lesson for the same
reason.
We have conquered Prussianism
without being Prussianized. We have
saved the world and have not lost our
souls. This is our great victory up 20
the present hour.
The Test Of Good Government
The practical working Of our gov
eminent is it's final test of efficiency.
This is especially true concerning
that part of our government that has
to do with the raising of money fo3'
State and National purposes.
Cooley in his Constitutional Limita-.
tions says. THE power to impose
taxes is one so unlimited in force AMI
so searching in extent, that the courts
scarcely venture to declare that it is
subject to any restrictions whatever,
except such as rest in the discretion
of the authority which exercises it. II
reaches to every trade or occupation,
to every object of industry. use, or
enjoyment: to every species of pos
session; and it imposes a burden
which in case of failure to discharge
it may be followed by seizure and
sale or confiscation of property. No
attribute of sovereignty is more per-
vading, and at no point does the pow
er of the government affect more con-
stantly and intimately all the rela-
lions Of life than through the exac-
lions made under it."
It was Chief Justice Marshall who
said, 1.-THE power Of taxing the people
and their property is essential to the