Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-14
TAXATION

toward obtaining and paying for
those things necessary for the State
and the municipality to have. still
this contribution has never been pop
ular."
This comment is from the report Of
the State Assessors to the Governor
and Council. The truth Of it will be
questioned by no one. Some might
amplify it. who would have every
able bodied citizen, that enjoys the
privilege Of participation in the maxi
ing Of the laws, contribute in some
appreciable way to the taxes imposed
under those laws. Some might para
phrase an old saying, that where a
mans taxes come into being there
l;is heart is, and his understanding
should be.
The report adds: quite a large
proportion Of the citizens in the State
pay a poll taS only, while enjoying
all Of the benefits from the revenue
derived from the taxation Of proper
y,"and includes the conclusion that
further consideration should be given
to the suggestion that women should
pay a poll tax as we'll as the men.
Well, why not? And if we would
impress on each individual the re-
sponsibility he or she incurs when
voting or neglecting to vote, educate
him to understand that by so much
as he contributes to unwise lesisla-
ton, by so much as he increases the
causes of taxation, helps multiply the
demands on the treasury, so. in cor
responding degree, will his tax be
increased, if a way may be found to
do this a long step ahead will have
been taken. The tax levy in that
way might meet with more popular
favor.
While no one seems, capable OF
rising to that eminence where he
faction, or manifests pride in his
ability or rejoices in the opportunity
to do his part toward the upkeep OF
the civilization he EN- rs, he might
feel somewhat differently about it
IL he realized all were trying to do
. their part, instead Of chuckling if
succeeding in evading the payment.
Whoever heard one say about his
taxes: "Well, put me down for what
is right; Pm glad to give the thing a
boest".? Yet men have been known
, to make such remarks when being
solicited to contribute to some enter
prise, very likely men who howl
plaintively about paying their taxes,
which someone has to pay.
What an ideal condition it would
be IL every voter could be told before
voting: "This for which you are vot-
ing will cost you SO much, it will
make the tax you are to pay just 50
large" There would be a decided
mark down in legislative cure-alls.
/ OF course the expense gets dis
tributed after a time among all who
live in the community, who buy the
necessities Of life, who pay the rents.
tho doctor and all. But they don't.
or many Of them do not. seem to
realize this at the time they are maxi
ing the taxes, or when they are max
ing laws which exempt some enter
prisss from paying taxes. Those
arr taiey who applaud any proposition
to Etkx the rich, to tax incomes, to
tax excess profits. LET the rich
pay sounds sweet in the ears of
those struggling to make both ends
meet. They forget that anything
which tends to retard production.
discourage enterprise and destroy the
confidence of investors is also bad
for the community, that attempts to
penaiixc the accumulation Of capital
or thu obtaining Of sizable Incomes 10
sappipg the incentive OF betterment.
This oversight, or ignorance, or
whatever it may be called. u not
surprising. The problem of taxation
is involved and perplexing. Tax
ramifications are bewildering Many
Of the methods are clumsy or out
grown. Tinkering. patching up in
crease the difficulties and the results
should discourage experimenting I'M
till we have made the best OF the
present facilities. Willingness to
bear each his proportion Of the bur-
den. pride in being able to do so and
asfi4bit Of looking under the board
labessed reform" as well as at the
tSp, all these will help toward solu-
ton. Attempting to make the other
fellow pay for that. which we want
ourselves. is a chicken with the con-
famed habit of coming home to roost.
the report Of the State, Assessors
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