Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-19

1924 the amount Of bonds issued by
the same units of government amount
ed to $1,400. 100000, more than 100
times as many bonds issued in the
same length of time. The bonded in
debtedness of the states is one and
one-half billions, and two-thirds of
this has been acquired in the past five
years.
County and municipal bonded In
debtedness now amounts to ten billion
dollars, which has mainly been in
Cured in the past few years
The state and municipal debts are
increasing much faster than the Unit
ed States debts are being reduced.
One-fifth of our total taxes are now
required for interest and sinking fund
on these debts.
Not only has the farmer always paid
an undue proportion of direct taxes
and at least his proportion of indirect
taxes, but the vast sums now being
spent for so-called public improve
ments, and raised by bond issues, es-
pecially for roads and school build
ings, are making it more and more de-
sirable to live in the town and less
and less desirable to live in the courl-
try.
This bond money, whether raised
for a consolidated school building or
for an improved highway to connect
two cities or towns, is mainly to the
advantage of such cities and towns
and not in a proportional advantage
to the country section, thus ever wild
ening the gap that now exists between
rural and urban communities.
This is reflected not only in the con-
stantly increasing growth of the town
at the expense of the country districts,
T.. ~ tal In, mr. val o
of real estate in the town and a sta
tionary or decreased value in the
country for the past 10 years. 1t is
simply appalling to note the rapid in
crease in bond issues by municipalities
and states in the past few years.
These bonds rest as a mortgage upon
every farm, and the ever growing in
terest and principal sooner or later
must be paid.
Since taxes are the outcome of
governmental functions, the only way
to lessen them or to prevent their In
crease, aside from economies in opera
ton. is to check the rapid growth of
governmental functions and centralized
government, which if continued, will
inevitably lead to the European condi-
tion of government regulation of busf-
ness and taxes, and finally to state
of socialism.
With every increase of government
tai functions, comes increase of gov
ernmental agents and corresponding
increase of governmental costs or
taxes. To check these taxes means,
less government and less legislation
otherwise we will become more and
more enslaved by our own laws land a
constantly increased part of our in
come will be taken in taxes, as Is true
of all the countries of the old world.
Not only is the individual and FAM
lily taxed in the form of higher costs
of living to support the government,
but 1t is becoming more and more ap-
parent that organized groups through
political action and legislation favor
ahle to their particular group, can
cause the public at large to pay the
costs in higher prices. This is clear
ly shown in the recent settlement of
the coal strike in England, where $780,
100000 per year were taken from the
taxpayers to increase the wages of
coal miners. Why should organized Ia
Dor, or farm blocs or federal en-
ployees, or any other group, use their
political power to compel other groups
to bear their burdens.
1t is true and inevitable that an in
turity and finally passes on to old age.
The old age disease is the hardening of
the arteries. 1t has also been said
that nation is born young. grows to
maturity and passes on to old age and
decay. If this be true, then the old
age disease of. nation is increased
taxation. 1t should be the business of
government to retain the characteris-
tics of youth. which are individual
liberty, few laws. little governmental
control and correspondingly low taxes.
Three hundred years ago our an
cestors came to this country to escape
the tyranny of centralized government,
and today, in the name of progress, we
are adopting, one by one. the central
lied government methods of the old
world. How can changes in taxation
be made to relieve the farmer.
First: Have as little government
as possible, nothing should be done by
the government that can be done by
its citizens.
Second: Retain local self-govern-
ment. The federal government should
do nothing that state can possibly
do, and the state should do nothing
that city or town can do, and the
towns should do nothing that citizens
OF SiOupS CdA w. AhS 10
err the unit of government the greater
the cost and also the greater tendency
to increase the work and costs.
Third: Keep the government out of
business. Put contracts out to suit
able bidders that the public may know
the costs and remove so far as posi-
BILE opportunity for graft.
Fourth: Pay as you CO.. !. Let us not
load onto posterity debt that prop
erly belongs to us.