I find during nineteen years of that time that the lowest
percentage of taxes left unpaid at the end of the year was five per
cent; the highest percentage during these nineteen years, and that
occurred during the war, was fourteen per cent; but I find that during
the past year only seventy-eight per cent of the taxes due have been
collected, leaving twenty-two per cent still due the town, and the
non-receipt of this money will seriously hamper the selectmen during the
coming year, unless we choose a man who can give his entire time to the
business and collect the money that is due. This statement is certified
to by the town treasurer, and I do not suppose that the present
incumbent will presume to question its accuracy."
Strout evidently thought that a further discussion of the matter might
work to his still greater disadvantage, for he leaned over and spoke to
one of his adherents, who rose and said:
"Mister Moderator, this discussion has taken a personal nature, in which
I am not disposed to indulge. I don't think that anything will be gained
by such accusations and comparisons.
Pages:
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453