Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-19

On motion OF Mr.. kNOwITON, bill an act
to define pauper supplies was taken from the
table and the vote passing the same to be en-.
crossed, reconsidered Mr.. X. then moved
to amend so that the act shall not affect pend
ing suits. Carried.
The bill was then passed to be eugrossed.
READ AND ASSIGNED An act to amend
the second specification of section 81 of chap.
ter IL OF the revised statutes, in regard to
studies taught in common schools resolve in
favor Of d. F. Adams; resolve in favor of
James Doyle; an act TO incorporate the Bel
| fast Hotel company; an act to incorporate the
| Cove Slate company In the town of Monson;
| an act to incorporate the Oxford Mill compa-
ny; an act to amend an act, entitled an act
to incorporate the Penobscot Central Rail-
road company; an act to amend section 26 of
chapter 1l3 of the revised statutes, relating
to poor debtor disclosures; an act to repeal
sec. ~ of chap. 1l6 of the revised atutes re-
lating to fees of jurors.
PASSED TO BE ENGRossEp. An actto provide
for the enrolment of the militia; an act to in
corporate the Star Slate Company; an act to
incorporate the Sebago Lake Steam Mill Co.
an act to provide for the proper expenditure
by towns Of school money received from the
State; an act to amend sec. of chap. 30 of
the public laws of 1869 relating to the militia;
an act to amend chap p of the public act of
| 1872, relating to liens on animals; an act in
addition to the charter of the Northern
Aroostook Railroad; an act to authorize the
county commissioners of kennebec county
to repair the bridges across the Sebastcook
! river.
! PASSED 10 BE ESACTED-An act to incor-
porate the Eas,port Gas Light Co; an act 10
change the name Of Marsha Emerline Leighton !;
an act to change the names of certain persons;
an act to incorporate the Northport Wesleyan
Grove Camp Meeting Association; an act to
amend sec. 81 Of chap. II of the revised stat
utes, relating to normal schools; act to
amend sec. Il CT chap. l24 ofthe revised statutes
relating to indecent exposures; an act to ex-
tend the time to locate the Portland, Rutland,
Oswego, and Chicago Railroad Co.. an act to
increase the salary of Judge and Register of
Probate for Aroostook county; an act to in
corporate the Waterford Hotel Co.; an act
to amend section of chap. o. of the revised
statutes, relating to authority of deputy sher-
ifs an act to authorize Giles Loring to ex-
tend his wharf into the tide waters of Royals
river; an act to incorporate the Waldo Viii
lage Corporations an act to amend sec. l of
chap. 223 of the laws Of 1871, relating to
fares on railroads.
FINALLY PASSED Resolve in favor of the
inhabitants of Eagle Island and Military
Plantation; resolve in favor of E. E. Gid
den and Carol c. Record; resolve in favor
of Moses A. Courier; resolve in favor Of
Adison J. Brown; resolve in favor Of Jane S
Withers; resolve in aid of road in Island
Falls; resolve in favor of Annie Q. Burnham !;
resolve in favor of Aroostook county.
Bill an act to increase the pay of members
of the government, came up by special assign
ment, the question being upon the motion to
reconsider the vote whereby the same was
passed to be engrossed.
Mr.. MAYHEM opposed the bill as injudi-
cious, and an increase which the people at
this time should not be called upon to bear.
Mr.. VINToN advocated the bill, not that he
had any idea that it would ever benefit him,
but as matter of justice to those who
should come after him. The pay Of men,
bars is so small as to be ridiculous, and,
he considered that it should be increased
upon the score of responsibility alone. Mem
bers come here and sit until their money and
credit are vanished, and then say they must
go home, and the State cannot expect them to
stay here and run in debt. He contended
that by an increase of the pay of members to
$500, that the State would receive back in
wholesome legislation more than an equiva-
lent. There is not State in the Union, he
said, but what pays more to their legislators
than Maine. There was not a man in the
employment Of this government, the members
of the legislature only accepted, whose pay
has not been quadrupled within the last TWEEN
f ty years. Their salaries have been increased
somewhat in the ratio of the worth Of money,
and the cost of living, but here, simply be-
cause a man don't expect to come back next
year, the pay is held down to the miserable
pittance of $3.50 per session. He hoped as a
matter Of right and justice, that the bill would
meet with the approval of the House.
Mr.. BIsBEE argued in favor of the bill
From the classification Of his town, if for no
| 9TH ha ho ilp1 o n no
returned to the legislature again, and in Civ
ing his vote for the bill it would not benefit
him, but it, would be in favor of giving his
successor an adequate and proper compensa-
ton, which will enable him to come here and
live prudently and lay up fair wages. He
thought this fair proposition, and hoped
that the members would decide the question
upon its merits wholly.
Mr.. ToTMAN remarked that he was in the
f Legislature in 1859 and voted for the meas
ure, fixing the present pay of the Legislature,
and he could not sit still and see that meas
ure (Which he had voted for with 20 much
pleasure) voted down o.day, without word
| of protest. The argument then was that if
a salary was adopted, that we should have
shorter sessions, and better legislation. In
looking back upon the past IA years he be-
lieved this to be the fact, that better men are
brought here with $50 than there would be
with SoOO.
Mr.. ALLEY opposed the bill. He believed
that his friend from Buckfield (Mr. Bisbee)
Notwithstanding the fact that he wished for
an increase, would be glad to represent his
town for the next five years under the pres.
ent pay. He (Mr. Alley) was willing to ad-
init that he would do it himself. When men,
bers were sent here, their constituents did
not suppose they were going to have more
than $4,000 a year added to their state
tax, if they had, the most of us would have
been kept at home. He hoped the order
would be indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. MOWER argued in opposition to the
bill. Our greatest men, of the strongest
of constitutions are breaking down, as low as
salaries are, for the want of office. lie
claimed to know something of history, and of
the cause of the downfall of nations and en-
pires, and he had learned that it has been in
consequence of the law makers enac,ng
laws in their own interest. 1t is such legis-
laton, as will make the rich richer and the
poor poorer, that breaks down nations; and
this measure before the House was in that
direction. He argued that the people are
not in favor of an increase of salaries, and
Az sol Ill lo