Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-19
HOUSE,.
TUESDAY, Feb. Is.

TUESDAY, FEB. IL.
The Speaker in the Chair.
Prayer by the Chaplain.
Papers from the Senate disposed of in con-
currence.
Mr. Fox of Portland. under suspension of
the rules presented bill an act in relation to
the municipal court Of Portland, in the coun-
ty of Cumberland, providing for appointment
of a recorder of said court by the judge, in
case of a vacancy, until the place can be filed
by law, which was passed to be engrossed I'M
der suspension of the rules, on motion of the
same gentleman.
On motion of Mr.. HARRINGTON of Fryeburg,
Ordered that the members shall not speak
twice to the same question, and only ten min
utes at each time.
Mr.. DIcKEY presented the following:
Ordered, That the clerk of this House be
directed and empowered to contract with
Messrs. Pllsbury & Co., to do the printing
for the House for the current political year.
Mr.. DICKEY in presenting the above, said
he did it as a compromise between the two
branches of the legislature. For if the House
should adopt the majority report of the Com
mittee, as it probably would on test vote,
the Senate would reject it, and the result
would be no printing except under the old
contract, as it has been done for years past
Mr. CURRAN of Calais raised the point that
Il
went over under the rule.
Mr.. FARRrNGroN presented the following,
which was laid on the table on motion of Mr..
BoYNroN of Bangor
Ordered, That the per capita and the
school mill tax shall take precedence over all
other questions.
Mr., Brown from the Committee on Federal
Relations, on memorial and order, reported
memorial to Congress, and resolve requesting
our Senators and instructing our Representa-
tives in Congress to vote to secure an appro-
priation of sec, 900 to build four bridges on
the st. John river between Maine and New
Brunswick, providing the Canadian govern
ment appropriate an equal amount. Printed
under rule.
Bill ian act to regulate the liabilities of
masters of tow boats was read the third time
and laid on the table on motion of Mr.. WEEKS
of Augusta.
Bill an act to amend chap. PAL of the pub
lie laws of 1874 relating to cemeteries was
read the third time and laid on the table on
motion of Mr.. You've Of Brunswick.
Bill an act to amend sec. I, chap. 1873 of
the public laws of 1873, being an act to in
prove the Jail system of the State on its pas
sage to be engrossed, was laid on the table on
motion of Mr.. ANDREWS of Cornish.
Mr.. CHAPMAN Of Plymouth presented petit
ton of county commissioners and Treasurer
of Penobscot for authority to create a tempo
airy loan, which was referred to the Penob-
scot County Delegation.
The House resumed consideration of the
printing contracts, under discussion when the
House adjourned yesterday.
Mr.. MoULToN of Scarboro said the ques-
ton was one of construction of the contracts
and moved that the matter of printing and
binding be referred to the Governor and
ntl~ ,tx..a ..ol
make such contract with suitable and respon-
sible parties as in their Judgment shall be for
the best interest of the State.
Mr.. LOCKE of Portland, said the innocence
of the one making the motion was wonderful
Fearing, least by some hook or crook the con
tract may be awarded to parties to whom it
honestly belongs, fearing that all cannot be
brought into line for it, the proposition is
made to refer to the Governor and Council
simply that it may be given to Pillsbury &
&c. There was not gentleman on the floor
in favor of the majority report that could fig
ure out that the majority report is the lowest
bid. Even admitting the point made as to the
difference in the wording of the contracts,
there would then be difference of about
81 900 in favor of Sprague, Owen & Nash
The motion was one of the sharp practices of
which only lawyer knows how to avail him
self, and which the gentleman (Moulton) has
innocently attempted to palm off on the
House.
Mr.. WALLACE of Belfast, said it had been
claimed that the contract of Sprague, Owen
& Nash is a great deal the lowest--l61 per
cent lower than that Of Pillsbury Co. As
to which contract is the cheapest depends upon
the basis on which the l6d per cent is figured
Last year the printing amounted to 500
600. This year the estimates are sl5. 900. If
this downward tendency continued with the
republican party it might come down to So
600. He found on his desk proposition from
Thomas +. Murphy, offering to do the State
printing for the current political year for sI0.-
900, and with good sureties for the faithful
performance of the same. He claimed that
this was case that should be referred to the
Governor and Council inasmuch as there was
doubt as to the effect of the contracts.
Mr. CURRAN Of Calais stated that the bid