Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-27
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.

message was sent to the Governor asking
the return of the act incorporating the
Moosehead Lake Telegraph Company The
act being returned, on motion of Mr.. VIM
TON, the votes of enactment and engrossmcnt
were reconsidered, and the matter laid on the
table.
The reports of the Committee on State
Valuation came from the House. the minority
report, providing for a commission of per-
sons, having been substituted for the MAORI
ty report, providing for commission of l6
persons.
Mr.. MADIGAN of Aroostook, defended the
majority report, maintaining that one per-
son from each county should constitute the
commission. The committee with only one
exception were in favor Of the majority re-
port. The clerk hire would be less with
large commission.
Mr.. MoRRIsoN of Franklin, also supported
the majority report. He said there were two
reasons why there should be sixteen men
TO take the valuation, and would give better
satisfaction.
Mr.. HAwEs of Cumberland, urged the mi
nority report. He said that the gentleman
who brought in the minority report was on
the valuation commission in 1862 so that he
knew well how the matter should be- Ii
would take longer with sixteen men to at
tend to the work; and there would be re-
quired nearly as many clerks. He would
prefer seven to five men to do the duty
Mr.. ELLIS of Waldo, defended the minor
ty report. He denied that only one signed
the minority report He wished for small
Ter commission on the ground of economy
for one reason. He was not desirous at all
to have a man from each county on the
commission. He would As soon have COM
mis- ION .>f sL., L.
business in his county as any who lived
there.
Mr.. MADIGAN explained how he under
stood that only one man was on the minor
ity report. He differed with the last speak
cr in his idea of men from other States tax
ing the valuation.
Mr.. Conn of Androscoggin could not agree
with the idea of the Senator from Waldo
Men of honor and integrity could be found
in the State to make the valuation. lie felt
that men from their own locality were the
best persons to act as judges there.
Mr.. PArTEv of Penobscot seconded the
ideao of the Senator from Waldo. A COM
mittee of sixteen would require more clerks.
A smaller commission would be more eff
cient.
Mr.. BRADFORD of Washington urged that
the matter of taking the valuation of the
State was great duty and was for ten years
He was in favor OF one representative from
each county on the commission. 1t would
not be just to have committee to take the
valuation of mercantile interests when not
one of them was at all acquainted with such
affairs.
Mr.. MORRISON again argued for the larger
commission. Mr.. MApIGAN said that the
majority report provided for sixteen men and
one clerk; while the minority provided for
seven commissioners and six clerks, irrespon-
sible men. He objected to this
Mr.. ELLIS again spoke for the smaller num-
ber. and called for the yeas and nays.
Mr.. VINroS of Cumberland had canvasscd
the matter thoroughly and thought that Ave
90 was better number than the others pro-
posed
Mr.. ROGERS of Sagadahoc was for the less
number. He objected to cheap board of
valuation.
Mr.. THOMAS of Cumberland preferred a
smaller to larger number A small num-
ber would do the business better and more
discriminitely. 1t would do it more Justly.
The hour having arrived to which the mo-
tion to reconsider the vote on engrossing the
salary bill was assigned, the matter was TAX
en- up. This was in order to reconsider the
salary Of the Judge of Probate in Cumberland
county.
Mr.. THOMAS of Cumberland, proceeded to
argue earnestly for having the salary of this
officer fixed ut $1,000, instead of at $1,000, as
the Senate voted Yesterday. He referred to
petitions from heavy business men and others
in Cumberland county asking that the salary
of the Judge of Probate in the county be
raised. The salary was paid by the county
and not by the State, and why could not Cum
berland be allowed to pay what it saw fit?
He argued that it was the feeling and desire
of the people of Cumberland county to have
this salary placed at $1,000 or more. This
was the unanimous vote of the county dele
CATION. and he read from the Secretary's re-
port of meeting to show that it was so.
Mr.. BARKER of Penobscot, referred to the
action of the Senator from Cumberland
(Thomas) in interfering with the matter of
Waldo county the other day, when the Bel
fast Police Court bill was before the Senate
Mr.. VISroS Of Cumberland, thought there
was something under the meal besides the
merits of the case. judging by the actions of
his colleague. He denied that it was the
unanimous vote of his county delegation to
have the salary kept at $1,000, no contrary
vote was called for in the meeting of the
delegation referred to. He criticised the
petitions which had been referred to- He
then argued at some length for the Sl2OO sal
ary because it was right and just in compari-
son with other reductions in the county and
State. The people did not ask for this $1,000
salary.
Mr.. MADIGAN of Aroostook argued that
the people of Cumberland county, asked
through their representatives for the $1,000
salary, and therefore it should be granted.
Mr.. PRINCE of Androscoggin, opposed the
$1,000 amendment because he believed it was
wrong.
Mr.. CooNBs of Hancock, explained why
he moved a reconsideration.
The Senate voted to reconsider the vote
engrossing the bill.
Mr.. CooMBs of Hancock, then moved to
reconsider the vote whereby the Senate re-
fused to concur with the House in adopting
the $1,000 salary for Judge of Probate of Cum
berland county. He called for the yeas and
NAYS. The vote was as follows:
YEAs-Messrs. Andrews, Bradford, Har-
ris, Hawes, Linn, Madigan, Mayhem,
Morrison, Redlon, Roberts, Rogers of Saga
dahoe, Smith, Thomas, Thompson, Wait
Is. 9f aa~
NAYs-Messrs. Barker, Chase, Cobb,
Coombs, Duran, Ellis. Ferguson. Moody, Par
lin, Patten, Prince, Rogers OF Penobscot,
Vinton-l3. t.ass, ,.i ~ .-rs
The Senate having voted to reconsider, the
question was on adopting the House amend