Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-08
MINE LEGTSLATURE.
SENATE.
FRIDAY. Feb. I.

Papers from the House were disposed of in
concurrence.
On motion of Mr.. FINToN of Cumberland.
the Senate refused to accept in concurrence
the report of the committee on the Maine
State Year Book and voted to rccommit, so
that the committee might report resolve
which appears not to nave been done.
On motion of Mr.. ATwELL of Penobscot,
the order relating to cutting down the pay OF
the members of the Legislature was indcf-
nitely postponed.
communication was received from the
Secretary of State, transmitting the bills and
a copy of the report Of the Governor and
Council, relating to the bill of Detective
Wiggin, who was employed on the Barron
murder case.
Subsequently Mr.. NfSroS of Cumberland,
referred to the bills, saying that they amount
ed TO about $4,000. that the Governor and
Council had no money to pay the accounts,
and that the Legislature would have to APP
propriate money if they were to be met. On
his motion the matter was referred to the
Committee ON Claims.
On motion of Mr.. NINroN Of Cumberland,
bill an act limiting the allowance for travel
and attendance to parties recovering costs in
the courts of the State, pending its engross-
mcnt, was laid on the table.
Mr.. ELLIS of Waldo moved to indefinitely
postpone the resolve in favor of the town of
Byron, Oxford County. Its passage was ear
nestiy advocated by Mcssrs. Atwell of Penob-
scot, Wait of Oxford, Roberts of Waldo,
Rogers of Sagadahoc, Barker of Penobscot
and Harris of Washington, and the Senate
refused to indefinitely postpone the resolve
and it passed to be engrossed.
On motion of Mr.. MORRISON of Franklin,
the vote was reconsidered by which the Sen
ate passed to be engrossed bill an act to
an oh nf tha prl nf
relating to the protection of fisheries and
the propagation Of fish, and the
bill was laid on the table and assigned for
next Tuesday for consideration.
Mr.. ROBERTS called up the Civil Service
Bill.
Mr. THOMAS of Cumberland submitted an
amendment to the bill providing that the COM
pensaton of the Railroad Commissioners
shall be Sj day while actually employed in
their official duties, to be paid by the railroad
on which the services are rendered and was
laid on the table by his motion.
The Senate then adopted the amendment of
the House fixing the salary of the Warden of
the State Prison at $500.
Mr.. MORRISON of Franklin moved that the
portion of the bill relating to the compensa-
ton of Judges be laid on the table to be tax
en- up next Tuesday. He stated as his reason
that as he must be away with a visiting COM
mittec for day or two, he should be deprived
of the privilege of considering and voting up
on the matter if considered before Tuesday
Mr.. Patten of Penobscot and Roberts of Wal
do opposed the motion.
Mr.. MApiGAN of Aroostook hoped the mo-
ton would prevail.
lie said that in the city of Augusta there
was a cashier of a bank who received salary
of S25O0 year, while in Portland cashiers
received as high as $1,000 for their services
Now it is proposed to say to the Judges that
they are not worth as much as Il cashier in
Augusta and only one-half as much as such
bank officers in Portland. He spoke in high
terms of the standing of the courts of the
State. The bill was an attempt to degrade
and bring down first class intellect to a mere
matter of dollars and cents. There should be
a pause in hasty work on this matter, and re-
trenchment should be consistent with honesty
and fair dealing.
Mr.. RoBERTs replied that he did not under
stand that the farmers of Maine, overburdened
with debts and taxes, could compete with the
banks with their ample revenues in paving
salaries. In former years when the popula-
ton of the State was greater than now the
judges received less pay and gave better Justice
He hoped the action of the House would be
sustained
Mr. MADIGAN said that the Civil Service
Committee had reported for a reduction of
the salaries of judges, basing its action upon a
report that they received from $500 to $500 a
year referees. Such reports were not true
and four-fitths of the arguments in the House
upon this portion of the bill were on false
basis. because they argued that the business
of the courts was less
Mr.. MORRISON said that he did not wish to
speak upon the merits of the question now,
but if he had an opportunity to argue for re-
and Il
relating to the case. He might not make converts
but he ought to have the right to make the
effort. 1t was unfair to rush this bill through
the Senate, and he inquired whether Senators
were to have a chance to express their feel
ings or were to be bulldozed.
Mr.. RoBERTs disclamed any idea of being
discourteous. Tie only thought the matter
might as well be settled now as at any time
Mr.. CoBB of Androscoggin thought that in
consideration of the fact that so many Sena-
tor would he away in the meantime that fur
thur deliberation should be postponed till
Tuesday, and he moved that the Senate so
act. Mr.. Morrison accepted the amendment
and the whole matter was tabled till Tuesday
next
Mr.. THOMAS of Cumberland, from the Ju-
dietary committee, reported ought to pass on
| bill an act relating to wharves and landings
Printed under rule Provides that the per-
sons or corporations engaged in the regular
transportation of passengers by water who
have constructed, purchased or leased a slip.
wharf or other landing place for the use of
passengers shall haye the exclusive use of the
same, with full power to fix the rates of toll
at which other carriers of passengers may
make use of the same or to wholly prohibit
the use thereof by such other carriers. If it
is desired to prohibit the use of such property
suitable notice must be posted. For acting
contrary to the law forfeit of $50 is proyid-
| ed. Also from the Committee on State
Lands and State Roads on petition, reported
bill an act TO legalize the location of public
lots in Township +, in Franklin county and
that it ought to pass. Read and assigned.
Mr.. HARRIS of Washington, from the Com
mittee on Interior Waters, reported leave to
withdraw the petitions for relief from
building lock in Kcnnebec dam, the COM
mittee saying that ''withoutprejudiceto either
party, there having been no hearing on the
merits of the case"
Mr.. RoBEETs of Waldo, from the Commit