Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-28

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passing the bill.
| The Senate voted to adhere
The Senate bill appropriating SIS 200 for
the Normal Schools, took its first reading.
and, under suspension Of the rules, on mo-
ton OF Mr.. FERGUSON of York. the bill took
Its second reading. Pending engrossment.
Mr.. FERGUSON of York, moved to amend by
making the appropriation SIS, 900.
Mr.. VINToN, of Cumberland, did not wish
to appropriate less than usual for the Nor
NAL schools.
Mr.. THOMAS of Cumberland, wished these
schools kept up TO their usual efficiency He
thought S2l 900 the least figure upon which
they could be run successfully, and he moved
to amend to this effect.
Mr.. MORRISON of Franklin. favored the
amendment making the appropriation S2l,-
o0O Enough should be given, not only to
run the schools, but to keep the buildings in
good repair.
Mr.. MADIGAS of AroostOOk said that il
was not safe to call for extensive appropria-
tions. Some money should be given, but it
should he the very least amount.
Mr. PATTES of Penobscot, said that they
should appropriate what was considered light
to run the normal schools. When repairs
upon the buildings were necessary appropra-
tions would be called for
Mr.. PRINCE of Androscoggin, supported the
cause of the normal schools.
The amendment of Mr.. THOMAS was lost.
and, Mr. FERGUsoN having withdrawn the
$4,000 amendment, moved to amend by
making the appropriation 10000.
The Senate voted to adopt the amendment
of Mr.. FERGUSON
Mr.. VINroN desired to have the old law
retained giving S., 800 to each school. But
tn.ts Al. r..l
ed.
Mr.. ROBERTS of Waldo, from the Commit
tee on Claims, presented a resolve in favor of
the town of kingsbury for pauper expenses
On motion of Mr.. PArrEN of Penobscot
the rules were suspended, and the resolve was
engrossed.
The Senate concurred with the House in
indefinitely postponing the bill allowing an
ex-treasurer to amend his record.
Mr.. VINToS Of Cumberland, presented in
new draft, a bill Incorporating the Moosehead
Lake Telegraph Company. Under suspen-
sion of the rules the bill passed to be en-
crossed.
Mr.. HAwEs of Cumberland presented the
following bill: "Any town may establish and
maintain not exceeding two free high schools
and may raise money for their support"
Under a suspension of the rules the bill
was passeu 10 ne enErOSseU.
Mr.. BARKER of Penobscot presented bill
an act to amend chap. of the revised stat
utes concerning public lands The bill pro-
vides that the Land Agent shall give bond
in such sum as the Governor and Council see
fit. Also that when no Legislature is in ses-
sion the Office may be kept in Bangor.
Under suspension of the rules the bill
was engrossed.
Upon the disagreeing vote between the
Senate and House relating to the number Of
commissioners to take the State valuation
the President named as a Committee of Con
ference on the part of the Senate, Messrs
Bradford of Washington, Madigan of Aroos-
took and Moody of York.
Mr.. VINToN of Cumberland. the routine
business having been disposed of, proceeded
at some length to call the attention of the
Senate to the resolve relating to biennial cleo
tions and to changing the time of holding
elections, which was passed to be engrossed
yesterday. This was matter of vital inter-
est to the State. and as member of the .Ju-
dietary Committee which considered the mat
ter he was not willing the measure should 20
forth without recording himself as objecting
to it. Five distinct propositions to change
the constitution came before the Judiciary
Committee, but his private view was against all
but the one relating to the election Of governor
by plurality vote. When matters of changing
the constitution were submitted to the peo-
pie 1t should be at the most favorable time.
Next fall would be an extremely bad time on
account of political excitement to submit such
a question to the voters of the State and so
he was not in favor of submitting any then.
He then considered the legislation which had
fallen to the lot of the resolve relating to BIZ
ennial elections. The Judiciary Committee,
with single exception, were opposed to the
question, although another member after
wards signed the minority report In the
House the minority report, favoring biennial
elections, WAS substituted for the minority re-
port, and yesterday the Senate passed the re-
solve. He then objected to the legality OF
the resolve, because it provided for substi-
tuting two grave Constitution questions
to be voted upon at once by the people.
They were to vote at the same tine on the
question of biennial elections. and on the
time for holding elections. This could not
be done, because it was illegal and unconsti-
tutional. He urged that there was a reason
for not considering the matter of changing
the time of holding our election, and it was
because Congress now had under advisement
the question of changing the time of holding
the national election.
Mr.. VINToN then moved that the vote be
by WHICH the SeIdt& fAu paSseu
this resolve to be engrossed.
Mr.. MADIGAN of Aroostook, agreed with
the Senators from Cumberland. as to the
illegality of the resolve. If it was true that
Congress was thinking of changing the time
for the national election it changed the face
of the matter entirely. This was delicate
business and he wanted time to consider it.
Mr. ELLIS of Waldo, thought they could
get over the matter easily enough by striking
out of the resolve the portion of it relating to
the time of holding elections.
Mr.. MORRISON of Franklin, was in favor
of biennial elections, and in favor of chang
ing the time of our elections, but extreme
care should be used in changing the consti-
tuition. They should wait for Congress, and
they should not undertake to decide con-
stitutional question in the heat of political
campaign.
Mr.. PATTEN of Penobscot, favored biennial
elections Nineteen-twenteths of the people
had made up their minds already on that ques-
ton. He wanted to do what was consistent.
The Senate voted to reconsider and the re-
solve was then tabled.
On motion of Mr.. ELLIS of Waldo, the bill
to provide in part for the expenses of the gov
ernment was taken from the table.
Mr.. ELLIS then moved to amend the bill
so that $500 for publishing the Senate and
Tnnruals ko atru H..