Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-07

be reduced but the officers of the Senate and
House were not salaried. they were workmen.
Mr.. PRINCE of Androscoggin, moved to lay
the section under discussion upon the table
and to take up section eight, which provides
that the act shall take effect when approx ed
by the Governor, and the Senate voted to do
so. He then moved as an amendment to sec
ton eight, that the act should take effect af-
ter April |, 1879.
Mr.. Com again spoke for the bill as it
came from the House.
Mr.. THoMAs of Cumberland, said that all
parties, majority and minority represented the
people, and that the people demanded through
all their Legislators retrenchment and reform
No particular party represents these ideas,
but all do. The times are hard. They struck
i'll the Western and Middle States first but
hard times are here now. When we pass an
Appropriation we not only vote to grant mon
ey but to take it out of the peoples pockets
The taxes are u burden now and must be
cut down. At the same rate ten years ago
we did not feel them for then money was
cheap and plenty. To-day il is hard to earn
money, but when it is once possessed il will
purchase one-third, and almost one half, more
than was possible few years ago. So then
retrenchment is possible because the pur-
chasing power of the dollar is increased
The firmness of the national government in
making the dollar of the people, the green
back. as good as gold, had made retr, nchment
possible He denied that the bill had a retro
active effect. 1t would be illegal if it did
There was no reason why the act should not
take effect March lst. 1t is the first day of
the next month. If we are honest in our de-
sire to cut down salaries. why POSTPONE the
day of rctrenchment another month until
tl,a fret OF \, 4
commencement of aquartor year. l. that Il
reason for Keeping up salaries? 1t is said To
cut down at once will occasion good deal of
hgurin9. Is that reason! No. No. Let
us approach this question mantulv. and not
put off the day Of needed and reasonable re-
trenchmcnt.
Mr.. PArrEN said that the taxpayers of the
State were looking upon their doings every
day, and asking that there should be reform
in every possible way, so that their condition
might be relieved. They would scorn the
man that did not 90 in for bill that was
right, like this. He thanked the Senator
from Cumberland (Mr. Thomas for his re-
marks.
Mr.. PRIScE said that he did not propose to
he guided by the action of the House. He
should do as he thought right and Thought
that he would be justified by his constituents
inso doing. He would 90 as far as the House
in reform. but did not believe i'm rctrenching
after men had been hired at "A certain salary.
Mr.. MApiGAS agreed with the sentiments
Of the last speaker. He did not intend to be
governed by the House. There was no need
of proclamations about the dear people and
about the currency. They were sent here to
do their duty. No one party has all the re-
form and patriotism. The real question was
whether the act should take effect in March
or April.
Mr.. RoBERrs of Waldo, moved to Law the
whole matter on the table, but the Senate re.
fused to do so.
The question was then on the motion OF
Mr.. Prince to have the act take effect April
LIST. but the Senate refused to so amend the
bill.
The Senate then returned to the considera.
ton of sec. two, and voted IL adopt the
amendment of the House. providing that the
change in salaries should begin March next.
So that thus far the upper branch makes nc
alteration in the bill as it came from the
House.
On motion of Mr. Prince an order was
passed that when the Senate adjourn it adj
journ to meet tomorrow morning ut 9 o'clock
On motion of Mr.. BARKER of Penobscot.
the resolve in favor of the town of Maytield
was taken from the table, and. on motion OF
Mr.. Conn of Androscoggin, the matter was
indefinitely postponed.
READ AND ASSIGNED
Bill an act to facilitate and equalize the
transportation of freight and passengers over
all railroads in the State; bill an act limiting
the allowance for travel and attendance to
parties recovering costs in the courts of the
State resolve in favor of Perkins and Wash
ington Plantations; resolve in favor of the
town of Byron. Oxford county; resolve in
favor of the Passamaquoddy Indians.
PASSED TO BE ENGRossED.
Bill an act relative to bulding wharf at
Iiampden bill an act additional to chap. "a
of the revised statutes, relating to auctions
and auctioncers; bill an act relating to the
taking of fish in Cumberland county bill an
act to incorporate the Pleasant River
Dam and Improvement Company: bill ar
act to amend chap. - of the public laws
of 1873, entitled an act to regulate and
protect fisheries and the propagation of fish
bill an act to authorize dams and embank
ments in the town of Byron, in Oxford county
to prevent the water of Swift river from in
jurng the public highway; bill an act con
corning the taking of fish in Gay Brook, il
Casco, Cumberland County.
PASSED TO DE ENACTED.
An act revokng the charter of the city O
Iallowell and for other purposes.
FINALLY PASSED.
Resolve appropriating certain lands in the
town of Blaine for public purposes.
On motion of Mr.. CoBB of Androscoggin
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
THURSDAY, February 9Th.
Prayer by the Chaplain.
Papers from the Senate disposed of in con
currence.
Senate order relating to the reduction o
the compensation of senators and representa-
tives was read, and amended on motion o.
Mr.. PIcKARD of Bangor, by adding the fol
lowing land if said Committee should deem
such reduction expedient, they are hereby
further instructed to inquire into the exped
ency of removing the capital to Bangor oil
Portland or to some town near the geographic
cal center of the State, where the compensa
tion and mileage would nav at least one-hal