Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-16
On motion of Mr. AxpRrws IF Cornish

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ment of school districts
On motion of Mr.. HARRINGTON of Frye
burg,
Ordered, That the Committee on Public
Lands consider the advisablity of giving TO
the county of Aroostook all rights the State
has in the State lands situated in said county.
providing they will take upon themselves the
duty of the State in relation thereto; and
that if this course is not deemed adv iSable, or
arrangement cannot be made with the county,
then consider whether il would not be for the
interest of the State To waive all claims against
settlers and giving them deeds of their lands.
thereby closing the land office at once.
On motion of Mr. litrcHiNso> of Lewis
ton
Ordered That the Committee on Legal AZ
fairs be required to examine into the eNped-
encv of change in the law relating to the
practice of medicine.
On motion of Mr.. W,pswoRrH of Hiram.
Ordered. That the Committee on the In
sane Hospital be directed to visit the Insane
Hospital if it can be done without expense to
the State.
Mr.. PIcKARD of Bangor, presented the fol
lowing:
Ordered, The Senate concurring that the
Treasurer of State is hereby directed to in
form the Legislature when the mileage of
members was changed from ten to twenty
cents per mile, and under what law said in
crease of mileage was authorized.
Mr. WILSON of Thomaston, stated that it
was changed in 1872 by authority of an order
introduced by the gentleman from Whitcicd
(CarletonD.
Mr.. PIcKARp moved TO table. hut suisse
quently withdrew his motion. and the order
was referred to the Committee on Civil Ser
vice. on motion of the same gentleman.
Mr.. STYLES of Westbrook presented the
following, which he moved to refer to the
Committee on Civil Service:
Resolved. That the salaries of salaried of
ficers of the State, whether legislative, cXecu-
tive, judicial, civil or military, be reduced
33k per cent. also to reduce the compensa-
ton of every employee of the State in any of
those departments proporionately the same,
with the exception of the Senate and House
of Representatives
Mr. CrRRAN of Calais, said before it was
referred he would like to have it amended by
striking out the exception, and he moved to
amend in that respect.
Mr.. STYLES of Westbrook, opposed. 1t
was generally conceded that the compensation
of senators and representatives is inadequate
in comparison with the salaries of other State
officers. He believed that if the salary of our
legislators is reduced that the State would not
secure the services of such men as il would
wish.
Mr. WILSON of Thomaston raised the point
that the amendment was not in order, the
proposition being simply to refer to a com
mittee.
Mr.. CuRRAN, said all he wanted was go cd
argument why members salaries should not
be reduced. 1t was consoling to him.
The resolution was then referred to the
Committee on Civil Service.
Mr. MoULToN. from the judiciary Commit
tee, reported legislation incxpedient on order
relating to abolishing the Land Agency and
transferring the duties of the Office to the
office of Secretary of State.
Mr.. LOCKE, from the same Committee,
made the same report on order relating to
amending chap. "a, title 2 of the revised
statutes, relating to pauper laws.
Mr.. RICE, from the same Committee. re-
ported reference to Committee on Civil Ser
vice, on petition of J. w. Porter for reduction
of pay of jurors and witnesses.
The Committee on Fisheries reported bill
an act to protect alewives in Dennys river,
and bill fixing leaders of weirs at no more
than two feet depth of water, which were
ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr.. PIcKARD of Bangor.
Senate order for a special committee to con-
tract for the Maine State Year Book was taken
from the table, and the House passed it in
concurrence with the Senate.
Mr. ANDREWS of Cornish, moved to re-
consider the vote whereby the House indcf-
nitely postponed the order for Legislative
committees to visit the various State institu-
tons they represent. He believed it the
duty of representatives to investigate the
affairs of the several State institutions aside
from reports, at least once year, if the APP
preparations to them are to be continued He
also believed in retrenchment and that the
visiting of these institutions by committees
tended in that direction.
Mr. BRowN of Bangor hoped no step back
ward would be taken in the matter, as it had
been fully understood. He contended that no
benefit adequate to the expense incurred would
follow the visiting of these institutions. He
regarded them as pleasure excursions.
Mr. ANDREWS of Cornish was opposed to a
visit to the Agricultural college, and as at
present advised, thought it doubtful whether
cent was voted for that institution. But
the State Prison, Reform School and Insane
Hospital are institutions the State must have
and he believed it in the interest of economy
to visit them.
Mr.. MouLToN ofScarboro', agreed with the
gentleman from Bangor Brown that these
visits were pleasure excursions and he could
testify to that fact from his own experience.
Mr.. WADswoRTH of Hiram, inquired why
objection was not raised in the interest OF
economy when seven members went to Lewis
ton at the expense of the State to inform
Gov. Garcelon of his election, when tcle-
gram could have been sent for twenty-five
cents. The Governor probably was informed
of his election fifteen minutes after it took
place.
Mr. Brown replied that he, as chairman OF
the committee, in the interests of economy,
did not go. Neither did his friend Wilson.
He also stated that the committee charged
nothing, but considered the honor an equiva-
lent compensation.
Mr. SHAW of Lisbon, said as chairman OF
the Agricultural committee, he proposed to
visit the Agricultural College, whether the
order passed or not, and make report to the
House.
Mr.. HARRINGTON of Fryeburg advocated
the motion to reconsider. He claimed that
the propositions to cut down salaries of super
intendents and trustees could not be intelli-
gently considered without personal examin-
alton of the institutions they represent. II
committees made pleasure visits to those in
stitutions they did not do their duty.
Mr.. Brown of Bangor replied.
Messrs. GUPTILL of Gorham and WILLoUGH-
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