Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-18
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.
FRIDAY, Jan. 18th.


Prayer by the Chaplain.
Papers from the House were disposed of In
concurrence.
On motion of Mr.. ArwELL of Penobscot,
the report of the Committee on the Governors
message was taken from the table and accept
ed by the Senate.
On motion of Mr.. MORRISON of Franklin,
Ordered That all matters relating to the re-
duction of salaries and emoluments of county
officers in Franklin county be referred to the
county delegation from that county.
On motion of Mr.. MAYHEM of Kennebec,
Ordered that all matters relating to reduc-
tion of salaries and emouments of officers in
kennebec county, be referred to the delega-
ton from that county
On motion of Mr.. SMITH of Lincoln,
Ordered That the delegation from Lincoln
county take into consideration the adjustment
of salaries in that county.
On motion of Mr.. THOMPSON of Knox,
Ordered that when the Senate adjourn it be
to meet next Monday at 4 o'clock, p M.
On motion of Mr.. ROGERS of Penobscot.
Ordered, The House concurring, that the
| several committees ordered to visit the sew
eral institutions are hereby instructed to visit
such institutions by subcommittee Of Ave
members from each committee, and no more.
Mr.. PRINCE of Androscoggin, said that he
was opposed to the order He thought these
|
principles. The State appropriates $3.50, 900
to various institutions and the legislature
should look after them. From his expert
ence he is convinced that the money used by
these visiting committees Is not thrown away.
During the visits made one year, a member
of one of the committees made discoveries
which led to an entire overthrow in the man.
agement of one of the State institutions. He
did not believe in instructing these commit
tees.
Mr.. PATrEN of Penobscot, dissented from
the last Senator's views. He felt that COM
mittees should be chosen to visit the various
institutions, but he was opposed to large COM
mittees of twenty y-fve and when the members
took their wives at the expense of the tax
payers of the State A large committee is
not so effective as small one. If he were one
Of committee Of three, he whould feel more
responsibility than he should if he were a
member of a larger committee.
Mr.. ROBERTS of Waldo moved to amend
the order so that the number be changed
| from five to three.
Mr.. Rogers said that his order met his idea
and was according to his judgement. His
idea was to make compromise by allowing
one-half committee to make these investi-
cations.
| Mr.. MApIGAN of Aroostook said that he had
little to say on the matter as it had been SO
much ventilated in the House, and as all un-
derstood the question. He assumed, he said,
and he had right to assume, that every SEN
ator was animated by desire of duty. He
assumed that they would not vote to appro
pirate money, unless they vote knowingly and
understandingly. But how is the legislature
to obtain information regarding the institu-
tions which require support? Not from the
trustees Of these places, but from sufficient
committees of the legislature. He would re-
gret to see these committees confined to q
membership of three, and five was as little as
it should be. What Senator here wants to
shoulder the responsibility involved upon the
one member of this branch who would be
allowed by the amendment? He should regret
to be put there. 1t is too responsible trust.
1t is the most insane kind of reform to vote
or refuse to vote upon appropriations without
knowing what we are doing. The people
will hold us responsible. If we refuse to in
stitute measures to throw light upon the man.
agement of the State institutions we are not
doing our duty.
Mr. ELLIS of Waldo favored instructing the
committees to investigate the various institu-
tons He opposed the idea OF sending Wis
iting committee from the Legislature TO have
a good time, and thought it was money thrown
away. He said that five members would be
sufficient. if they took time enough.
Mr. MADIGAN thought every one under
stood that visiting committee meant an in
vestigating committee.
Mr.. PATTEN seconded the idea of the last
speaker. He said that he meant to vote for
everything he felt was right without regard
for party. He did not care by whom a meas
ure might be presented.
Mr.. BRApFoRp of Washington, moved to
table the matter.
Mr. RoBERTs defended his order.
The Senate then voted to lay to lay the or
der on the table.
On motion of Mr.. CHASE of Piscataquis, the
resolve appropriating s2500 for the support
of State paupers, was taken from the table,
and the rules being suspended, the resolve
took its several readings and passed to be en-
crossed. in concurrence with the House.
Mr.. THOMAS, from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported bill an act to enable the trus-
tees of the Magdalen Cemetery Corporation
TO convey real estate, and that it ought to
pass. On motion of Mr.. THOMAS, the rules
were suspended, the bill took its several read
ings and passed to be engrossed.
Mr.. HAwEs, from the Committee on Civil
Service Reform, to which was referred the
order of inquiry as to when the mileage of
members changed from 10 to 20 cents
per mile, and under what law said increase of
mileage was authorized. reported that the law
was changed by a resolve on the pay roll Of
the Legislature, approved Feb. 80, 1872, and
the precedent established by this resolve has
been followed by succeeding Legislatures un-
til the present time.
!; The report was accepted.
Mr.. BARKER, from the Committee on State
Lands and State Roads, reported resolve in
favor of James Moore and David Moore, of
No. IL, Range One Plantation. Printed un-
der rule.
See second page.