Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-05

connection with the railroad tax.
Mr.. DIcKEr of TT. Kent, proposed to make
the salary $500 to include all expenses for
travel etc, and organizations of corporations
under the statute which he believed a sufi-
clent sum. Since the abolition of capital
punishment the Attorney General is not re-
CURED to attend on trials formerly capital.
lpe business of the Office is taken away, and
he thought the office ought to be abolished.
If it was to be retained he wanted his amend
ment adopted
Mr.. YOUNG, of Brunswick. made the point
that the sum fixed by the amendment would
all be used in defraying the attorney generals
expenses and he would have nothing but the
honor of the office as compensation
Mr.. FARRISGroS of Fryeburg, said he in
tended the $500 to be in addition to expenses.
MIR. RICE of Rockland, thought it for the
interest of the State that a sufficient salary
should be annexed to the office to enable the
State to secure the benefit of distinguished
counsel Those cases formerly capital are
tried with as much care, and are defended by
as able counsel rs before the death penalty was
removed. County attorneys are generally
younger members of the profession. And if
there WAS no attorney general to come to their
assistance, it would be the duty of the court
to appoint counsel, and the expense thus nc
cruing would greatly exceed the sum reported
by the committee
Mr. DiCKEY said the Attorney General was
no! required to attend on such trials and ac-
cording to that officers report, he did not at
tend. He regarded the office as a sinecure.
Mr.. FARRINGToN withdrew his amendment
But, he said if Mr.. Dickcy's amendment was
voted down he would move to amend so that
$1,000 shall be in full for all travelling cx-
pcnses and pcrquisites
Mr. HOMER of Bucksport, agreed with the
amendment proposed by Mr.. harrington
Such was the intention of the committee
Mr. PERRY of Camden, also favored the
proposed amendment.
Mr.. CrRRAN of Calais. moved to amend the
amendment offered by Mr.. Dickey, so as to
make the salary $1,000 instead of $500, which
was accepted by Mr.. Dickcy.
Mr.. BRowS opposed the amendment, be-
cause not clear and plain.
Mr.. LOCKE of Portland, hoped Mr.. Dickey
wonld withdraw his amendment, leaving that
of Mr.. Harrington to be acted upon as they
were one and the same virtually.
Mr.. DICKEY then withdrew his amendment
when Mr.. Harrington proposed the following
after the word services" travelling ex-
pcnscs and prrquisitcs," which was adopted
The question then came on the amendment
of Mr.. WILSON, to make the salaries of the
railroad commissioners S. per day instead oi
$500 each per annum, rs provided in the bill
and also to provide that the COMPENSATION
shall be paid by the railroa Is on which the
duties are performed instc al of by the State.
Mr.. WILSON said his amendment REQ tab
lshed il as it was in &c, and previou sly there
to. In '16 it was changed in this wag; The
State paid it al Of the roads. In 1878
it became salary of 81 900 to be paid by the
State. BY the adoption of his amendment
there WDulI b,. IA unf IN Ia h., tatn
If the recommendation Of the committee was
adopted there remained $500 still to be paid
by the State. He believed it rightly belonged
TO the railroads TO pay. Such is the law in
Massachusetts. 1t hal cen said by some
that the commissioners ere more Independent
if paid by the State. Had there been any
complaint in this resi- ect? He had seen the
practical operation of the power of the rail
road commissioners over the officers of rail
roads. They have absolute power and con-
troll within the law, whether the road or State
pays them. 1t would not affect their indie
pendence article.
Mr.. IoUNG of Brunswick, opposed the
amendment and cited the case of Charles
Francis Ad ms of Massachusetts, who deemed
il incumbent upon him to resign position as
Inspector of one of the most important roads
in the country while having a salary of $40,
600, because he was left by the law at the
mercy Of the road Cor transportation and other
cOurtesies, considering that slight indebted
ness put it beyond his power to do justice in tn,
matter. He made no oh ection to the repori
Of the committee reducing the compensation.
But the amendment would increase the paw.
and the roads would have to pay fifteen or
sixteen hundred dollars piece to the com
missioncrs. One railroad commissioner had
told him that last year he spent something
over 300 days on railroads in the State The
railroad commi .sioners should be independ-
ent of the railroad corporations.
Mr.. WILSON replied. 1t was ridiculous to
talk of $500 being sufficient for man who is
compelled to go all over the State as rail-
road commissioner and attend properly to his
duties. Charles Francis Adams was a sneak
If he resigned for the reason given. Having
$40, 900 year he could have paid his fare.
1t was a mistake altogether to suppose that
this board would be influenced by such petty
considerations.
Mr.. You've replied.
Mr.. BRowN of Bangor. .aid the committc,
took into consideration the important duties
Of the commissioners and came to the conclu-
sion that their services would he required
from IS to 100 days each per year, and tina,
So day was very fair pay He knew many
good men who would accept the position a.
tHat saiarN. Inc OIHCcrs ought 10 ne lnue-
pendent of the railroads as il is a matter af-
fecting the interests and safety of the public
If the amendment was adopted there wa.
nothing to compel the railroads to pay for
the services if they should refuse. And il
they di pay they would turn round and levy
an increased fare on the people, and get il
back in that way.
Mr.. KIMBALL Of Bath, was in favor of re-
ducing the number of commissioners to one,
and of paying him so that he could devote
his whole time to his duties. He would have
him independent of the roads In no other W ay
could unbiased reports be secured. If tn,
amendment was adopted he thought it would
be but just to deduct the compensation
from the tax which the railroads are now
obliged to pay.
Mr.. PIcKARD of Bangor, was opposed to the
whole idea Of railroad commissioners. He
would have a competent civil engineer, to b,
appointed by the Governor and Council at a
salary Of So per day while actually employed
and expenses not to exceed $500 per annum
to be paid by the State, and he would offer an
amendment to that effect.
Messrs. Young of Brunswick and Kimball
of Bath, concurred in the idea of one com