Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-25

hearing was gwen 70 the matteI ~ ue eon-
mittee, but he would not detain the House in
giving all the reasons which actuated the re-
mort. HOPKINS Digest Is very complete and
nseful work, and brings the labor Of digest.
inc the Maine Reports down to the 6Sth OF
Maine. A contract had been entered into
for Plaisted and Appeton's Digest, not yet
published 1t was the unanimous opinion OF
the committee that that was valid and bind
ing contract upon the State. Still. IS Mr..
HOPKINS had gone forward with his labor, I'M
der the impression that his work was to be
taken by the State, and completed the work
which IL of public interest, the committee
were unanimous in the opinion that the State
could do no less than to recommend the re-
solve before the House.
Mr., Cook of Lewiston regarded the meas
ure as an opening wedge for an appropria'
ton Of at least $4,000 for the benefit Of an in
disidual sr individuals who come before the
committee and say they will meet with loss
unless the State buys their hooks. He had
no doubt, that Hopkins Digest 10 good
work, but the State Is under contract to take
eight hundred copies Of Rlaisted and Apple
tons Digest At 4 cost0f $500 which will be
ready for distribution in about four weeks.
He doubted the policy of expanding twenty
five hundred or three thousand dollars for the
~
rive from any Digest within the next month.
He said the resolve centemplates that the
booka shall be distributed according to law, v
which means one to each town. Two hum
dred copies would be insufficient for this pur-
pose. and the result wOuldbe proposition to
purchase five or six hundred more. He did
not believe the measure to be in the interest
ofeconOmy and hoped it would be indefinitely
postponed. $50 ....
Mr.. HUTCHINSON IS q member Of committee
reported the resolve desired TO say a few
words in regard to the matter, Some years
ago Mr.. Hopkins commenced his work of
preparing a digest Of the the Maine Reports
from the 56 to the Goth inclusive. He was
then an attorney practicing in Portland, and
for the purpose Of carryingson the work in q
faithful manner he left his practice and de-
voted his whole time to the business in hand.
In the meantime there has been digest in
process Of preparation by Messrs. Plaistcd
and Appleton. For that work he had sub
scrihed with the understanding that it
should be issued in six months. Some two
years had elapsed since that subscription aud
Of the 1850 pages Of which the digest Is to
consist, only $50 pages are in print. At prer-
ent the State has no digest Of the decisions
contained in tao Maine reports from the seth
to the ,69th. Hopkins digest supplies this de-
fciency. A little less than 800 copies have
been sold in this State and the committee
under the circumstances, and inasMuch as all
legislatures have heretofore taken COMES of
digests which have been prepared, both by
Eastman and Virgin, the trade being small,
and inasmuch A. the young man had given
his whole time to the work which is correct
and meritOrious in every respect, thought
that the State should purchase 200 copies in
order that, he may receive some little com.
pensatiOn for the severe mental labor he has
undergone. While the request was for the
purchase Of 400 copies the committee thought
200 would furnish the heads of departments.
clerks Of canrts, judges and county COM
missioners with the work which il so
much needed. He denied that it was an en-
terinE wedge for the purchase Of more COPIES,
and il necessary to have an amendment to
cover that point he would acquiesce in it.
Mr.. HATCH Of Bangor, said six hundred of
Plaisted and Appleton's Digest had been or
dered and will be ready for delivery in one
or two months, which he thought in ample
season for all purposes. He thought this all
the State should be required to do.
Mr. SrRoUT Of Portland, remarked that n
he understood 1t befOre the committee there
10 no disposition that this shall be an enter
ing wedge for any additional number of III.
gests. Ifsuch were the intention he would
vote against il. He indorsed the remarks of
the gentleman from Lewistos. fMr. Hutchju-
son and paid compliment to the Digest Of
flaisted and Appleton. but doubted that il
would ever absolutely take the place of the
digest now prepared. He hoped the resolve
would not be inde6nesely postponed but that
II would De 20 amended that they shall be dis
t,lo1ted 70 the heads Of departments, judges,
cierks OF courts and judges Of probate.
Mr. DicKEv Of Fort Kent remarked n the,o
was anything that would give the court .rv
light he would be happy to vote for h ~, :.
thought they needed to be enlighten.d H..
It seemed to him that Plaisted and Ann,etor.
Digest which the State IL bound to take COW.
ers TINS vefy graund. He hoped the resolve
would oe laid over until next week. therahv
tsxlng the usual course Of such measurp.
Mr.. SrRorr Of Portland then moved .r
amend in accordance with his suuro.,;or
previously made. see'''o"
Mr.. Cook further opposed the re.o,x.
Mr. HILL OF Exeter seconded the motion
70 indefinitely postpone. If Yentlemon
~oo,9 examine the stte's finances thew
YOU'D see the necessity Of exercisiue economx
~ ne understood 1t Mr.. Hopkins had no
ss" !. Win the State. nor announcement
Ion. nS II IN the m.tter. II the resolve e mass.
81 o%' Q! sympathy It will be opening . door
,..,:o "ni oe aimcuIt to shut. He did NOT
believe in furnishing books to officer, for ,h %s
purpose OF perfecting them to discharva ,b .s
a ouaI;.a Men ~ elected to ONCE ought to be
!. mas not got such men then II .hor,S 01s.s
.nem. lie had no doubt that the vo,a !.
but he did not think shs s.., -
COULD anord to pass the resolve 0'sse
The amendment wa rc;ert.a
'oI,e ~as indefinitely postponed .A' 'ne re-
Resolve in favor Of EsfeNe M;ch.,a :.
.,ss2.5 Postponed By De senate special
ion of Me- 'Df 70 Day ~ taken up on mo
=. Ms. FAEssIL moved that the Ho... :.
' ~ :" ~ u. ~ giving the resolve . pas..~s
~. =. committee Of conference. III ~
~ speaker appoisted q II. ..,....
~ - part Of the House, Ness,. Fs--.SI -
4 Appleton. y ana 0ushee |
-, Vn motion Of Mr.. Burn, ~ v....,x,
~ = 81 = psutect ~ ~ q Ts..o9ro