Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-03-15
legislative Proceedings.
Continued from first Page. }

kNontluutu from Htst iAEc.J
the propagation of fish, was taken up on mo-
ton Of Mr.. PARcHEn.
The receive was discussed bv Messrs. Parch-
er, Harris, Dearborn, Linn, Bradford and
Strickland.
was tabled.
The Senate then proceeded to the consid-
Grafton of the bill to increase the salary and
number of the Judges of the Supreme Judi
cial Court. The question was on the amend
meut proposed by Mr.. Berry of kennebcc
striking out the clause providing for ncrcaS-
ing the number of judges from seven to
eight.
Mr.. FARcnEE at the request of his col
league. who was absent necessarily. moved
that the bill be laid upon the table.
The Senate refused 70 lay upon the table.
Mr.. HARRIS said that for thirty-fve years
in our history We have had eight Judges on
the bench, and they have been constantly
employed. Never has there been complaint
hat they wasted their time or the money or
the people. This law of last winter was not
even considered in the committee OF the leg
islaturc. and was not asked for by any
petitions. Last winter the committee on Civ
il Service Reform. asked for less compcnsa-
ton. but did not ask for reduction ofthe num-
Der of Judges. In the House q single irdi-
vidual had proposed to strike off one of the
Judges and IL was carried IL was done
quickly and without much thought and
though but few months have passed the
result is manifest. Petitions have come sp
here from all parts of the State. asking that
the number may be increased, The seven
judges themselves. all honorable men. ask
for another judge To assist them in their du-
ties. Judge Libbey was recently obliged to
leave court in the midst of business. and
proceed TO another court. Those who know
the cost of court. and the inconvenience o,
such an interruption can appreciate
the situation. He was informed that
tho business of the courts is increasing
and A. measure of economy, and
TO save costs to the people, he should vote for
the bill
Mr. DEARBORN said the bin met with his
appreciation just as it had come from the
House, and he hoped it would be passed with
Gnt any amendments. But he would sacri-
flee a portion of the bill rather than it should
all fail. The necessity for the eighth Judge
10 very clearly demonstrated. No able law
yer with a lucrative practice would leave
that practice TO accept a judgeship with a
salary fonly $1,000
Mr.. BRAproRp said the increased salary is
no more than necessary to conform to the in
NftNSN0 NN>t VI hNlnA. Last year lie tpiet
for the decrease. but one years reflection had
convinced him Of his mistake
Mr.. BANNER said thar from the best infor-
nation he could get upon the subject, he
judged the salaries established last year are
amply sufficient, He spoke of the able jur-
lists who had adorned the bench in past
years, and who received salaries lower than
those now paid the judges. When the salary
was elS0o, we had as able judges GA the bench
~ we have had since. The present compen-
sation is enough to satisfy reasonable men
1t Is enough to support a good-sized family.
besides laying aside = competency. The
5000 nov is equivalent to $500 in 1872,
when the salary was raised TO 5000. The
reduction Of the salaries of public officers last
winter was made, because right and justice
demanded it. The bill was passed last year
withoutregard to party lines. The people in
his own county arc opposed TO an increase
In these salaries. He had too much
sespect for the judges personally to
voee for this increase in the present as
pect Of Affairs at the capital. After what
had TRANSFERRED, il would be an everlasting
stigma, not only upon that court. but upon
all who would vote to carry out the terms of
an ignominious contract which vas said to be
on foot during the early days OF the session.
He took NO stock in the statements, and re-