Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-25
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.

Papers from the House disposed of in con-
currence-
On motion of Mr.. PARcHER, resolve IN favor
of Eugene Michaud, called Zebulon, was laid
on the table pending its first reading
On motion of Mr.. L.MsoS. the resolves in
favor of the St. Elizabeth Orphan Asylum
at Portland; also in favor Of the female
Orphan Asylum at Portland, were laid on
the table pending their first reading.
On motion of Mr.. CORNISH the order and
statement of facts relating to the Orphans
ASYLUM at Bath was laid on the table and or
dered 10 be printed.
communication was received from the
Secretary of State, transmitting the titles OF
acts and resolves approved by the executive
On motion Of Mr. BERRY.
Ordered, That the amount paid by Hon.
A. H. Walker for kilograms on gubernatorial
votes be added to that Senator's pay roll.
On motion of Mr.. EMERY,
Ordered. That the Secretary of the Senate
cause to be laid on the desks of Senators at
the opening Of each daily session, printed
lists of all matters assigned for such session,
and all matters upon the table, with state
ment Of pending questions. Such orders
shall be listed in the order of such assign
ment or tabling-
On motion of Mr.. MoRTLASD,
Ordered. The House concurring the Leg
stature take 4 recess on and after Tuesday
March lst till Tuesday March 22d, 1881, at
10 o'clock A. VI.
On motion Of the same Senator the order
was laid on the table.
Pending its passage to be engrossed, an
act to amend sec. chap. l2s of the revised
statutes, relating to unwholesOme provisions
and drinks, was tabled on motion of Mr..
Dingley.
Mr. HILL of Penobscot moved that the
Senate insist on their former action, on re-
solve expressive of sympathy with Ireland,
and ask for a conference with committee of
the House.
Mr.. WALKER moved to divide the question,
and on motion of the same Senator, the Sen
ate insisted on their former action.
Mr. HILL of Penobscot moved to ask for a
committee of conference and that the
vote be taken by yeas and nays. The result
was as follows:
YEAs-Clarke. Dudley, FernaId. Hill of Penob-
scot Lord, sherman. smith,.
NAYs.-Ne'srs. Baker, Beatty, Berry, Bisbee.
Brewer. Buxton. Coffin, Cornish, Dingey, Emery
Flint, Hill of Hancock, Lamson. MOrtland Nuttng
Parcher, Pattangall, Sanborn, Wakefield Walker,
20
Mr. SANBoRN from the Committee on Ier-
camille Affairs and Insurance, on order to in
quire into the expcdiency of amending the
laws of the State relating to insurance. that
insurance companies shall pay. in case OF
loss the full amount of the risk, reported
legislation inexpedient Report accepted.
Mr. BERRY from the Committee on Print
ing and Binding. reported that Il contract
had been effected with responsible parties.
Report accepted and printed under rule.
Mr. BEATTY from the Committee on tinan-
cial Affairs. on the salaries in the office OF
the Superintendent of Public Schools, re-
ported legislation inexpedient. Report ac-
cepted.
Mr.. BREWER from the Committee on Fish
cries and Game on order comforting on the
Fish Commissioners the power and duty over
all matters pertaining to same, reported legis-
lation inexpedent. Report accepted.
On motion of Mr.. WALKER bill an act to
build a wharf in the town of Bremen was
taken from the table and indefinitely post
poned.
The amendment proposed by Mr.. HUI of
Penobscot to the annual appropriation for
the militia, that $4,000 be appropriated in
stead of SIG. 900. was taken up as left at the
time of the adjournment Wednesday.
Mr.. EMERY inquired of the Committee on
Military Affairs whether after investigation
they thought SIG, 900 was too large an appro-
priation.
Mr. FERSALp said The committee, after a
careful examination. considered $4,000 the
smallest appropriation with which the militia
could get along and keep up to the standard
of well organized troops.
Mr.. EMERY said He believed in keeping
every department up to its fullest proficiency.
The question was whether they should have
a good or a poor militia, and for one he would
rather have none than have poor and I'M
disciplined militia. The committee had ex-
amined the question. and stated that SIC, 900
would be required to maintain the proficiency
Of this department, and he should be in favor
Of granting this request.
Mr. MoRrLAND said he was willing to vote
all that was absolutely necessary for this
department. Still the senators should take
into consideration the large taxes. Last year
they had clothed the militia, and it seemed
that Low they could get along with a smaller
appropriation; accordingly he moved an
amendment to the amendment that 81, 900
be substituted in place of the $4,000.
Mr.. WALKER SAID Last year, after care
full consideration Of the matter. the legisla-
ture placed law among the statutes of this
State so that we should have stable and re-
liable militia. They were then equipped and
enlisted for five years. All were anxious
that this department should be conducted in
accordance with firm and regular system.
That system was great innovation on the
old one where they performed duty at will AMI
gratuitouslv. Now the volunteer militia is
absolutely under the control of the State and
is paid one dollar per day when on duty. 1t
was the design of the present bill to have the
State continue this control. The estimates
in this bill were made by
men who knew that the legi>-
lature would scrutinize every appropriation
and would use that power in this case fully.
OF course they guided themselves according
", and asked simply for what was needed in
the military department. Why the appro-
priatiou asked for is only about cents to
every 1000. which the militia is designed to
protect. Looking to the appropriations of
other States, he found that New Hampshire
with about one-half as many inhabitants as
Maine, annually appropriates So, 200, and
Rhode Island $1,000. The legislation of
other States. should have great deal of force
on those who are unacquainted with such
matters.
This appropriation is not a novel matter.
There has been an appropriation of $4,000
excepting in 1879. yet the militia then had
no force or value as compared with the or
gsnizatiou contemplated by this law. BY an
appropriation of ten or twelve thousand dol
lars, the realization of the intended result of
last year cannot be had. To show the impor-
lance in which Governor King regarded the
militia the Senator read the first order of that
Envarpnr