The Portland daily press., 1881-03-08
AUGUSTA.
Gov. Plaisted Likely to Veto the
Apportionment Bill.
QUESTION AS TO THE PAY OF LEGIS-
LATORS.
Senator Blaine's Resignation Received
by Telegraph.


by Telegraph.
Especial Despatch to the Press.l
AUGUSTA, March Z.
There is a good deal of work that remains to
be accomplished by the law makers before
final adjournment takes place. On account of
the election of a successor to Senator Blaine
final adjournment cannot possibly occur be-
fore the 10th inst, and as there are quite a
number of the most important measures of
the session which are to come up for discussion,
it is not among the impossibillties that the ses-
sion will be prolonged until the fourth week of
March.
The report of the Committee on Legislative
Apportionment will undoub tedly excite con-
siderable debate when it is considered land even
should it pass and to 60 the Governor there
is every reason to believe that he will veto
it under any circumstances. In such an event
there is little or no prospect of the sufficient
two-thirds vote to pass it over the Governors
veto, and so there will be further delay in de-
batting it over again and making the apportion-
ment acceptable to all concerned. Many of the
Republican leaders express feeling of dissat-
isfaction with the proposed apportionment of
representative districts, and express decided
preference for the apportionment of 1871, as
they find on examination that the several rep
resentatives taken from Republican districts
have been given to Democratic districts, and
cite for instance the proposed superintendent
for Aroostook county.
Then there is the congressional apportion-
ment which, up to date, the committee haye
not touched, there being difference of opin-
ion as to whether the Legislature had the
right to make such apportionment until Con-
gres furnishes the basis. 1t has been suggested
that conditional apportionment might be
made, which many claim would be unprece-
dented A gentleman who is looking into tn
matter informs me that he has found but one
conditional apportionment for members of
Congress in this State, and that one provided
for certain number Of districts, and that if
Congress should apportion to this State more
or less than apportioned by the Legislature.
that then the Governor should order an cleo
ton at large for the number of REPRESENTATIVES
given by Congress, leaving the formation of
districts to be made up after the first election
OF Congressman. Whether the present Legis-
lature will follow this single precedent and
leave the matter to Gov. Plaisted of ordering
an election of Congressman without regard to
districts or notices is a matter for serious con-
sideration and may involve delay in adjourn
ment. Possibly it may occasion an adjourned
session of the Legislature to next year.
In this connection it is interesting to state
that Democratic lawyer of high repute gives
it as his opinion that the members of this Leg
islature, under the law as it now stands, will
be entitled to not only receive their pay for
this session but also to receive the same pay
next year whether session of the Legislature
is holden or not. His argument is that the
constitution provides that Senators and Rep
resentatives shall receive such compensation as
shall be established by law The statute, he
says, fixing the pay of Senators and Represen-
tatives has not been changed by the Legisla-
ture and still reads. leach member of the Sem
ate and House of Representatives shall be paid
a salary of $3.50 for the regular annual session
OF the Legislature. Hence the members are
entitled to $3.50 annually. On the other hand
it is claimed by good legal authority that the
constition still provides that members of the
Legislature shall receive such pay as is estab-
lished by law, and that the law still provides
that members shall receive $3.50 for each an
nual session, but makes no provision for any
pay for biennial sessions, and the present SEES
sion being the first biennial session under the
amended constitution, it is grave question
whether members can receive any compen sa-
ton.
The proposed constitutional amendment pro-
hibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxi-
eating liquors, the railroad tax bill, Mr..
Strout's equity bill and several other measures
are likely to occupy more time in their consid-
Grafton than is looked for by the average mem.
ber may also add that there is decided
feeling, which is participated in by members
of both parties, to change biennial sessions of
the Legislature back to annual sessions, and it
is not unlikely that this may create an extend
ed debate.
The hearings before the Insane Hospital
committee relating to the management of that
institution will be brought to close this week.
A voluminous amount of testimony has been
taken, but nothing has been elected to lessen
tho confidence of the people in the present
management of the hospital. So far as Mr..
Lakin, the steward and treasurer, is concerned
the investigation has not only shown him to
be the right man for the place he fills, but that
the State should increase his salary, which
will undoubtedly be recommended by the COM
mlttee 1t is no secret that Mr. Lakin has al
ready received an offer from Hon. j. r. Bod
we'll of Hallowe1 of $25OO year to act as his
farm superintendent. The State gives Mr..
Lakin $500 year, and under his admirable
management thousands of dollars have been
saved to the State. The question whether the
State can afford to lose the services of such
man as Mr.. Lakin is one worthy of more
than ordinary consideration.
Charters have been asked for the Calais
bank, Norway bank and Richmond bank
The House concurred with the Senate in
limiting the salary of insurance commissioner
to $500. 1t is to be paid by insurance com.
panies. alLBe aIe .La
The bill that was reported permitting fe-
males to vote is from the minority of the Jul
dietary Committee. 1t provides that female
citizens of this State p assessing the other con-
stitutional and statutory qualifications for
electors are entitled to vote in the choice of
school officers in town meetings, ward meet
ings and upon all questions in school district
meetings isifsW IL 5
The resolves establishing the state valuation
as fixed by the Commission and to revise the
statutes have both finally passed. .a.
Mr.. Blaine's resignation did not arrive to-
day, but Gov. Plaisted received the following
dispatch, which he laid before legislature
- WASHINGTON, D. c., March Z.
To Hon. Harris NJ. Plaistsd, Governor of
Maine:
For fear my letter may not reach you today,
hereby notify you that on March 9Th 1 re-
signed my seat in the Senate. You can advise
the Legislature of the fact which thus com
municate by telegraph. Can you give the
notice today? Please answer Immediately.
-,fsj b. ve-E JAMES G. BLAINE.