Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-11
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.
THURSDAY. Feb. 10.


the President committee consisting of
Messrs Wakefield. Lamsom and Clarke.
were appointed to receive, sort and count
votes for President pro tenn.
The committee reported that the whole
number of votes thrown was IS, all of which
we're for Hon. Joseph s. Berry, who was
declared elected President pro tenn
On taking the chair. Mr.. BERRY returned
thanks in appropriate remarks.
The Secretary was charged with message
to the Governor and Council. and TO the
House conveying the information that in the
absence Of the President, Hon. Joseph S.
Berry had been chosen President pro ten.
Prayer by the Chaplain.
Papers from the House passed in concur
renee.
A resolve authorizing the State Librarian
to deliver certain documents to the Maine
Historical Society. TO complete its files, came
from the House passed to be engrossed. The
resolve was BASED to be engrossed under sus-
pension of the rules.
On motion Of Mr.. DUDLEY,
Ordered. That the Committee on the Judi
ciary be requested to inquire into the neces-
sity of amending chap. g, sec. 10, Of the re-
vised statutes. BY inserting the word ''bark'
after the word ''wood," in the fourth line of
said section. in order to carry out the full
spirit of said section, and report by bill or
otherwise.
Mr.. EMERY from the Committee on the Ju-
dietary, on order to amend section 3, chapter
1872, Of the public laws of 1875, relating to
the support of paupers by plantations, report
ed legislation inexpedient. Accepted.
Same Senator from the same Commute,
on petition for an increase Of salary of Reg
lister of Probate for Somerset county, report
4 Ill
ton.
Accepted.
Same Senator, from same committee, on
order declaring no person ineligible to Office
Of Superintendent of Schools, or Supervisor
Of Schools. on account of sex, reported bill
an act making women eligible to hold GER
tain school offices; laid on the table to be
printed
Mr. MoRTLAND, from the Committee on the
Judiciary, on petition Of G. ID. Boynton and
others. and petition of w. II. Brown and
others of PenobscOt Bar, that chapter 247 of
the public laws of 1880, be repealed, that the
same be referred to the Committee on Tenn
perance. Accepted.
Same Senator from same committee, on
bill an act additional to chapter Is Of the re-
vised statutes. relating to damages for land
taken for highways, reported that the same
ought to pass. Accepted.
Mr.. DUDLEY moved that the Senate recon-
slider its vote whereby it accepted in concur
renee the report of the Judiciary Committee,
which reported unfavorably on the bill giving
women the right of suffrage.
Mr.. DUDLEY stated his purpose. He
wanted the matter brought up squarely before
this body for consideration. Whatever NAV
be its fate, there are members who desire to
give consideration to the question. 1t should
not be treated lightly. some members are
disposed to do, but seriously. He didn t
want TO make light of the subject or to inflict
upon the Senate any long speech, but he
wanted the question given the attention
which it justly deserves.
Mr.. MoRrLAND said it was far from him to
choke off discussion. He wanted to do what
was right and fair The subject of this bill
has, in substance. been before the Maine
legislature and the legislatures of other
States, and there is no novelty about it. Two
afternoons were given it before the Judiciary
Committee of the present legislature. The
Senator from Aroostook and others appeared
and argued the question. BY accepting the
report of the Committee we are moi
choking off debate. He had no partic-
ular objection to the continuance
of the discussion, but after due consideration
the Judiciary Committee had reported unani-
mouslv that the bill ought not to pass.
Mr.. DUDLEY said the committee had given
but a single hour to this bill. listening to DIR.
Blackwell. Mrs. Quinby and himself He
asked that the bill he printed.
Mr.. MoRTLASD said that in one respect he
would stand corrected. Perhaps only an
hour had been given to this particular bill
but on the other petitions and orders asking
for female suffrage. the time of two after.
moons had been consumed These embraced
really the same subject; the reason for one
was the reason for the other.
Mr.. EMERY said the senator from Knox
was correct; the questions were discussed
together, and so nearly unanimous was the
committee on this bill that he did not choose
to bring in a minority report. In regard to
woman's suffrage on school matters, there is
is likely to he two reports. He thought it a
good time to dispose of this question now an,
here, and he would like to have the vote or
the reconsideration. a test vote on the merits
of the case involved.
Mr.. CLARKE said this would be placing
members in an unenviable position. If the
matter had been brought before the Senate
and properly discussed. members would have
had more light to guide their action. He
should vote now not to accept the report per
maps ne snouiu nave Noteu ul11erently nau the
question been discussed.
Mr. BEATTY said he did not see how voting
for reconsideration would necessarily be ar
endorsement of woman suffrage.
Mr.. PArrANGALL said that at this stage he
didn't deem il hardly fair in the pending vote
to have the question squarely come whether
or not we are in favor of the main question
Mr.. MoRTLAND was not a little surprised
at the course of some Senators on this sub
ject. For any one to say that the question is
not squarely before the Senate for discussion.
is certainly queer. Why not discuss the sub
iect now? IT there is not enough time then
Law it on the table. Everybody is familiar
with the question. The committee says leg
islation is inexpedient. If you differ from
the committee come squarely up and say So
No lodging. but put yourself on record.
Mr.. CLARKE said he did not fear the record
on this or any other question. But he was
open to convictian4 and investigation. 1t is
only asked thsAnhe snbiect NAV be properly
brought befores1he Senate. For that reason
he should vote not to accept the report of the
committee.
Mr. LAasoS saw no reason why the vote
should not be reconsidered to permit the Sen
ator from Aroostook time to show his side OF
the case
Mr.. FLINT said he wanted it settled now
There is not n boy six years old who does not
understand the question. He was ready to
vote now.
Mr.. DISGLEr thought it proper that the
matter should come before the Senate for dis.
cussiou and proper time be given He n,oved