Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-27
NO %.
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.
FRIDAY, Jan. 26th.

| IaPerS Hoh Tue uouse uisposeu OF In
concurrence.
On motion of Mr.. Young of Cumberland,
Ordered, That when the Senate adJourns
it be to meet on Monday. Jan. Goth, at IL
| o'clock A. NJ
| Mr.. Bragdon of Hancock, from the Com
mittee on Commerce, reported fought to
pass" on the bill an act to incorporate the
Merchants Marine Railway Co.
MIR. Mclaughlin of Cumberland, from the
Committee on Indian Affairs, reported fought
to pass" on resolve in favor of Passamaquod-
dv Indians.
Same Senator, from the Committee on the
Judiciary, reported fought to pass" on bill
an act t. amend chap. 73, sec. 26 of the re-
vised statutes in relation to the Registry of
Deeds.
Same Senator from same committee report
ed Legislation inexpedient" on order relat-
ing to the expediency of requiring plan of
all real estate to accompany the deed.
Mr.. Wentworth of Penobscot, from Com
mittee on the Judiciary, reported Legislation
ineypedent' on order relating to amendment
of constitution SO that State elections shall
be held in November.
Same Senator from same committee re-
ported legislation inexpedient on order of leg
islature in relation to legislation as to per-
INIT adverse parties to testify in cases where an
Se,ate document No. ,, bill ian act fer the
promotion OF safe and accurate legislation by
the employment of a legislative draughts-
man, came up on its passage to be engrossed.
Mr.. Kimball of Sagadahoc moved to
amend sec. 3 of the bill, so that it would
read: whenever such draughtsman is en-
ployed, no bill or resolve as aforesaid shall
be engrossed until he shall have affixed his
certificate that it has been examined by him
and is correct in form
Mr.. Gushee of Knox said that he hardly
understood why such bill had been intro
duced. So far as have been able to ascer-
tain, he said, the legislature of Maine for the
last GO years has been able to frame suitable
laws without draughtsman. and he did not
believe that the present legislature was in
competent. While the office may not be a
siDecure. l think we can get along without
it. l therefore move the indefinite post
ponement of the bill.
Mr.. Kimball of Sagadahoc:
Evidently the gentleman from Knox has not
given the matter the careful thought
which its importance demands. In making
the statement that for the last GO years able
and Ineligible laws have been made, he dis
plays his total unacquaintance with the
statutes. Read what Judge Goddard says on
page ! Of his revision when he recommends
mittees appointed to examine bills are not al
ways ''men skilled in the law" and errors
and antiquities are liable to creep into the
bills enacted by any legislature.
Mr.. Gushee of Knox:
| see it is clearly a question Of incapacity
or derelection of duty on the part of the leg
islators. If of incapacity, our constituents
should send better men to represent them;
if of derelection, it should be remedied. In
the employment of a draugbtsman, the ques-
ton of expense must be considered. His
any two members of this Senate. therefore
press my motion for an indefinite postpone
ment.
Mr. Rust of Waldo
/ have an amendment. l move to
amend sec. of this bill so that the compen-
saton of this draughtsman shall not exceed
S. a day.
Mr. Kimball of Sagadahoc:
| hope that the amendment just offered will
not be adopted. If the work is worth doing
at all, it is worth doing well. I think the
matter of compensation can safely be left
with the Governor and Council and the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Rust of Waldo
introduced my amendment for the pur.
pose of restricting the amount which the
visions he gets twice as much as any member
of this legislature. am opposed to the bill,
and to the creation of another new Office in
this State, unless the necessity for it is clear
ly shown. As has been well remarked by
the Senator from Knox, the legislature of
Maine for the last 90 wears has framed its
own laws, and during that period some of the
most weighty and important measures have
been enacted. What is the course of legisla-
tion in the two branches? petition Is pre-
sented in the House or Senate, and it is
Immediately referred TO one of the standing
committees. What are they? They are
made up Of the best men in the legislature,
men competent to frame laws. 1t would be
very strange if there were not enough ability
in the Judiciary Committee to frame a law
which should be properly drawn and express
ed in correct legal form. What Is the
purpose of Committee on Engrossed Bills,
if it is not for the very object for which a
draughtsman is asked? Are the members of
this committee tn shrk their duty? / repudi-
ate such an insinuation. / am here to do
my duty; I am not here to surrender my
judgment to that of anyone else. Before |
vote to add another officer to this legislature,
increasing the expense of a session at least
$1,000, someone must demonstrate to me the
necessity for such an office.
Mr.. Young of Cumberland:
There is now on the table before us a bill
which in its verbiage would seem to demon
strate the necessity Of employing a draughts-
man. ! will not cali attention to it, it is so
absurd. Mistakes frequently creep Sin from
haste, because the committees are so over
burdened that they cannot give that critical
clerical attention to a bill which it deserves.
I agree with the preceding speaker that we
are sent here to work and not to shirk; but
we are sent here empowered to take such
means to facilitate legislation as may seem
necessary. 1t is simply question of how
we can occupy our time to the best advan-
tage. The world has come to believe in
subdivision of labor. There has been q
great change since the legislature Of 1879,
which was par excellence the economical leg
islature. The people of Maine have shown
that they are not in favor of men who come
here to curtail expenses, neglecting the busi-
ness of the State.
Mr.. Gushee of Knox:
If such an Office is necessary, l hope the
amendment of the gentleman from Waldo
will prevail. The legislature fixes the salary
of all State officers, and should decide what
compensation shall be given this draughts-
man.
Continued on third page.)