Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-24
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
SRNArI.
TUESDAY, Jan. 23d.

| TUESDAY, Jan. 23d.
| Met according to adjournment.
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Sargent of Augusta.
| Papers from the House disposed of in
concurrence.
On motion of Mr.. PehRell of Androscoggin.
the petition for ten hour law, referred by
the House to Committee on the Judiciary,
was referred to the Committee on Legal
Affairs.
Communications were received from the
Secretary of State transmitting the annual
report of the Agent of the Penobscot tribe Of
Indians and the annual report of the Agent
of the Passamaquoddy Indians; referred to
Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mr.. Parkhurst of Aroostook moved TO re-
consider the vote whereby the Senate con-
Cured with the House in ordering printed
$50 copies of the testimony taken by the COM
missioners appointed TO investigate the State
| Reform School. On motion of same Senator,
the order was definitely postponed.
| On motion of Mr.. Pennell of Androscoggin.
House order directing the Committee on
Manufactures TO inquire into the expediency
| of requiring all boots ard shoes made and
sold in this State, which are composed of
leather board in part, TO be stamped with the
letters IL B. or some other appropriate mark,
was taken from the table. On motion of
same Senator the Senate non-coucurred with
the House in the passage of the order, and
it was indefinitely postponed
| On motion of Mr.. Bragdon of Hancock,
| Ordered, The House concurring. that the
Committee on Commerce be requested to me-
morialize the general government and the
| State of Massachusetts to abolish compulsory
pilotage.
| On motion of Mr.. Weeks of kennebec,
| Ordered, That the Committee on Railroads,
Telegraphs and Expresses be instructed to
| inquire into the expediency Of amending
| chap. PA. sec. of the public laws of 1880,
so that real estate owned by express compa-
MES may be taxed in towns where located. as
| other property now is, and report by bill or
| otherwise.
Mr.. Wentworth of Penobscot, from the
| Committee on the Judiciary, to which was
referred the petition of the County Com
mssioners of Kennebec for the establishment
of the salary of the Judge of the Municipal
Court of the city of Augusta, accompanied
bv bill. asked leave to report Legislation
inexpedient." Report accepted.
| Same Senator from same committee report
ed ''leave to withdraw" on petition of Samuel
Page and Sc others asking that a law be pass
ed whereby all horses shall be broken to
service with open brides. Report accepted
Bill an act to increase the salary of the
County Attorney of Knox county came up
by assignment.
Mr.. Rust of Waldo opposed the bill. He
said
This is the first of large number of bills
coming before this legislature for an increase
of salaries. Four years ago the legislature
(the Senate being republican and the
House opposition) took up the ques-
ton Of the salaries of all the
Nd al nf h. md
readjusted them. They did this because
there was a very general complaint on the
part of the people that salaries were too high !;
that they were on a war basis and should be
decreased. Among other things they estab
lished the salary of the county attorney of
Knox county. The officers chosen since 1879
have taken the Office to which they were
elected with the idea that the salary attached
to the position would not be increased; they
had no reason to think otherwise. Now, if
there is general movement afoot to increase
the pay of State and county officers,
it should also extend to the salaries
of members of this legislature, who
render their services almost gratuitous-
". If this case stood alone. | might be i'll
duced to vote for an increase of the salary
Of the county attorney of Knox; but know
that the moment his salary is increased, we
shall have petitions from Waldo asking for
an increase of the salary of the county attor-
ney of that county, which is only $3.50. The
salary of the county attorney of Knox is
$500. | cannot conceive the necessity of in
crsasing the salary of the county attorney of
Knox to $500 while tile salary of the county
attorney of Waldo remains at $3.50. In both
counties the duties devolving upon the coun-
ty attorney are about equal. If the legisla-
lature of this State sees fit to go back of the
legislation of 1879 ard recommend general
increase of salaries, then let all counties
fare alike; but until the legislature decides
to adopt such policy think that it is not
proper to make an exception of this particular
case. therefore move that the Senate non
concur.
Mr. Stubs of Franklin said
Before the Senate takes any hasty action,
| should like to say a word or two. The bill
comes from the Committee on Legal Affairs
with a favorable report. Knox county has
three terms of Supreme Judicial Court at
every term an average of 30 indictments are
found. Now, any one who is at all familiar
with the artluous duties of county attorney,
knows that $3.50 in Waldo county and $500
in Knox are insufficient salaries. All de-
sire is that county officials shall receive fair
compensation for their labor. If the salary
of any officer is too small, let us increase it.
1t seems TO me, tnat because the cOmpenea-
ton of the county attorney of Waldo county
is only $3.50 is no reason why the salary of
the county attorney of Knox is sufficient.
Now, as to this particular case, all we ask is
that the Senate shall not take hastv action
on the matter. Therefore, move. Mr.. Pres
ident that the matter be laid on the table.
The bill was accordingly tabled.
PASSED TO BE ESGRossED.
An act to amend an act to incorporate the
city of Auburn: an act to change the name
| of Plantation No. IL, range ], in Aroostook
county.
On motion of Mr.. Gushee of Knox,
Adjourned.
PETITIONS, BILLS, ETC, PRESENTED AND
REFERRED.
By Mr. Bragdon of NATURALIZATION of
Henry Whiting and 30 others against .
change of the act of Incorporation of the
Sullivan and Hancock Steam Ferry Co. I;
referred to Committee on Commerce.
BY Mr.. Wentworth of STANDARDIZATION
of Franklin Shirley and "a others praying
for fertilizer and experiment station; re-
ferred to Committee on Agriculture. Also
petition of VIM. G. Hartman and IA others
for same; same committee. Also petition of
r W. Murch and 1913 others for same; same
committee.
BY Mr.. Hume of Washington-Petition of
officers of Lubec Savings Bank for change of