Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-02-03

kindest feelings for the gentlemen who
desired this amendment. and for those who
had been called by name, Messrs. Nye and
Dow, and he thought they were sincere in
their desire to act for the interests of the
whole community. But for himself he had
a constitutional duty to perform. He believed
every man should decide the question for
himself whether the proposed amendment
is necessary, and vote according to his
convictions. All outside questions
and considerations should be laid
aside. He had a record on this mat
ter of amending the constitution. When here
last, the democratic party. aided by Hon. F.
A. Pike, attempted to submit to the people a
proposition to amend the constitution and
insert certain penalties and provisions in ref
erence 10 bribery at elections. Tie then took
the ground, seconded by Mr.. Wheelwright in
the Senate, and the republican party stood by
him. that il was violation of the fuudamen-
tai design of the constitution 10 incorporate
into IT part of the criminal code. He
had not changed his mind upon that point
lie could see no reason for the amendment
He did not believe that it would take the
question of prohibition out of politics. or that
it would in any way tend 10 the suppression
of the use OF Intoxicating liquors. As friend
TO prohibition, and one VINO knew the evils
pressing it that they were taking great risk.
He believed that il should not be done until
members were thoroughly convinced of the
necessity. No party whip or threat of re-
tirement would deter him from voting as he
conscientiouslv believed right. We have a
trust committed TO us to transmit this consii-
tutional form of government, which we re-
ceived from the founders of the State to pos
terity. Constitutions were intended to define
the framework of republic, 10
show where the sovereign power could be
found, and TO furnish guide to the legislator
and protection to the citizen, and a move Ike
this proposal Is SO great an innovation that We
should hesitate and have convincing reasons
before a lopting it. He had heard no reason
adduced, and until some one was presented
he should be untaithful TO his oath to support
the constitution, not to vote against it. The
trainers of the constitution wisely provided
that il should not be amended upon popular
clamor, or by petition, but that two thirds OF
both branches of the legislature should pro-
pose amendments when they deemed them nee
essary. This duty we cannot evade and while
we may regard plank in a party platform as
advisory it is no valid reason for not exercising
our best Judgment and acting upon our own
convictions. These and other considerations
have determined me to cast my vote against
it.
On motion of Mr.. Heath of Augusta,
Adjourned.
PETITIONS, BILLS, ETC, Presented AND
REFERRED.
BY Mr.. Spotford of Deer Isle-Bill an act
relating to the powers and duties of the
constable of Deer Isle; referred TO the Com
mittee on Legal Affairs.
BY Mr.. Moore of Thomaston-Bll an act
to re-establish solitary Imprisonment in the
State Prison. referred to the Committee on
Legal Affairs.
By MIR. Hale of Portland-Bill an act to
amend an act to prevent incompetent persons
from conducting the business of apothecares
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
BY Mr.. Hobart of Cornville-Petition of
the selectmen OF Embden for reimbursement
of excessive State tax of 1880; referred to
the Committee on Finance.
BY Mr.. Harmon of Iiolis-Pettion of J
O. H. Burnham and 10 others of Hollis in
favor of constitutional prohibitory amend
ment referred to the Committee on Ten
perance.
BY Mr. Webster of Orono-Petitions of
citizens of Orono for a new insane hospital
in the eastern section of the State; referred
to the Committee on Insane Hospital.
BY Mr.. Thompson of nswick-Petition
of Samuel Elliot ct ais. of Brunswick for
authority to said town to erect town build
ing; referred to the Committee on Legal
Affairs.
BY Mr.. Moves of Whtefeld-J. j. A.
Hotfses and 81 others for an appropriation to
improve navigation on jefferson and Damaris-
Gotta Lakes; referred to the Committee on
Interior Waters.
BY Mr.. Copeland of Turner-Pettion of
Walter Canham ct ais. of Livermore for
further legislation to restrict hasty divorces;
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary