Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-28

engrossed under suspension Of the rules on
motion of Mr. Richie of Winterport
| The majority and minority reports from
the Committee on Judiciary House docu-
ments No. $50 and 1873 respectively relative
| ia amendment of the constitution to change
the time of holding the State election, came
up by special assignment, the pending ques-
ton being the acceptance of the report of the
| Committee.
Mr.. Moore of Thomaston moved to substi-
tute the minority for the majority report.
Mr. Moore advocated the minority report
in brief speech. He said that the subject
matter was one upon which every member of
the House had his individual opinion, without
doubt and nothing which could be said would
be likely to change that opinion. Mr.. Moore
said that he had received quite number OF
communications from people in different
portions of the State, and that he had con-
suited with many members of the House. and
the general sentiment seemed TO be
that the change of the election
time from September to Novem-
Der ought to be made very soon. The
September election is very expensive one,
| and the November election is also expensive,
and he thought the two could just as well
be combined. The objection that the weather
is colder in Nov.would not apply because other
States with climate equally rig
orous held their elections in November.
Every State in the Union on presidential
years. with the exception of four,-Maine,
Vermont, Ohio and West Virginia,-now
holds its election in November, and he had
no doubt, if the re ports were to be relied upon,
before 1888 is reached Ohio and West
Virginia will be among those who hold their
| - ha
have two elections, and when the election in
September is nearly evenly balanced, large
corruption fund is drawn into the State, and
the attention of the corrupt politicians from
all over the country is concentrated here, and
the State is kept in turmoil from July to
November, He thought that the change sug-
gested would be a. convenient for the people,
and greatly beneficial to the business inter-
ests of the State. 1t is the politicians who
are in favor of having the law remain as it is,
but the matter is one which should be con-
trolled by the people, and not by the pOliti-
clans.
Mr.. Hale of Portland replied. He hoped
our election times would remain as they are
now. This is not political question; it is
not question of close vote. 1t is plain
business question, what is best for the State
of Maine? This is question which the peo-
pie cannot pass upon until this House has
passed upon it, and given its judgment as to
what is best. The proposition that we should
have but one election seems plausible at first,
but the election time comes now when the
having season is over, and it is more or less
a vacation time in the State. and the people
can more conveniently attend than later in
the season.
Mr.. Hale said that our great out of door
meetings wonld be utterly impracticable and
impossible so late in the season az Novem-
Der, and said that, until the frosts of fall
could be repealed, he was in favor of keep
ing the times of holding the elections where
they now are.
Mr. Cousens of Kennebunkport advocated
the substitution of the minority for the ma
jority report.
After some further discussion, on motion of
Mr.. Moore of Thomaston the yeas and nays
were ordered upon the question of substtu-
ton of the minority for the majority report,
resulting in the negative, as follows:
| YEA.Messrs. Anes. Bartlett Of ,lontville. Bar
ton OF Naples, Blackwell, Case, Cobb, Coffin OF Ad-
Elliot, Cote. Cousens, Cyr. Duncan, Dunn. Dyer of
Foxcroft. Edmands. Eugey. Gagnon. Gushee, Ham
ard, Kaler. Kellock. Knowiton. Lewis Of North
Haven, Msttocks, McGillicuddy, Moore OF Gardiner,
Moore of Thomaston, Morrill,. Nelson. Kicker. Rob.
Walker Of Lewiston. " alton. Warren Of Machas'
port, Webb, Woodbury.. Wyman so.
ss,r Barton Goan OF %nSsO
ham. Dyer Of Baldwin, Elliot, Emery. Field. Fogg.
Hale. Ham, Hamblet, Haney, Harding. Hill of
Auburn. Hill of Lyman, Hobart, Houghton. Hussey,
Jones joy Junkns kiddey L.1caster Lewis Of
Noble, Nutting, Cakes, Packard, Palmer, Parsons,
Patten, Pendleton. Phair. Phlbrook, Powers. Pres.
colt, Racklif, Richie, Rodick. Smith, Spear,
| SDraRue Springer. StaDlpa. Stparns.
] ings, Sweetland, Thayer, Tinkham, Titcomb, Walk.
| er of Peru, White. WhitmarSh. Woodman.-7.
On motion of Mr.. Hale, the report of the
! Committee was accepted
On motion of MIR. Cross of Bridgton, voted
that when the Hause adjourn, it be to meet
at 2 80 p. NJ.
On motion of Mr.. Hale of Portland, House
document No. 148, an act to establish the
Maine Reformatory Institution for Women,
was taken from the table, and Tuesday of
next week assigned for its consideration
On motion of MIR. Dickey of Fl. Kent, ad-
journed until 2 80 p. M
| AFTERNOON.
On motion of Mr.. Gilbert of Canton,
House document No, l46, an act regulating
the inspection of steam boilers and the licens
ing of engineers, taken from the table
and Tuesday next assigned for its considera-
| ton.
Senate document No. 81, resolve relating
to sea shore fisheries and shell ish. came up
by special assignment, pending its third read
ing, and was passed to be engrossed.
| House document No. l62. an act to amend
the revised statutes, tabled pending an amend
ment, came up by special assignment. The
amendment was Withdrawn, and the bill had
its three several readings and was passed to
be engrossed under a suspension of the rules
on motion of Mr.. Gilbert of Canton.
! Bill an act to incorporate the Chain of
Ponds Improvement Co., came up by spe-
cial assignment, pending the acceptance of
amendments A. and B The bill was again
laid on the table and Tuesday next was as
signed for its consideration on motion of Mr..
Sprague of Monson.
Subsequently the vote was reconsidered,
and the bill was specially assigned for Sat
urdsy morning.
Senate document No. &c. an act in relation
to the election of selectmen, was indefinitely
postponed in concurrence with the Senate, on
motion of Mr.. Comins of Eddington.
| House document No. l04, an act relating