Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-17

ton county, was taken up, the question Deihg
on passing the measure to be engrossed.
Mr.. Lebroke inquired for information con-
corning the resolve.
Mr.. Marble explained that he had investi-
gated, and that appropriation is for State
road over which there is much travel, and
which is now in a very bad state of repair.
Mr.. Parkhurst said the resolve provided
that the money should be expended under
the direction of the Governor and Council,
but he thought the County Commissioners of
Washington, being near the road, would be
better prepared to discharge the duty. and he
would move to amend the resolve in this par
ticular.
Mr.. Marble said that heretofore the money
had been expended by the County Commits
sioners, but it was now thought that it could
be better done as provided in the resolve.
On motion of Mr.. Parkhurst, the resolve
was laid on the table until Tomorrow.
On motion of Mr.. Allen, bill an act to fix
the salaries of the Judge and Register of
Probate for Knox county was taken from the
table, the question being on passing the re-
| solve to be engrossed.
Mr.. Weeks inquired for the reasons why
the resolve should pass.
Mr.. Allen explained. He said he had the
resolve laid on the table anticipating that
some other disposition would be made of the
salaries of county officers. under the order
for a special committee. In looking over the
matter he found Knox the seventh county in
the State in Importance, vet her county Off
GERS were receiving much smaller salaries
than those of counties of less size. He had
| voted against an increase in his delegation,
but was satisfied he was wrong. He quoted
the salaries of other county officials to show
that the salaries to Knox are inadequate.
MIR. Parkhurst did not like to interfere
with the matter of county salaries outside of
his own county, but Aroostook had been
quoted, and he wanted to say that the probate
court there is held in different portions of
that section. making it much more expensive
| for the officers on that account Petitions for
increase in salaries had come from nearly
every county in the State, but an effort was
being made against granting them. He did
not believe general increase necessary, al
though there might be some cases to which
he would not object when fully explained.
When he was satisfied that an increase was
necessary he should vote for it without fear
of any political effect it might have. 1here
was soon to be vacancy 10 the Ar0ostook
Board of County Commissioners, and there
| were more than twenty men in the county
ready to take the vacant place at the present
compensation of 50 so per day and travel
SO it would be with all the county officers.
| There would be enough who were fully com
petent to fill vacancies at the present salaries.
| Mr.. Lebroke was little surprised at the
course of the Senator from Aroostook. The
salaries of officers of that county had been
given pretty good boost two wears ago. but
he Mr.. Lebroke had not heard any very
great opposition on the part of that gentleman,
The County Commissioners of Piscataquis
had but 50 per day, and their travel
| ing was as difficult as that in Aroostook. A
bill was now pending to make it $3.50. He
referred to the salary of the County At
torney in his county, of 500 per year. and
| spoke of the increase in the duties of that
official in consequence of the game and fish
laws. He was in favor of adjusting the sal
aries of county officials and making them
what they ought to be. When the oppo-
sition came into power they cut the sal.
aries down to starvation prices. Succeeding
legislatures should have had the courage to
put them back where they were before. But
that was not done through timidity. He had
no fear, in political point of view, of votir. g
upon these matters as his judgment dictated.
He spoke of the Importance of having a COM
petent man for Judge of Probate, and of the
vast interests dealt with by that official. He
did not know about the Knox matter, but if
! that county delegation had unanimously re-
ported in favor of the bill. he
should vote for it because he deemed
them more competent to decide than he
| Mr.. Allen said the delegation had before
them MANY petitions for the increase, and af-
ter thorough examination, voted to report the
resolve now under discussion
Mr. Nickerson said his county delegation
had had before them petitions for increase OF
the salaries of the Judge and Register of
| Probate Of Waldo. which has about the same
population as Knox, and after mature delibrr-
alton it was decided to allow the compensa-
ton to remain as at present Taking this
view of the case he should vote against the
resolve.
| On motion Of Mr.. Young. a yea and nay
vote was taken on passing the resolve, re-
sulting in the negative, as follows:
| YEA-Messrs. Allen, Austin, Cutler, Hume, Kim
ball, Lebroke, Libbey. Lnmbert, Wilson's.
NAY-Messrs. Cole, Heath, Marble McAllister
Mears, NickersOn, Parkhurst Roak, Wescott, Young
10.
message was received from the House
| requesting the return to that body of bill an
act to regulate the erection of posts and lines
for purposes of electricity. The vote &C
| cepting the report of the committee was re-
considered, and the papers were returned to
the House.
On motion of Mr.. Mears,
Adjourned.