Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-14

opposition that he had ever heard
to this bill had Just been uttered bv the
gentleman from Wiscasset Mr. Tucker
This was not matter of sentiment entirely
with the committee, but the committee had
felt that it would rebound to the benefit of
the State in variety of wavs to have the
National Encampment of the Grand Army held
in our midst. 1t has been the custom, or rather
there is the precedent of the legislature hav-
ing appropriated money for the building of
monuments for charities. for works of art
and things of that kind, and it had seemed to
the committee that this matter came, perhaps,
in the same general wav. When the Grand
Army held its encampment in the State of
Colorado two years ago, that State appro-
prated 1922 900 to assist them. Perhaps that
had Influenced this committee in some de-
gree. He understood that this money was to
be used to provide tents, bedding and such
things as would be required by so large a
body of men as would be expected This,
briefly, is the position of the committee, and
he hoped the House would sustain it
Mr.. Tucker replied briefly. 1t has been
said there was a large number of petitions
There were none from his locality to his
knowl ledge. 1t is true there have been no
remonstrances presented but it must be re-
me mbered who is to bear the burden of ex-
travagant legislation.
Mr.. Dickey of Fort Kent, said that he did
not suppose there was to he any discussion
upon this bill He remembered WELL and
many members Of this House must remem
Der we'll. the hard times our boys had during
the war: it was felt throughout the nation :
every heart beat in response to their suffer-
ing, and now this bill simply asks that these
| -, H.,
and good time, and as one member of the
legislature of this State, he would say let
them have it. Applause.
Mr.. Dunn of Amity said that he did not
propose to make Speech but he fully en-
dorsed the sentiment expressed in the Port
land Advertiser that this appropriation is for
large sum, but the occasion is extraordinary
and will never arise again. All agree that
hospitality to the veterans of the war must
not be mean or stinted. The tax payers
would prefer economy in some other direction
Mr.. Mattocks of Portland, said that if this
was a resolve for which, as the gentleman
from Wiscasset Mr. Tucker has said, there
is no precedent, it behooves US to examine
well into its merits to see whether it be
founded upon reason. or whether it il really
antagonistic to the best interests of the State
and proper regard for an economical ad-
State of Maine had, during the war, furnished
nearly 20, 900 of soldiers and sailors. 8 900 of
whom died before the end of the war. and
more than 6,000 of whom were discharged for
disabilities incurred in the service. The total
quota furnished by Maine exceeded the larg-
est majority vote of any political campaign
prior to the CLOSE of the war.
Mr. Mattotks said that the Grand Army of
the Republic was an organization which was
the natural outgrowth of the frie ndships and
associations of the war. 1t has. as one of its
chief objects. the extending of the hand of
charity to suffering soldiers and their widows
and orphans. The various post organizations.
throughout the United States, have disbursed
for charitable purposes alone more than
100000. The posts in this State have,
within the past nine years, expended more
than S20.00 for the charitable purposes such
as he had mentioned, In reply to the claim
of the gentleman from Wiscasset, Mr..
Tucker that the taxpayers Of Maine would
raise an cutlery at this appropriation,
he would say that he had not heard
one dissenting voice, and that he was
authorized. in behalf of the men who asked
for the appropriation, to say that, if even a
respectable minority of the representatives
of the people should object to it, it would be
gladly withdrawn. He further stated that al
years ago, and there had been during all this
long period so many returned soldiers in the
State, this Is the first time they have ever
asked a dollar from the State of Maine
| Mr.. Mattocks SAID that in all countries and
in all ages, liberal sums have been appropri-
ated for works of art to perpetuate the men,
cries of those who had done faithful militia
ry service for their country. The capital at
Washington is adorned by painting. and statu-
airy, contributed by nearly every State in the
Union for the purpose. oftentimes of perpetu
ating the memory of statesmen and soldiers.
Even Maine, with her conservative policy,
has voted liberal contributions towards the
! erection of monuments upon the battelfields
| of Antietam and Gettysburg.
Mr.. Mattocks said that he could not believe
that the gentleman from Wiscasset Mr..
Tucker had constituents who would object
upon the ground of expense to this small out
lay, but if such were the case, both the gen.
| sleman and his constituents, were entitled to
the sympathy of this legislature. He declared
that if the picture of Wiscasset. as drawn by
| its able representative is correct, it would
destroy the pleasant illusion which he had
always had as to the generous and patriotic
| impulses of the residents of that section. He
did not believe that the most conservative of
our tax payers could object to an appropria-
ton for this purpose, which calls for taxa
ton of only little more than half a dime for
each taxable poll in the State.
| Mr. Mattocks said that he would not at
tempt to refer in detail to the exploits per-
formed on sea and land by the sailors and
soldiers sent out by the State of Maine dur
| ing the war of the rebellion. He referred
briefly to some of the most brilliant achieve
ments performed by the various regiments,
and closed with strong appeal that the
House would, in recognition of the noble
services rendered by these men, grant them
this paltry sum for which they now ask.
| [Applause.
The resolve was then passed to be en-
crossed.
On motion of Mr.. Richie of Winterport,
Adjourned
PETITIONS, BILLS, ETC.. PRESENTED AND Re-
FERRED.
! By Mr.. Staples of Cape Elizabeth-Peti-
ton of J. S. Winslow and IL others for an
act to enable the Chaplin Ice Co. to dam
Long Greek in Cape Elizabeth; also petition