The Portland daily press., 1889-03-06

gone 60 the legislature and begged of from
the payment OF the obligation. MIR. Libby
said he disliked to recall these circumstances,
and would not, had not the Senator. The
city of Portland came here with no bond. 1t
came here with the subscriptions in its hand,
guaranteed by men Of Portland who had
hundreds Of thousands behind them. and who,
he would guarantee, would meet their
obligations without hesitation.
Was it declared that the time was inoppor-
tune? Was it not known that this very year
a saving of over $4,000 In the charges OF the
bonded debt had been made; and that the
sum,if not frittered away In unwise appropri
ations, could be applied as long as necessary
to the building of State House without any
additional burden In taxes.
Tie Senator from Kennebec had spoken of
the direct tax as unlikely to be refunded.
This was hardly sound prophecy in view
of the fact that the only hindrance had been
the veto Of Democratic President, who had
now stepped down.
But the gentleman from Augusta had said
that this direct tax fund was sacred. Every
thing seemed to be sacred to the gentleman
from Augusta when the old State House was
under consideration. The funds that would
be required for new Capitol were spoken Of
es sacred at times when the question of re-
moval was agitated. At other times, unfor-
tunately, those funds did not seem to be so
sacred, considering the way In which they
were absorbed in various resolves.
But 1t was objected: you have not heard
from the people. You are not going to dis
turb these old associations, to disturb the
vested rights Of the people Of Augusta. Wait
for the voice of the people," The city Of
Bangor had instructed its representatives to
use all honorable efforts 10 secure the remov-
al Of the Capital to Bangor. and the Penobs-
cot delegation had been requested to use all
their efforts for the same purpose. But for
up for hearing the the representatives from
Bangor did not carry out their instructions.
They admitted that this was not suitable
place for the capital, but did not want 1t
moved until the voice Of the people had been
heard. There was q certain force In this !;
and the committee recommended that the
subject go over to the next legislature. This
was the recommendation of the representa-
tives of Bangor. and of those who represented
Augusta at the hearing. But when the COM
at once turned about. And whereas. they
had once wished to defer everything to the
people, they now wished TO assume the re-
sponsibility Of deciding the matter them
selves. Not only this. But right on the
they bring in. without consulting the people
and without reference to them.
resolve to appropriate large
sum to repair this old State House.
They bring in bill to expend what-S135,-
tlemen, let US apply to this the test applied
by the gentleman from Augusta. IL that
test is true for new building 1t is ten times
true of an old building. Ii the estimates of
the cost of new Capital are to be trebied by
the gentlemen from Augusta, the estimates
Of the cost Of repairing an old building
should certainly be multiplied by six.
What Is the meaning of this position of
the Augusta people In wishing TO settle now
and here the question which they but short
time ago wanted to go TO the people. Is 1t not
because they want to wipe out from the rec
ords of this legislature the generous offer
may not stand for a future legislature; and
pair this building and thereby fix the Capt.
tai at Augusta for all time?
The yeas and nays were taken at the close
of Senator Libby's speech, the question be-
ing upon the substitution of the minority re-
port Recommending legislation inexpedienD
for the majority report Recommending refer
ence to the next legislature) The result
was:
YKAs-Austin Of OF Knox, Burgess Of Knox,
Burrill of Hancock, Clark OF Aroosto0k, Col
Inns OF Ar0ostook, Daggett OF Plscataquis Haines
droscoggm, Holbrook Of Washington, Hunt of
Waldo, Nash OF Washington, Nekels of
Waldo Rand of Oxford, Ryder OF Penobscot.
Sleeper OF Androscoggin, simpson of Pen0bsc0t,
Walton Of Somerset, Wright OF Oxford-19.
NAYS Freeman OF Cumberland, Harding, OF
Cumberland, Hinckleyof Sagadahoc Kendall Of
York Libby of Cumberland, Lord of York Merrill
of Franklin, Poor Of Cumbrrland-S.
Paired Frost Of York, mol, with Sargent Of
Hancock, lYesl.
Senator Libby spoke off hand and without
notes, answering Senator Heath point by
point, and on the merits Of the arguments
had by far the best Of 1t.