Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-02-06

provision, itvas that this method Of appoint
Ing chairman Of this board vas provided.
II il desired - far - posslhle. % take the
makine.up Of the check list out Of the pfsj-
utice Of those who cit on their own elec-
ton and say Who shall 70 on the check list
and who, in many cAses, vote for them
selvss. One Of the first provisions Of this
bill 10 that no man Who occupies Q position
under THE bill shall hold any municipal
otiice.s Nov the question arises: whore
shall the balance Of power be given. Nis
said this bill cAlls the Governor to inter
fere with municipal elections. cay vs
have other elecsiocs in the
State heside municipal elections.
We elect representatives to the Legislature
county officers. electors for President and
Vice President. These check lists are
made up in all towns and cities, ~ much
for those elections as for municipal cleo.
tons, and why should not some power rep.
resenting the State, in its broad sense, have
something to do With these checklists in
our large cities. You notice by the pfovis
sions Of this bill that the chairmcn shall not
vote except in case Of tie. The man who
ats ~ chairman has authority to issue sub
poem A. for witnesses to appear before
this board; and il 10 intended that
they shall be men Of high character
and understanding in regard to our election
laws. Win You not get q better. fAirer.
minded man. If he receives his appoint.
ment and 10 commissioned BY the Governor
of this State, than II the board 10 made up
BY some inferior appointing power. Will
he not be fairer man than though picked
up in cities where nothing but personal and
party strife predominate. You have two
men elected from city committees on each
side, who represent two contending ole
ments. l claim that these men, - they
meet each other, do not care how pasti san
they are, meeting With the avowed purpose
Of helping their party, will be compelled to
recognize the fac, that they have
got to do pretty nearly the fair
thing. and recognize their responsibility and
that they mast agree. no matter how
partisan. They cit facing each other. !
say that you elevate the character Of the
board when You place such . responsibility
on two men alone; and when these men
cannot agree you place the responsibility on
the third man and that man has 10 stand
the whole people Of the city,
to be criticised for his acts.
Mr.. Rogers--If the city 10 Democratic
and the Governor Republican he will ap
point Republican. II the city is Repub-
lican the Governor Democratic he will
probably appoint Democrat.
Mr.. Haines--That may be. That is a
condition am not afraid to meet. rather
by far have a Democratic Governor of this
State sppoint majority member of a re-
turning board Of this character than to
have five, seven or nine aldermen who are
sitting in the first instance As judges ap-
point their reelection. l deny that | sm
guilty Of partissnship. l say it is a fac,
that out of the fifteen cities of the State,
but three are Democratic. say it is Jus,
az unfair to the city Of Augusta with u
solid Republican board Of aldermen to at
and revise their lists. ~ that majority
Democratic board in Biddeford should
revise their lists. The purposes OF this bill
met with the greatest opposition two years
ago from the Republican cities Of the
State. cay the very fact that gen
tlemen come up here and oppose this bill,
because it interferes with political regimes.
In different cities 10 an argument in favor
clarss for an honest aud fair check list in
honest check list. No system Of ballot re-
form would be complete until started in
this way. Ifyou go into some of the cities
Of Maine you will find the most pernicious
practice in making up of check lists 10 be
found in this country. do not care to go
into them. You know about 1t. In politi-
cal times our papers are full of il. ask
is there no need of . board of registra.
ton; no need to begin at the fundameDtsl
principles Of this matter? This bill
may not be approved. In two years
you may see chance to amend
it. Did you ever know new measure
to 20 through here to be made perfect the
FIRST time. We have tried the bill once be.
fore, smended II In accordance with al
reasonable suggestion. II in two years &
10 not per feet and good law. and one sat
isfactofy to the people Of Maine, It will b,
their duty to amend 1t again. Such ex
perience educAtes. From all the propo,i.
tions which have been made concerning
this measure all that has been thought
wise has been adopted and the bill stsnd'
today better than any other scheme pro
posed,-better upon its fairness and justtc,
to cities. whether Republican or Democrat
ic. In substance this 10 why this board II
dignitied by one member appointed by ths
Governor of Maine.
Mr.. Walton--I simply want to sugses,
that the very fact that my brother has beer
obliged to stand up here and argue III,
merits of this bill in order to enlighter
the members Of the Senate. shows undue
haste, and it seems to me improper under
the circumstances, and when the vote i
taken move 1t be taken by yeas and nays
The question being put and ayea ant
nay vote being taken, the motion that th'
bill pass to its second reading under sur
pension Of the rules, was lost.
On motion by Mr.. Moore Of Cumberland
Adjourned.