The Portland daily press., 1893-03-30
Especial to the Press.l

in store for the friends of the resolve to
submit to the people constitutional
amendment toIprohibit the diversion OF
public school funds to sectarian uses.
They anticipated that it would pass the
House, but did not know how few in
number their opponents were. Only u
members voted against the resolve, while
90 voted for it. The resolve providing
for the submission to the people of re-
solve for constitutional amendment
prohibiting the diversion of public funds
to the use of sectarian institutions, came
up on it's passage to be enacted in the
House this morning, and the debate on it
was promptly begun by Mr.. Scott of Pat
ten. with motion to indefinitely post
pone. Mr.. Scott wanted to know why an
important measure of this kind had been
introduced at this late hour.
Mr.. Higgins of Limerick maintained
that the resolve represented matter on
which gentlemen must have made up
their minds. 1t was not political ques-
ton. Hon. S. G. Strout of Portland, one
of the leading Democrats of the state,
was a petitioner in it's favor. Mr.. Hig-
least 90 to vote and not be summarily
disposed of as the gentleman from Pat
ten would have it.
Mr.. Belleau of Lewiston read long
speech in opp sition to the resolve which
he argued, was an attack on the policy of
the state for the last 10 years. He said
that the movement originated with So
ciety largely endowed for the pur-
pose. and that it's advo-
Gates were largely paid attorneys
Mr. Emerson of Portland said that in
view of the fact that several thousand
people of the state had petitioned for
the submission OF this resolve to the
people, he thought the people could be
trusted and if they wanted to act on this
matter it was the duty of the legislature
to submit it to them.
Mr.. Higgins of Limerick added that
the gentleman from Lewiston who HAD
lust read carefully prepared speech
seemed to be afraid to trust the people
who had elected him to the legislature.
Mr.. Scott of Patten spoke again against
| the resolve. He said that while he OBJ
iected to the resolve because it had been
presented at such late day, he also OBJ
iected to the principle involved in it. He
was glad that this was not political
question and glad to find for once in the
session the gentleman from Limerick
approaching a question in non-partizan
spirit The gentleman from Portland
| spoke of petitions, ibut petitions it was
well known were easily secured. Mr..
Scott did not believe in submitting to
the people every petty question which
came up.
| Mr.. Woodbury. of Deering, spoke earn
estly for the resolve. He did not regard
.1t, I,oI hon
| considered of sufficient Importance to
receive the support of justices of the
supreme court of the state. AS to the
effect of the resolve ON particular de-
nominations, Mr.. Woodbury. said that he
| was a member of the denomination
which had probably received the great
est share of the bounty of the state be-
| cause it was here when the system of
| aid to educational institutions was first
established. Mr.. Woodbury. commend
ed the cause of Westbrook Seminary, a
| denominationel school which had re-
fused to ask for state aid.
| Mr.. Scott withdrew his motion to in
definitely postpone and the vote was
| taken by yeas and nays, resulting in the
passage of the resolve by an overwhelm-
| ing vote, 90 to ~. Those who voted yes
were:
Yeas-Messrs. Abbott Of Bucksport, Abbott
| of Hollis, Adams, Aver Bean, Bird, Bonser,
| Boothby, Bowman, Bradbury, Brewer, Buck,
| Cahill, Carlton Of Roekpor. Carleton of Winter
port, Clark. Coffin, Cook Cornish, Day, Drake Ta,e
! banks, Farrand. Ferguson, Fogerty, FoWles,
| French, Fuller, Gates, Getchell, Cover, Ham
lin, Haskell, Higgins, Hinkley, Hoyt. Johnson.
renee. Libby Of Pittston, Libby Of sanford,
Light Littlefield of Poland, Littiefield of Pros
pect, Lothrop. Maddoeks,, Marston. Matthews,
Merrill OF Eddington, Mitchell, Morrill, of Gray.
| Morrill, of Portland, Mudgett, Murch, Noyes,
| Parker, Penney, Pinkham,. Poor, Pratt, Preble,
Sawyer Of Portland, Shaw Of Bath, shaw
of Portland, Smith of Portland, Sprague,
| Stickney, Sylvester. True. Twitchel!. Webster,
Weeks of Old Town, Weseott. Woodbury., York
| Nays-Messrs. Beedle, Belleau. Body.
Bracket. .Garcelon, Cakes, Powers of Houlton,
| Powers of NOrridgeWOck. PuringtOn, Scott,
| Spillane, Weeks of Fairheld-12.
The resolve came up in the Senate aud
| did not fare so well as it did in the
House, being defeated by vote of IL to
| II. after one of the most animated de-
| bates of the session.
| Senator Seiders was it's chief sup
porter and spoke ably for the measure.
| He referred to the demand made for the
passage of the resolve by large numbers
| of the people of the state and argued
| that if sectarian schools were to be aided
at all all should be Systematically helped.
| He believed that the true solution of the
problem lay in the amendment of the
constitution as provided by the resolve.
Senator Libby opposed the resolve, ar
guing that it's passage would end the ex-
istence of academies, which had done
and were now doing noble work for the
youth of the state. He said that people
living in cities did not understand the
part played at the country academy in
the training of young men and women,
who did not enjoy the facilities afforded
the young people of the cities by the free
high schools.
Senator Seiders spoke in reply. For
one section of the state he knew that he
could speak with accuracy in saying that
the people wanted this measure. He re-
ferred to the city of Portland and he be-
lieved that if this matter went to vote
the change proposed in the constitution
would be found dear to the hearts of the
people.
At this point, President Spear called
Senator Spofford to the chair and taking
the floor made a vigorous speech against
the resolve. Mr.. Spear said he felt it to
1870 L.. ~os~ n+. 4r,