The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-03-02
Especial to the Press. }

Especial to the Press.)
Augusta, March 1.-Economy was the
watchwora today. In the Senate it began
with an attack on the resolve for the expen-
diture of $3.50 for the purchase of Free
mans Supplement to the Revised Statutes,
and the opponents finally mustered strength
enough to defeat for the time being at
least, the passage of the resolve. The de-
bate was enlirened by passage at arms be-
tween Senators Higgins and Hume. and the
application of the Reed rules.
The resolve was called up and Mr. Savage
spoke in support of it. He explained the
nature of the work and said that il was be-
lieved that its publication would postpone
the revision of the statutes for the next
three legislatures MI. Savage showed that
the 1900 copies provided for were niece ssary
to meet the wants OF the state.
Senator Marston of Somerset said that
here was an appropriation which, in the
face and eyes of the recent message of our
worthy governor, called for S750O for pur-
pose which no man could deny was class
legislation. Mr.. Marston thought that the
revision of the statutes should have. been
taken up this year. A prominent lawyer
had4recently presented to Mr.. Marston re-
solve providing a means to mako the
statutes clear which lawyers had told Mr..
Marston they preferred to Freeman sSupple-
mont That resolve was referred to the
Judiciary committee. The index for which
it provided would not have cost one-hun-
dredth part of the expense of Freeman's
Supplement. The committee asked Mr..
Marston what this resolve was for. and he
tola them. it was to take the place of the
supplenent.aT The conn. ittee thAn reported
adversely. Mr.. Marston did not want to
critieise the committee They acted, he be-
lieyed, as they thought best. but he wanted
TO go on record as opposing. this expendir
ture. Mr. Marston thenSoffered an amend
ment reducing the amount carried by tile
resolve from $500 to $500. and the number
Of volumes from 1900 to 1860. sE9
Senator Hume reported The amendment.
I He said that it was lime that this reckless
ness in the expenditures of money should
cease. Some time ago a Portland publish
ing concern had Sc, eral hundred copies of
the Revised Statl on hand which they
succeeded in unloading onto the state, SO
that onsthe desk of every Senator was a
copy Of the Revised Statutes, which was
rarely opened. The Governor had time and
again called attention to the expenditures,
and it was time to stop this gratifying of
personal friends in carrying out their own
ends, although Mr.. Hume knew how hard it
LMas 10 resist. tS
Senator Higgins said it was delightful to
| him 10 Eear ar ex-hook agent denounce other
publishing Offices. NaughterD 1t was a
| p1ensure 10 know that the gentleman had
| be coine SO economical since he was pro-
NOTED from the position of hook agent to
membership in the Maine Senate.
Senator Hume-What has become Of the
dictionary given my friend, the Senator.
.Laughter.j
Senator 1iiggins--I would say that my
town, is the only one in the state in which
the SENATOR from Washington has not dis
tributed dictionaries 10 aid in the sale OF
his school books. (Laughter.) There are
other ideas of economy than those on
Itainedsin the set speeches with8 which the
Senator has favored us. & Wy ~
Nj. Higgins ma intained that true economy
favored the purchase of the supplement as
provided insthe original resolve. asss3a
Mr.. Hume explained that be had not aob
jected to the resolve, but did favor the
amendment as he thought that its adoption
tiwould save tAesstatc SIEGE
Al Z - + = i
Senator Shaw thought if the resolve was
passed at all, it should be in the Original
| form, but he did MOI believe in it. 1t would
undoubtedly be of convenience to lawyers,
| but il would not have the force of law, and
| to prove his law in court an attorney must
| be provided with copies of the acts and re-
| solves.
Senator Hovey was of the opinion that il
the cutting down..of the, number of copies
was to deprive the plantations of the state
of copies, he did not favor it as he thought
in the plantations and small towns the
books would be received with greater ap-
probation than in the larger towns.
| The question coming on the amendmen
| it was defeated to IL. The resolve was
then before the Senate on its passage to- be
| engr ossed, and here the Reed rules were
applied by President Soldiers. The vote on
the passage of the resolve wa announced
as eight yes and nine no, and the passage
was consequently refused; but Senator
Savage had left the room under the impress
sion that the battle was over. He would, OF
course, have voted for the resolve. Mr.. Hig-
gius brought this matter to the attention of
the Senate, and moved that the vote be re-
cons i'd cred.
PRESIDENT SeluerS asked IL the Senator had
voted with tho majority and, as Mr.. Higgins
said he had, Mr.. Seiders announced that his
motion to reconsider could not be enter
tanned.
/ Senator Savage inquired if this point
could be raised where yea and nay vote
was not taken.
President Soldiers said that in such cases,
! under Reeds rules, the presiding officer was
| authorized to ascertain by inquiry. Several
| Senators began reading Reeds rules.
Senator Savage then stated that he was
not i'll his place and did not vote. He moved
that the vote be reconsidered.
| Senator Shaw made point of order
/ against the motion and it was sustained.
i Then Senator Higgins asked if the MAORI
4 ty intened to keep a slight advantage by
| such methods as these.
\ Senator Hume promptly moved that The
/ vote be reconsidered and the resolve as
signed for next Wednesday. 1t was so voted.
THE AROOSTOOK WAR.
| Major General Keegan conducted a Skin
mish in the Aroostook war this morning. It
was on the question Of the assignment OF
|