Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-02

Noears Gates Of VassalborO, Dickey OF
Eort Kent. Howe of Milo, and Gilbert OF
Canton. the question was put before tine
House. which was the amendment offered
Inv Mr. Gilbert of Canton to strike out IN
the 9th line the word thirty and insert
the words twenty seven"
The amendment was adopted, and on mo-
tion of Mr.. Gilbert the bill receive its third
reading and was passed to be engrosseo-
Resolve appropriating $1,000 for certain
E,,,,rnoses at the Madawaska training
school at Fort Kent.
Mr.. Plummcr moved that the resolve
I be passed to be engrossed.
Mr.. Gilbert Of Canton moved that the
Z vote be taken by rising vote.
~ A division being had, the resolve was
passed to be engrossed by vote OF Az
affirmative to negative.
In Committee Of the Whole.
Mr.. Fairbanks Of Bangor in the chair
The special assignment was the con-
alteration of the communication from the
Governor.
Mr.. Plummer of Dexter said he thought
It was better for each member of the House
to read. digest and ponder upon that doctl-
ment than to thus early express himself
upon it in this public manner, and he
moved that the committee now rise ana
report.
Mr.. Powers said that perhaps some
woilld like to express themselves in regard
to the message and that he himself would
like to say a word. / do not desire to
question what anyone may do in voting
anv appropriation, / do not desire to
question the action Of any committee or
Of any delegation from any county. do
not apprehend that there has been dollar
voted for any purpose but what would be
and what may be a good purpose. But
we are not only to consider that this
might be well and beneflcially expended,
but also to consider where our money
comes from, and take both things into
consideration when we make an appropr1a-
tion. When you elected me to that chair,
I stated that l hoped this House would
not feel itself obliged to increase the salary
Of any office now in existence. The
House. so far as State officers are con-
cerned, has kept very close to this line
But there are bills pending to increase
the salaries of State officers which think
NAV well be considered. l refer to the
various county attorneys whose salaries
are sought to be increased. There is a
general belief that the office of county
attorney is county Office, that it is paid
ont of the county treasury. That Is not
so. The Office of county attorney Is
State office. There has grown up Gus
tom, whenever the question arises OF in
creasing the salary of a county attorney,
for the county attorney to come here and
sec all the members of his delegation, and
that delegation of course are willing tt
help a friend, and they get in a bill here
which should go to the finance commit
tee and which, il anyone objected would
have to go there; and they leave it to the
delegation and the delegation always in
creases. There are two of those bills
pending. have nothing to say against
the gentlemen who want their salaries in
creased. There is one bill reported from
tho Androscoggin county delegation, tt
raise the salary of the county attorney
from $500 TO $780, There is one from the
Waldo county delegation. How many
more are to come, don't know. 1t may
bc said that there is vastly more crime II
Androscoggin than in other counties.
do not believe that The present county
attorney of Androscoggin had occupied
his Office about 80 days when he came herr
and asked to have his salary increased
Tho great majority of county attorneys
are not receiving salaries in proportion
to this proposed increase in Androscog
gin. think it would be n very propel
thing to refer these matters of increase o
salaries to the finance committee ant
have a fair hearing and have them put OF
an equitable basis. / only say this tina
may again impress ON this House m.
desire, at least, that we do not increas
salaries. I want the House to under
stand that the salary of a county attorne.
is a salary out of the State treasury; tina
any bill increasing such a salary ought t
go to the finance committees that it cal
only 60 to county delegation by unani
NOUS consent. If the House thinks |
best to increase any of these salaries, al
right. hope, however, that we do no
raise the salary of any State officer thi
year. As to the various county officers
that is matter peculiar to the severa
counties. i am not questioning their rigb
or Judgment. simply hope in every az
preparation, while we shall appropriate
fearlessly wherever 1t is necessary, Will
we shall do everything necessary to car
for the sick and unfortunate, yet let u
remember that 1t never has been the polio
Of the State of Maine to make the salarie
of the State officers great. The office c
county attorney is a desirable one for a
enterprising young lawyer, it gives hin
standing in court, it gives him reputa
ton, gives him name and brings hii
business 1t is there that he gets his con
pensation more than anywhere else (AI
plause.)
Mr.. Hooper of Castine said that yestel
day when this message was presented
extended a vote of thanks to the Govel
nor. Now heartily second the motto
of Mr.. Plummer and that we re-indorse q
q whole that message by rising vote.
Mr.. Mccullough of Calais said that b
thought the members could best sho,
their appreciation Of this message by the
acts and not by their discussion.
Mr.. Miles Of Lisbon said that /
thought this was a meeting where ever
one has right certainly to speak, If NJ
duty. and put ourselves right. il
dorse the message of the Governor hear
lily. think we should be more caref,