Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-04


delegation. / hope 4, will be referred
to the judiciary committee.
Mr.. BURNS Of Westbrook: ! heartily
concur with the sentiments expressed
by the last gentleman, who spoke. ana
hope the bill will be referred 70 tne
judiciary committee.
Mr.. Hopkins: Inasmuch as the cum
berland county delegation seems 20 De
afraid of tackling this momentous
question. l will amend my former mo-
ton and move that the bill pc referred
to the committee on temperance. II
seems to me that that is where this Dill
ought to go. If 1t should 60 to q gem
eral committee. s.g.s,t .,.5s,
Mr.. LEAVITT: This is not a matter
for the temperance committee at all.
On the other hand, this is thing that
they want to avoid. This applies di-
reCtly to the enforcement OF the liquor
law. ] don't understand that 1t Is any
part of the duty of the committee on
temperance to take into consideration
any such q measure as that! The tenn
perance committee, as it has been made
up in the past. has had very little to do
with legislation on this matter: and as
the gentleman from Portland (Mr. Mel
cher) says, this Is too faf-reaching and
too serious in it's results to be triffied
with. don't think the gentleman from
Deering (Mr. Hopkins) can be serious
in his motion to refer this thing to any
other than the committee on the judi
ciary.
Mr. WALKER of Starks: l trust the
motion to refer this to the judiciary
committee will prevail 1t is a question
involving principles of law. and the
legal ability of the temperance com
mittee cannot possibly be compared
with the ability of the judiciary com
mittee.
Mr.. MERRILL of Skowhegan: This
bill provides for a law to be enacted to
have effect in all of the counties of this
state alike with the exception of the
county of Cumberland. And there is a
peculiar provision in this BILL providing
that The sheriff of Cumberland county
shall appoint and designate two suit
able persons to serve during his official
term as special liquor deputies. and
with the advice and consent of the
county commissioners as many addi-
tional to act under this section as in
his judgment may be required for the
enforcement Of the prohibitory law in
Cumberland county"
Now here come very peculiar pro-
vision, Said deputies shall receive n
salary of $500 and in addition thereto.
legal fees in cases where conviction
is secured, as full compensation for ser
vices rendered. but in no case shall fees
be allowed on warrants or libels when
there is no conviction Or the person or
persons therein named"
Now Mr.. Speaker and gentlemen, in
the prosecution Of the liquor law of
this State we all know that great deal
of complaint. and rightfully too, has
been made by the temperance people OF
this State. The execution Of the law
has not been satisfactory even to the
people who are not in favor OF the
spirit of the law. And what does this
provide for? 1t provides for salaried Of
ficers. and further provides for officers
who. If they can effect a conviction.
shall receive pay for it, If there is no
conviction. then they are to receive
nothing. l want to call the attention of
the House to this idea, whether you en-
poet more honest enforcement Of the
liquor law when mans pay depends
on whether or not he will convict a
man? Gentlemen, that Is very danger
Gus legislation. hope you will con-
slider it well. and refer it to the Judi
ciary committee.
The question being on the amend
ment that the bill be referred to the
committee on temperance,
The amendment was lost.
Mr.. HOPKINS: l move that this bill
be referred to the committee on legal
affairs.
Mr.. LEAVITT: l object to that mo-
ton for the reason that the committee
on legal affairs have had. this question
before them in a different FORM as to
the enforcement of the liquor law. and
have already reported to this House
adversely upon it; and while no pref
udice may exist in their minds think
that this is a matter that involves SO
great a question that it ought to go to
a committee that at least have not al
ready passed upon it at this session.
For that reason hope the amendment
will not prevail.
Mr.. WALKER: The gentleman from
Deering don't seem to know where he
wants this to go. He has moved to re-
fer it to the Cumberland county dele
gation. then he wanted 1t to go to the
committee on temperance. then to the
committee on legal affairs and / don't
know what next.
Mr.. HOPKINS: I withdraw the
amendment.
The question being to refer the bin
to the committee on the judiciary.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr.. Virgin of Portland, moved TO
take from the table an act to CONSOLE
date. simplify. revise. end amend the
laws pertaining to inland fisheries and
game. as contained in Chapters 30 and
40 of the Revised Statut IS, and in
amendments and additions thereto.
and to repeal old and obsolete private
and specials laws pertaining to fishing
in the public waters Of the State.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr.. Virgin offered House amend
hlent G which was adopted The bin
was read the third time and passed to
be engrossed as. amended by. House
amendments A and c.
On motion Of Mr.. Hopkins of Deering
bill an act to create lien upon hay
for the cutting and pressing thereof
was taken from the table.