Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-01
ORDERS OF THE DAY.


ORDERS OF THE DAY.
On motion of Mr.. Peaslee of Wiscas-
set the following order was taken from
the table: Ordered. That all matters
relating to salaries. which have been
referred to county delegations, shall
be referred to the committee on sala-
RES. and that all matters pertaining
to salaries which have been heretofore
presented shall be referred to the COM
mite on salaries.
Mr.. PeaSiee moved to amend the Or
der by adding after the word "delega-
tons in the third line. the words "un-
less objected to by the several county
delegations before whom such matters
are now pending
MI King of Caribou moved that the
order with the pending amendment be
laid on the table.
Mr.. Peaslee of Wiscasset. said: l
asked that this order be laid on the
table the other day because my own
county delegation has before it bill
relating to the salary of our register
of probate. AS yet we have not hand
led the matter. We have not decided
what we will report upon it. neither do
we feel that we want to give it up
to the committee on salaries. I find
upon inquiry that other county delega-
lions feel the same. In fact I learn
that other county delegations feel that
they do not want to handle these mat
tiers. They do not want this order as
introduced, January cath, to pass. be-
cause if it does it takes from them the
whole matter. it does not allow them
the privilege of handling their own
county affairs. ] feel the same. and
many of my own county delegation
feel the same. We feel that we wan.
to handle the matters pertaining to our
own county affairs. And we feel that
it is not only our duty but that it
should be our privilege to report on
these matters: and for that reason !
ask that it be amended so that if we
do not object to it, it may go before
the committee on salaries. If we do
object. then we can handle it our
selves.
Mr.. McFadden of Dresden. said: II
am somewhat surprised at the remarks
of the gentleman from Wiscasset (Mr.
Peaslea). He has. no doubt. spoken
His own sentiments: but he has hardly
NoItu Liz Sentiments VI Liz NliolI
Lincoln county delegation. l feel. for
one. that these matters should all go
to the general committee, and my rea-
sons are these: There is hardly a
county delegation in the State that feel
unanimous upon these increases which
are asked for. and yet, perhaps the in
dividual members do not like to an
tagonize the requests of their friends.
and so perhaps will hesitate to exercise
their own honest judgment.
There is another reason: A county
officer comes here this year and asks for
an increase of salary. Perhaps it is a
register of probate. or judge of pro-
bate. His county delegation recon-
mends it and it passes the House and
his salary is increased perhaps to n
high figure. Two years hence like Off
GERS in other counties see that his sal !
AIRY has been raised and conclude that
they can get their raised. and they
come here and. pointing to that exam
pie, pry up their salaries by using that
as a fulcrum. ] say that the general
committee should consider all these
matters. and having before them list
of the counties and of the population |
of the counties and of the valuation Of
the several counties they can adjust |
the matter more equitably and are
ikely to do it more equitably than are
the delegations of the several counties. |
And | think the whole matter ought t. |
be put into the hands of the committee |
which was appointed to consider these
matters. or else we had better dismiss /
that committee and relieve it from
any further consideration of salary
matters.
Mr.. PeaSlee of WiscaSset | wish to !
set myself right before this House and |
with the gentleman from Dresden (Mr |
McFadden. l did not say. or at least |
did not intend to say. what the gen. |
tleman infers | did say What l did !
intend to say, if I did not say it. was
that our delegation had not settled
what it would do. whether it would re-
port or whether it would refer to this ,
committee. and until our delegation i
can settle it | feel that it should not !
be taken from our hands. If I am
not the only one on our delegation that
has got sand enough to stand up and
say that I feel that / can go before my
constituents with report ! feel to
make. then ! think I ought to have a
right to have that settled in my dele
CATION And I don't believe the gem
tleman from Dresden. and | don't be-
lieve a gentleman from Cumberland or
York or any other county has any right
to step into Lincoln county and say
what our officials shall have for sala-
ries | believe we in Lincoln county
know better what our officials should
get than do members of this House
from other counties. and ! think that
gentlemen of this House that belong
in other counties should cease inter
fering with the duties of our counties.
If the delegations have not sand enough
to stand up and do their duty and go
before their constituents, then let US
give it up to some strangers to handle
| ask YOU to vote that our county dete-
ga tion may settle our troubles among
ourselves, and if we cannot. then Will
stand up and say that our county dele
CATION cannot do it and will ask you
TO refer it to the committee on sala-
ries.
Mr.. McFadden Of Dresden; ! don't
question the gentleman's sand bit.
and I hope he does not question any
BODY else's. The Lincoln county dele
CATION has failed to agree, and it looks
l. 80. ,,a1- ua shall not be able to