Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-02-14

| ''''' 'htiN 10 a SeItIT1tHt
throughout this State that this charter
should be granted this Eastern CO. TO
extend It's lines into the country as
well as into the cities. The necessity
Tor this extension of BUSINESS is felt
throughout our rural sections of the
state. 1t is true that the people locat-
ed in the cities and perhaps well served
by the telephone company that they
| already have. but you will remember
that this is large State and that we
are only beginning this industry, and
hape that the motion of the gentle
man from Bangor (Mr. BeaD will pre-
vail.
Mr.. WALKER of Starks WHY
should | vote against the charter of
the Eastern Telephone Co. so they
may do telephone business anywhere
IN the State Of Maine without any le-
gal liability? 1t is company compos-
cd Of state of Maine men. The capital
!" be invested is State Of Maine cap
itai, the business to be done is bust
ness which State Of Maine people want
Ihey nave already invested in the
state more than $100.0G0 They nave
gwen 10 the county of Knox the best
teIephohe service which there is in any
county IN the state. What is good for
the people OF the county Of Knox is
good Tor the people of any other coun-
" IN the state of Maine Why, then
shouln l vote against this measure? On
one SIDE are the people Of Maine ask
ing Tor better telephone service at low
er rates. On the other side, the Bell
Telephone Co, asking that q perpetual
time be extended for them to enjoy
Inc telephone service of which they
nave practically had MONOPOLY for
the past ~ years. My people are for
THIS measure. The people of the State
the business men. the common people
want better telephone service at lower
rats. Why, then, should ! vote against
giving to the people this service when
nineteen Wentieths of them. as has
been remarked, and | believe that esti-
mate is low. are in favor of it-why
should | vote against helping the peo-
pie Of our common State? (Appla use)
Mr. FOSTER of Oakland: If | knew
nothing about the merits of this ques-
ton, II seems to me that what | have
heard since this discussion began is
enough to enable me to come to a de-
cision. 1t seems to me that the ma ter
reduces itself TO this: Whether or not
this Legislature will urge a monopoly
against healthful competition. ana
that in the line of the necessities of
our modern civilization. 1t seems to
me that is the only question: and /
hope for the adoption Of the minority
report.
Mr.. SCAMNON of Franklin: The
people Of this country make and I'M
ma ,ye Preside n an6
lators and incidentally secretaries of
the board of agriculture. 1t seems to
me that this question ought to receive
widespread discussion. 1t is question
of great moment. 1t is something that
has not, up TO the present time nor
will it today receive that consideration
which ii should. 1t has occurred to me
since coming here this morning, that
there was a very large proportion of
those here who will not vote correctly
on this matter. | do not doubt that
they Will vote honestly and according
TO their ideas of the merits OF the
question. Whatever may be the senti-
ment of others. whatever course 9th
ers may take, il seems to me that there
is but one course for me. 1t Seems to
me that no oratory. however brilliant
no personal argument can prevent a
determined and aroused people from
expressing their sentiments on this
matter: and | have no doubt that when
this matter comes to a vote. this char
ter of the Eastern Telephone Co. will
receive its rights.
Mr.. COOK Of Vassalboro-One more
rural district would like to be heard from
on this question daughter. There Is
no question in my mind as to the result.
when We come To vote on this measure,
but that We will sustain the Eastern Tel
ephone Company. but it is important that
We give large majority that there
should be a vote in favor of that COM
phny of nearly every member in this
House. And | want to warn gentlemen
that when they go back to their constitu-
ents having voted against the extension
of this charter. they will go up against
something that they little thought of be
fore. daughter and applause. This
question is broader than has been argued
here, today. 1t is more than a question
the Eastern Telephone Company-it is
the people against the monopoly That
is the time to cheer. daughter and ap-
ilddStJ MI speaker, you remember III
the last political campaign how the Dem
ocratic party tried to make the most out
Of the trust business. how they acclaimed
throughout the length and breadth of this
country against trusts. and why they did
not prevail was because there was no
reason or sense in ii. the one party was
not more responsible for trusts than the
other; but if you, today, turn down this
Eastern Telephone Company, William j.
Bryan. the next time, will have some
thing TO talk about. daughter and APP
plauseD. We have here against the peopl,.
Of Maine one Of the most powerful ana
eXtortionate monopolies that there is in
this broad land. If | mistake not, the
immortal Blaine caused his telephone to
be torn out because of the extortion Of
the company, not because he minded the
little money involved but because of his
Indignation at their cxtortion And il has
been 50 all the time since that company
has been so all the time since that com
pany has been in the State of Maine
They want you to build their telephoua
lines and then pay them two prices on IN,
END of that, and every young LAWYER or
young physician. or business man who
mas opened fish market or anything OF
that Observation-Disclosures was not the
place to cheer. applause and laughter
Wen. when he opens this fish market thu.