Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-01
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
~ !
Continued from page 80

rrofit in If or not. but with all this
learn that the present incumbent OF that
office has time to attend to private bus
mess Now in all the arguments by the
sheriff before the delegation there WASH
anvrhing brought forward TO which
could assent until he said the people
were unanimously in favor Of 1t. ! con
fess that | am somewhat prejudiced
AGAINST raising Of salaries, but am will
ing TO waive my own opinion when me
ueople speak Hence | ask delay TO
write to my constituents in order to as
certain their disposition and the gentle
man who took the matter in hand failed
10 find one who was willing il should be
increased. / am confident the selectmen
Of the two towns l represent are opposed.
one eminent county official told me he
was opposed, but for personal friendship
he did not want to commit himself
Another county officer said on general
principles he was opposed, but political
exigency compelled him to keep quiet
oar venerable senator as you nouce mas
signed the minority report. Now 1t seems
To me the fact that the present lncum-
bent has held the office number OF
years at present salary ana mas always
been anxious to be reelected, ought to
have some weight in this House against
the bill. one deputy said IL took some
thing from the salary for campaign fund
hut | believe that every candidate should
furnish his own campaign funds if he
needs the unrighteous mammon to save
himself from defeat. In my opinion merit
should always be considered in our cnoice
n, f,,I tia tiaS no ~,
most interested in the bill are the county
deputies who expect some day to get the
plum They also complain Of the small
compensation they receive, which is Of
course. human nature. | confess that |
know but little about legal matters or
deputy sherifrs work, but | know this,
that between the deputy sheriff and the
lawyers was divided $40 for collecting $l2J
for me and dared not make further in
quries lest they take the balance for ad-
vice. Gentlemen, l offered To refer the
matter To the people of the county. the
ones who pay the bills, but it was re
jected. | hope. gentlemen. you will re
spect the wishes Of the people and ac-
cept this minority report.
Mr.. MADDOCKS of Boothbay
Harbor: Mr.. Speaker. This matter has
been before the delegation nearly the
whole session. We made every at
tempt to compromise with the minority
but have failed. The present salary of
our sheriff is only $3.50. | am willing
to leave ii To the judgment of this
House to say if that is sufficient
salary for our sheriff. The people of
our county are determined that our
high sheriff shall do more business next
year in the way Of suppressing the
liquor traffic. and we do not expect
him to work unless he is paid and we
DO not want to have him make the ex-
cuSe that he cannot do the work be-
cause he is insutficiently paid: and
am willing to leave the matter here.
Mr.. FOSTER of Oakland: Mr.
Speaker. while | realize that this is to
some extent local question in the
county of Lincoln, it seems 10 me that
there is a general interest which the
members of this House and the citizens
Of the State Of Maine feel in this ques-
ton. and that is the movement to put
the county officials on salaries. AS
understand it, this question has been
thoroughly investigated and gone over
by the delegation to which it was re-
ferred, and the majority report has
been presented. 1t seems to me to be
a very unusual proceeding and con-
trary to the better judgment Of all
concerned that the minority report
should be accepted by this House; and
! hope that the motion TO substitute the
minority report will not prevail
The question being on the motion to
substitute the minority report for the
majority report,
The motion was lost.
The majority report was then ac-
cepted and the bill was laid on the
table for printing.
AR Carleton from the Kennebec
county delegation, reported ought to
pass on bill An act to fix the terms
of the superior court in Kennebec
county"
The report was accepted. on motion
of Mr.. Carleton of Winthrop. rules
We're suspended, bill read three times
and was passed to be engrossed.
READ AND ASSIGNED.
Bill an act in relation to railroad
crossings.
Bill. an act to incorporate the trus-
tees of Coburn Classical Institute.
Bill an act to amend the charter Of
the portsmouth,, hlttery ana Ork
Street Railway.
Were Severaily read twice and to-
morrow assigned for the third read
ing.
Bill, an act amendatory to Chapter
16 of the Revised Statutes and SubSe-
'puent acts relating to the repair of
highways.
Was read once and tabled on motion
Of Mr.. Chase of Portland.
Bill. an act to amend an act entitled
an act to regulate the practice of med
icine and surgery.
Was read twice and tabled on no
ton Of Mr. Carleton of Winthrop.
PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED.
Bill, an act to amend Chapter 266 of
the Public Laws of 1893. as amended
by Chapter lbs of the Public Laws of
1899, relating to the militia.
Bill, an act to prohibit fishing in
Pleasant pond and its inlets, situated
in Sumner. oxford county.
Bill. an act to extend the charter of
the Winn Water and Power Co.
Bill. an act to authorize telephone.
telegraph. electric light, heat or power
companies to place their wires under
the surface of public WAYS