Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-02-09
BoWditCh, Webster&Co.
Pharmacists Of Augusta.

where the prayer of the petitioners is
refused, one-half of the expense of the
commissioners shall be paid by the
petitioners" Now if they have to pay
for coming to the Legislature. per
haps il would check some of this i'm
mense flood. and for that reason
offer the order. and move it's reference
to the committee on legal affairs.
Mr.. NICKERY of kennebec-As a
matter of information | would like to
ask if the matters referred to come
under the head of private legislation
or is it public? From the best advice
we could get it was advertised as pub
lie legislation. l only ask for in
formation.
Mr.. McFADDEN-My object was to
call it to the attention Of the legal
affairs committee. 10 see if some
remedy could not be provided to lessen
the food Of private legislation.
Mr.. PLUMMER of Penobscot-I
would like to ask the Senator from
Lincoln if ne would deny to anybody the
right of petition, and if the right of
petition was not established many
years ago in the Congress of the United
States and through the instrumentality
bI JONI quincy Atd ana IL IL IL moi
secured to the people in our own State
constitution: and if he thinks this
Legislature by the advice of the COM
mittee on legal affairs, or any other
committee should take any measures
to abridge the right of petition. and
prevent any person in the State. no
matter how poor he may be. who has
4 grievance, or has a desire To have
some measure passed which will bcne-
| lit him or his section or the public at
| large. from coming here and having a
respectful hearing?
| Nh McFADDEN-Oh. no. Mr. Presi-
dent. | would not abridge the right of
petition. But the Senator from
Penobscot is we'll aware that this evil
| has become SO large in this State and
in other states that many of the
| states are moving for a constitutional
amendment prohibiting private
| legislation There is such a move. do
not know but it is already con
sumated. in the state Of New York.
I DO not know but that is the proper
remedy here in Maine; but, | thought.
We charge now for private legislation.
we charge fee for corporate leglsla :
ton: and | do not know any difference
really in the principle Of the thing.
AT any rate. l do not know why the
| committee should not take the matter
under consideration and see if some
remedy can be applied to Shut off III
| whole. or in part the flood of app!lca-
tons that came in here for private
legislation over the most trivial
| things Imaginable.
Mr. PLUMMER-Mr. President. |
| have no doubt if the order is referred
| to the committee on legal a11aifS'
that the committee will be very glad
to hear the Senator from Lincoln as 10
any suggestions which he may offer
that are practical and practicable 70
reach this evil But | really thlnk
that any person in the State VINO de-
s.res legisla ton of a public character
as this legislation with regard TO theSe
lakes and ponds in my opinion IS vi
of a private character. even where lit
mas a grievance which he thinks can
only be righted through the ACTON Vi
the Legislature of his State. mas
right to come here without putting III
a fee in the first instance.
The order received passage.
on motion by Mr.. Weeks of Sofiiel
set, it was. Ordered, the House concur
ring that the committee on agr'tu',
ture be and and hereby is authoil"eo
to make a complete investigation ny
the manage ment of the Office OF w
Board of Agriculture as conduCle" "
the Secretary, examine all accounts
pertaining to the work of the ONCE
summons witnesses, to appear anu Pi
sent evidence and employ such couiiSe
as may be necessary. also a StehoSi "
. pher; acertan the amount OF ouis'h"
ing bills of whatever kind or mature
. and present to this Legislature Il CON-
plete and itemized account OF the
, suit of said investigation.
On motion by Mr.. McFadden OF ~
, coin, petition of committee OF the In
coin County Historical Society VIII =
companying report of commute
: financial affairs tabled yesteruaS' =