Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-27
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
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suppose it was the intention that Maine
should exhibit whatever she has to ex-
nibit there; but, in view of the nnanciaI
situation CT the State at the present
time. as read from the report of the
financial affairs committee, we are in
debt. today, IL all the appropriations
go through, between $500,0OO and $780,
OC0. l appreciate and I think the tax
PAYERS of. the State feel grateful to the
finance committee for the pruning they
have done with this most extravagant
and unwarranted appropriation. I all
low no man to be more patriotic than
am. There is no man in the State of
Maine that feels prouder of the good
old State of Maine than / do. but I
must recollect that st. Louis is good
way from Maine.
l would like to know, gentlemen Of
the Senate what Maine has to exhibit
there which will be of benefit there
which will be of benefit to the State of
Maine? AS look over this Senate say
that IL it were the good-looking women
Of Maine. I certainly would be in
favor Of it. If the fish and game COM
mission want to exhibit the square
tailed trout, the perch or salmon that
we have in the State of Maine, why,
then. let them do it, and believe they
should do it at their own expense. l
know it would be grand good thing
for the fish and game commission to
go out there. haven't any doubt they
would take a moose out there and
parade him through the boulevards Of
st. Louis with the chairman of the
fish and game commission on his back.
That would be about as reasonable as
anything contained in this bill. We
have a lime industry in my county, a
wealthy syndicate. If they want to
exhibit. we are perfectly willing they
should do it. If the cotton manufac-
turers of the State of Maine want to
exhibit their fabrics. they are prefectly
able to pay for it, much more than the
tax payers of Maine are able to pay
their expenses there with an appropria-
ton of $4,000. Does any senator be-
lieve any benefit will be derived to the
State of Maine by it? We are having
these exposition almost every two
years in the United States. Two years
ago we had call for an appropriation
of $4,000 for the Buffalo Exposition,
which was killed in this Senate. Now,
in view of the financial condition in
which we find ourselves placed, as we
have stood here and refused to raise
any revenue by equal taxation in any
other way, it seems to me that this
Legislature has gone wild upon the
matter of appropriations and in in
creasing salaries. The salaries all over
the State Of Maine have been increased.
Are you willing to put the extra bur-
den of this appropriation upon the tax
payers of the State? I do not believe
You are, while the Democratic party of
the State Of Maine has between 10000
and $4,000 voters, a representation of
considerable Importance, and while Iive
commissioners are appointed, and l
am a little sensitive when I find the
minority political party in this State
has no representative upon that COM
mission. 1 hope the Senate will vote
down this appropriation, and with
these remarks. insist upon my mo-
ton.
Mr.. GUERNSEY of Piscataquis: Mr..
President: l hope the motion of the
senator from Knox, will not prevail.
The Governor appointed on the board
four or five broad minded. capable, co.n >
petent business men, as commissioners.
They examined into the conditions eA-
listing there; and learned that other
states were to aid by being represented
at that Exposition. Those gentlemen
appeared before the committee on fed
eral relations and stated their inten-
lions regarding the Exposition, and
what the State should do. They be-
- 1oI hrtf hnv yva6
they might do something with $4,000.
Their recommendations as presented
were adopted by the committee. Their
report passed through the hands OF
one Of the most conservative commit
tees this Legislature has appointed and
which has been condemned for it's &C
ton on almost everything else, and this
committee on appropriations and f.
nancial affairs did not cut down the
appropriation, but comparatively
small amount and made majority re-
port ought to pass on an appropriation
of $4,000. That has received it's pas
sage through the House, body which
is supposed to be nearer to the people OF
the State than the Senate. l believe
we would be ashamed. after this Legis-
lature is adjourned, and our constitI-
ents would be ashamed that the State
of Maine was not to be represented al
one Of the greatest international Expo
sitions ever held in this country. We
can make as good an exhibit there
commercially and otherwise as any
State. / hope the Senate will concur
with the House in passing this $40,-
900. for the purpose proposed and hope
the motion of the senator from Knox
to accept the minority report will not
prevail.
Mr.. STAPLES of Knox: I would like
to ask the senator from Piscataquis
what Maine proposes to exhibit at thu
Exposition?
Mr.. GARDNER of Penobscot: Mr.
President, If the senators from Knox
and Piscataquis, will permit me, l will
answer that question. AS / see it, the
State in appropriating the $40, 900 to be
represented at that Exposition viii
merely accept one of the common
amenities of life between the different
states in this Union. The senator from
Knox makes reference to the Demo
cratic party, and brings this matter ur
as political issue. am proud to be-
long to a party that preserved this
Union. while the gentleman from Knox
belongs to a party which brought abou,
the breach In this matter 7 am will.