Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-30
THE LEGISLATURE.
Adjournment Only Reached at
2.40 Sunday Morning.
Exciting Scenes inthe Senate During
the Night.
The Legislature Will Meet AGAIN on
Tuesday, Sept. I, 1903.

ate, late Saturday night, and earlv
Sunday morning. Itfwas made possible
by an unusual proceeding, a proceed
ing that oftentimes occurs in Congress
but rarely In the legislative halls of
Maine. Inc wheels of legislation were
stopped; the fate of the appropriation
bills hung in the balance for nearly
two hours: the Senate members vera
divided on the question of passing the
bill relating to the school fund or put-
ting it over to the September session
and so the point Of order that no ono
rum was present was raised. It was
a rare procedure to be taken in the
Maine Legislature. procedure that
has not occurred within the memory
of the Oldest attache Of the State Can
itcl. II time would permit perhaps an
examination of the pages of the States
past history might disclose something
of similar nature; but SO far az
known to the average old-timer the
point has not been raised for MANY
years, except in cases where the fact
would only delay proceedings for a
short time.
When the question of mo quorum"
was raised. Saturday night, it present.
ed phase most extraordinary in its
character. 1t meant, II persisted in.
that the Legislature must adjourn un.
til Monday morning. In fact, Senator
Goodwin moved that such action be
taken. but it was decided that nothing
could be done except to take a recess
from time to time and then again
count the members present to see If a
IN nm Nxyn in,
done several times, and though the at
tempt was unsuccessful for some time
1t was finally brought about. And thus
the original plan of putting the school
fund bill over until September was
successfully carried through.
The liveliest scenes known in the
Maine Legislature in recent years oc-
Cured during Saturday. All day long
the Senate wrestled with contest after
contest, eliminating just before mid
night with the most exciting episode
Of the day. This contest was brought
about by Senator Staples of Knox
and for two solid hours he held con-
troll of that body and compelled the
majority to accede to his wishes. He
accomplished his object of making the
senator's vote either for or against the
passage of the bill to increase the
school fund by devoting f1ve-eighths of
the savings bank tax to this use.
This bill had been tabled by Senator
Wing early in the afternoon while on
its passage to be enacted, and 1t was
stated that the purpose for SO doing
was to defer final consideration until
September. If, at that time it could
be shown that the school fund had
been materially affected by the reduce
ton in the savings bank tax the bill
would be passed.
Senator Staples, however, insisted
that this was not the real motive be-
hind the movement, and declared that
it was part of concerted plan to hold
up this bill until September and then
use it to assist in passing the st.
Louis Exposition appropriation, which
had failed of concurrent action. Tine
latter bill had been passed by the
House and the Senate had indefinitely
postponed 1t.
During the evening long wait was
accustomed because of the delay In
making up the appropriation bills. But
at 11.25 they were ready and were re-
ported to the House by Bodwell or
Hallowell. They were rushed through
the first stages in that body and sent
up to the Senate.
Then matters became decidedly in
teresting. Senator Staples moved that
the bills lie upon the table. Everybody
was anxiously waiting to go home, ana
wanted to pass these bills in order TO
do so. objection was raised to the mo-
ton and 1t was voted down. Appar-
emily the trouble was over, for the Sen
ate at once referred the bills to the APP
propriations committee. Then Senator
Staples moved to take the school fund
bill from the table and supported his
motion In a vigorous speech IN Wnlch
he charged that an attempt was pelng
made to kill the bill. Senator Burle1gn
opposed the motion to take the Dill
from the table and explained his mo-
tive in doing so. He said that the
friends of the st. Louis project desired
to defeat the measure so that In Sep
tember they might be able to carry
through their plan of getting an appro-
priation. He said that he was IN favor
of.the school fund bill, but he felt that
1t could not be carried. as severai
friends of the bill had gone to their
homes
The motion to take from the table
prevailed by a vote of to s. TINS vote
disclosed the fact that. including Pres
ident Virgin, there were only IL sena-
tors present, just two more than a quo
rum. Senator Staples moved that the
bill pass to be enacted and the motion
was lost by a vote Of 3 to 8.
At this point Senators Alden OF Ken :.
nebec, and Pike OF Washington, ieit
their seats and hid themselves IN re-
mote parts OF the Capitol building. 80
quietly did they disappear thai tnelr
leave-taking passed unnoticed. later
Senator Bryant left for his nome ~
Pittsfeld by morning Pullman. Sena-
tor Morse also. left to take the saile
train. s,s.sa t,t,
Senator Burleigh moved to table the
bill. A standing vote was taken anu
it was declared carried, 9 to 5. Sena-
tor Staples at once raised the questioi !,
Of no quorum. The President coulo
count but fifteen members present pc
sides himself and the question was sus-
tanned.
Then came anxious and exciting my !,
ments. The appropriations bills I'u
not been passed. The Legislature was