Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-23
SENATE.

SENATE
Inc resolve proposing ar amendment
10 inc constitution establishing a peO-
pies veto through an optional referen-
dum was the principal matter under
consideration in the Senate yesterday.
When the smoke Of debate had cleared
away it disclosed the measure success
fully passed by the narrow margin of
y to IL.
Senator Clark Of Hancock may take
home with him big share of the
credit for the passage of the measure
for his able arguments carried force
and conviction with it. It was indeed
mastery speech. logical and apt and
delivered with Senators characteristic
vigor and eloluence. The reports of
the committee on judiciary were a ma
Jority ought not to pass and a min
GRITTY ought to pass" in new draft
Nothing daunted by the stamp Of dis
approval given the bill by the commit
| tee. Senator Clark jumped in and drag
ged it through to victory. He certainly
| had the courage of his convictions.
Senator Clark.
Senator Clark took the bill from the
| table and moved that the minority re-
port be substituted for the majority.
| He said that the idea of the initiative
| and referendum now prevails in 400 of
the towns of Maine. Under the town
system of government 10 voters may
| ask that the selectmen Incorporate any
question of public policy into the town
meeting warrant and they must COM
ply
On 4 larger scale. he said, the resolve
provides that 10 per cent. of the voters
| of the State may exercise the same
right to initiate or approve the enact
mcnt Of certain laws. He believed the
| common people should have the power
to say whether State laws should be
| ci<ated just as the towns people have
| the right to reject or accept town l;rNs.
| At the close of Mr.. Clark's remarks the
senate adjourned until afternoon.
Senator Potter.
When the session reaesembled at 2
o clock after the recess Senator Potter
Of Cumberland spoke in opposition to
| Senator Clark. provin,: the arceptanc"
| of the majority report Of ought not to
pass
Mr. Potter believed that il the resolve
| were passed, and subsequently incOr
| state it would permit the people to
| reject or secure the enactment of laws
| independent of the Legislature and in
| spite of The Legislature.
Mr.. Potter referred to the fact tina.
| bills had been introduced to abolish tn"
Offices of state linuc.r commissioner AMI
public printer. ana now it is a measure"
! to abolish this functions of the Lcgis-
81 hot ht Son.
ate would vote against the adoption Of
| the minority report.
Senator HeseIton.
| Senator Hcselton " Kenucbcc spoke
| strangely IN favor OF tho measures. II"
said ne was not afraid to trust tn :
| pcoplc in the matter of legislation and
| he WAS not afraid that they would vio-
| late that trust and re lc't good laws. H.
| believed that if the people have conf
| dcnce in their repres entatives the lat
| ter should have confidence in them.
Nj Hesclton said that he considered
| the initiative and ref, rendum repro
| sent ID the best interests Of the State
| and should be enacted into law.
Senator Staples.
| Senator Staples likewise was in favor
/
measure therein proposed represented
! the voice of the people. He was in fav-
! or of the referendum because it gives
| to the people the right and power To
| check the encroachmcn.s OF trusts and
vicious combinations Of capital. He al
so favored the resolve because it would
tend to prevent legislators from voting
for u.wise laws
Senator Allen.
Senator Allen of York said he had
made a careful study Of the bill. He
had made inquiries among the people
Of his county and found no sentiment
| in favor of it. He thought the resolve
| would change the fundamental law of
| the State and he therefore opposed its
| adoption.
| Senator Mills of Hancock favored TIL y
| acceptance of the minority report in
an especially vigorous and convincing
| speech. The vote resulted l. to III N
| favor Of substituting the minority for