Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-03
now too late for that onnostt,or - -.

| there are any valid reasons why thia
bill should not pass. let them state
those reasons here in order that these
disinterested and honorable members
may pass upon their merits. 80 ~
I submit that the opposition to this
bill does not wish to declare itself. II
| says very plausibly that the people of
| the city of Portland should be heard.
The people OF Portland have been
heard and their voices have been raised
in no uncertain tones, They ask lis to
try this question fairly and squarely,
and upon its merits. not to open the
noodgates of politics and political ma
nipulatiOnS upon question that
should be decided upon n plane, broad
err and nobler and higher. These gem
tlemen who are so jealous of the rights
of the citizens of Portland, why have
they not appeared before? This Legis-
lature almost daily grants charters to
cities of this State, it amends their
charters by giving them additional
powers or by taking away powers
which they already possess. 1t grants
to corporations and individuals rights
to go over and under their streets.
These matters are as vital to those
cities as is this question is vital to the
city of Portland. Now why have not
these gentlemen arisen in their seats
and demanded of this House that it re-
fer all these questions to the people Of
the various towns and cities whose
interests are affected and whose rights
they guard so jealousy? Such course
would relieve us Of great responsible
ties.
Who asks for a referendum? don't
know of any considerable number OF
citizens who ask for a referendum.
The gentleman from Portland (Mr.
Eale) is, with two exceptions, the
only citizen Of Portland whom I have
heard asking for referendum. He
asks us to put this legislation upon
others. But, Mr.. Speaker, I want to
show you who asks us to pass this Dill
without a referendum. / have here q
resolution passed by the Portland
Board of Trade that has n membership
of over GOO men, who represent every
phase of business and professional
life within our city, and whose sole in
terestS are for the welfare of our city.
This resolution was unanimously
passed. and is in the following terms:
Whereas, There is proposition bee
fore the State Legislature to discon.
tinue the dual government heretofore
and now existing in the municipality
of Portland and
"WhereaS, Such a proposition II Tor
the purpose of consolidating the com.
mon council and board of aldermen as
now constituted into one effective
working organization,
New, therefore, be it Resolved that
the Portland Board of Trade. cOmpris.
ed of the merchants. manufacturers
and business men of the city, with a
of over six hundred, here
by endorse and commend the proposed
legislation"
Is that demand for n referendum
from those six hundred business and
men of Portland? I hold
in my hand. and the gentleman from
Portland (Mr. Hale) has told you
about them. numerous petitions from
the citizens and taxpayers of Port
land, bearing over eight hundred
names. and they represent men Of ev-
cry walk in life. They represent
business men and professional men,
they represent the labOring men ana
the mechanics whose interests we all
want to protect. and these petitions
are signed by men who knew what
they We're signing; they are the con-
stituents of this Portland delegation.
More than this. the gentleman from
Portland (Mr. Hale) suggested that
he would like reference of this ques-
ton to the Portland Delegation. There
are seven members OF the Portland
Delegation in this House and five out
If that number are against 4 referen-
dunn as proposed by the gentleman
from Portlnad (Mr. HALEY
Mr.. HALE: l question that state
ment.
Mr.. BANTER: They are all here and
they can and will speak for themselves.
There is also delegation of Portland
citizens here who have come to do
what they hOnorably can to assist in
the passage Of this measure. Among
them are members of the common
whose very Offices are to be
abolished. They are here as private
not as members Of the city
government Of Portland. and main
tain. Mr.. Speaker. that they have
4 perfect right to come here even
though they are members Of the city
5oNeIiIiiItIl vi fOTtlallu. InOu&n the
gentleman from Portland (Mr. HALEY
would have us think otherwise. They
come here asking us to pass this bill
without a referendum because they
are unselfsh and are only seeking for
he city's highest interests.
Now. Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen. /
submit that the gentleman from Port
and represents an opposition that has
not and evidently will not declare IL
elf. He seeks dilatory methods in re-
gard to this measure and he hopes
hereby to defeat the almost unanimous
sentiment of the people. A vote
against this referendum is a vote that
VIII send forth to the people OF the
state of Maine this word: that their
sent here to pass laws.
ire unwilling and will not send back
o the people the very questions that It
their duty to decide; it will send
orth to the people of the State OF
halne the word that we are here to
perform our duties and not to shirk
hem.
l hope Mr. Sneaker and Gentlemen