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

analyses that are made by that inStitu-
ton for the leading industry of the state.
which is, of course, the agricultural in
dustry. Practically the only aid which
the Experiment Station receives from the
State, except the matter of fees from fer
tiliZers, etc. is in the form OF State
printing. If that State printing is taken
away from the Experiment Station, as |
now understand the fact. the important
work of that institution will be to that
extent crippled. Mr.. Woods does not
knew, and the State printer does not
know, and l doubt if anyone here does
know-what it costs to do that printing.
1t is probably over a thousand dollars Il
year: it may he $500 year.
Now, the day before yesterday, in con-
ference with Mr.. Woods, | drew Il resolve
iii favor of the Experiment Station. which
] promised him | would offer here in case,
my amendment should happen to pass the
Senate l will read this resolve: Re
solved, that the sum of 5000 or 50 much
thereof as may be necessary, b., and IS
hereby appropriated from the appropriate
tiCn for State printing to defray the eX-
pcnse of printing the bulletins and other
publications of the Maine Agricultural
Experiment Station for the Years 1905 and
1906 subject to the provisions of Chapter
y of Section of the Revised Stotutes."
That resolve is on the Supposi;ion that
$1,000 year will cover the cost Of print
ing for the Experiment Station. If this
resolve should pass it would not take 4
dollar out of the State treasury, that is
not already appropriated; it would aDpro-
pirate Il sum not exceeding 5000 from
the $4,000 already appropriated. 1t would
give the Experiment Station the printing
which it has now. but 1t would gu" IL Ia
it within definite limits. so that il should
not exceed 5000; and it would place tho
expenditure of that sum where 1t belongs
within the discretion of the Governor and
Council instead of being discretionary, as
now. with the institution itself
Ii would therefore. as n business prop
osition. ana from the standpoint of til"
State. be better than it is now; it now
being on the same indefinite plane us tn
printing for the university.
Since drafting this resolve with Mr.
Woods, have received a long letter from
him suggesting some alterations in it
suggesting a different method somewhat
of getting at the result, and that ne now
thinks it would cost more to do the print
ing than he thought the day Lrlore yes
terday, and that | make some changes in
this resolve.
l have decided not to 90 that. | Will
submit this resolve in the form in which
l have drafted it, provided my amend
ment passes the Senate; and MY idea
Ould be to have the resolve referred to
the committee on agriculture. and have
Il hearing at which Mr.. Woods can be
present, and then have it redrifted. ii
necessary. make the amount larger. il
necessary, and put on another basis if
necessary to accomplish the general prop
oSitiOn.
I offer this as evidence of good faith as
the Experiment Station, which l assume
is properly granted to it.
Now, Mr.. President. without delaying
tie Senate further. l submit on the ques-
ton of my amendment and the general
question. the facts and reasons | have
stated to the candid consideration of the
Senate.
Mr.. IRVING of Aroostook: Mr.. Pres
ident it is not my purpose at this time
to enter into Il discussion of this queS-
ton, as I am convinced that others
will take the matter up and handle it
as it should be. But, as a member of
the committee to which this resolve
was referred, in justice to myself and
to the members of that committee. l
desire to very briefly review the history
OF that resolve. and submit the facts
upon which that committee reached
its decision or the question. Notwith-
standing the fact that notice of the
hearing WAS published for two weeks
in the dailes of our State, no one APP
peared before the committee in Oppo-
sitioE to the resolve. The officers of the
college appeared and presented their
claim in the language of the state
ment of facts. When the present in
come of the university was first appro-
priated by the Legislature. there were
2i6 students in attendance upon the in
Stitution. The members rapidly in
creased and consequently, expenses al
so. What was reasonably sufficient, has
ceased to be SO. The number of stu
dents is now 55S more than 800 in eX-
cess of those III attendance when the
present income was fixed. The Situa-
ton has been met by the most rigid
economy, by curtailing the purchase
of much-needed supplies. books, etc,
and latterly 10y diminishing the amount
of much-needed repairs. Upon that
statement of facts, the officers of the
college rested its case: and your COM
mittee recognizing in their argument
the ful1ilment in part. and in excess
of the expectation of the State when
they created that institution, regarded
Tint argument the strongest conceNa-
BILE argument for the granting of that
resolve; and without haste. but DELHI
erately, honestly considering it
from all sides of the question. unani
mOusly voted fought to pass" and so
reported the resolve to the House. On
Feb. =, this resolve was tabled in the
House and for three weeks it remained
in that state of repose, until under the
pressure of more than three-quarterS
of the members of the House. it vas
sent upon its passage, without dis
senting vote or voice. 1t has survived
the smOthering process and is now be-
fore us to be amended. if possible, be-
yGnd all usefulness to the institution
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