Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-07
MAINE LEGISLATURE,
Continued from Page Four.)

~
ey when it comes from the State. But
small contractors living in the State
cannot do that.
Mr. President. I do not say because
II is not true of course that bill wa.
dictated by bridge building corpora
lions: but, if bridge building CORPORA
tions has made bill and introduced II
here. it would have been made riphf
along these lines. When Tanner he
came commissioner of pensions we ,vera
troubled by an embarrassing surplus
he was inclined to be liberal.
in the mater Of Pensions. and when he
took charge Of the pension department
he made q remark which was widelv
circulated 1t the time. He said. in e.
ing into the pension department, Now.
Cod help the surplus
If this bill passes, Mr.. President. the
same fervent prayer may be uttered
with reference to any surplus that the
state of Maine or its taxpayers NAV
have.
NJ. HESELTON: Mr.. President.
Very briefly, in reply to some of the
suggestions made by the senator from
Hancock. who has so eloquently snok-
en- upon this question and raised all of
the p"ejudices that might possibly be
aroused III the minds of anv senator
III regard to the feasibility or practica
lility Of this measure which simnly
says that the State Of Maine shall nav
for its own public works and their
managemcnt-not that the State of
Maine shall reach into any municipality
and take thCrefrom anything which. in
its power as a municipality, it has a
night to govern o. ContrOl-but no man
knew the delicate touch with which he
could excite prejudice in these matters
Oh that question more than my friend.
the senator from Hancock, able attor-
r,y and lawyer that he is.
Nov, as to the first objection which
be states here that we have not sutIi-
Gent Information III regard to this great
PROJECT. THAT suggestion. | beg to say.
Il simply put i'll here for the purpose Of
defeating the measure. The Republican
party, Of whi.h my friend is an able
exponent and believer in it's princi-
rlcs and doCtrinc-haS said: We believe
m the principle of the State caring for
its public utilities.
Have we sufficient information? We
have accurate information as to all
bridges more than 20 feet in length We
have, substantially accurate Informal
ton IT, regard To bridges from 20 to 40
feet in length sufficient for us to con-
slider Before this Legislature. then, is
enough information Of the cost for us
10 assume the responsibility, if it is our
duty to assume that responsibility.
Tie senator asks: How much would
it cost to carry on the repairs of these
bri GO; AMI in answer names the fig
ur, 100000. which it cost the munich
palities in the state OF Maine one year
arn
Va rail E.: that expenditure? The
municipality.
What lid it pay ii for?
For public institution.
Now, if YOU. today. put upon the
state the raising Of that sum by taxa
ton. who pays the tax?
The municipality.-it fair and eQui-
table part. ana the city or town Of Bar
IiarEor its part, which today it is not
rayinG.
lie says il violates the rules Of local
self-goyernmant How? Does it violate
the rules of local self-government for
the Stat" Of Maine to manage its own
public utilities Dn We say that we will
20 down into Ear Harbor. or int" the
city of Portland. AMI take their schools
and manaC" tEcmr NJ.
1t simply euyS. We will take the
bridges which lrr public works. belong
Ing - ire Stat" which we have obliged
YOU - carry these many years. and
care for tncm ourselves. distributing
the cost Of their care equally among
Mo -. L. hX-
taxation.
It is unfair, is his third proposition,
ia h1Vc these towns. which have built
their bridges. and, by promisory notes,
perhaps, raid part OF their obligations.
to row pay those notes and to assist in
building and caring for the bridges in
their localities.
Why, senator's. is it unfair to assume
z public burden, and have it carried by
the state?
Is il unfair 70 these towns that in the
future. they are relieved from all the
expenses Of caring for these bridges?
II YOU defeat this law, you leave
Them with that burden upon their
shoulders. to continue indefinitely, and
also to pay for these promisOry notes
that they have issued in payment OF
tn" cost uf these bridges.
1t Is also suggested by the senator. as
The fourth reason. that we are incur
ring an obligation without any ado
Puate means for caring for it. ! fail to
see how that proposition is fair argu-
Ihent in this case.
we have. by the adoption Of All
amendment this morning, adequately
cared ior the expenses that the state
would Incur for assuming this public
cvb'. Fly Cne-half of one mill tax We
VIII raise Il sum Of over Sl6O,O0o. and
mat sum, in the estimation Of people
"S atle to judge as my friend, the sen
"''r f""m Hancock, would be sufficient
u care for tn" expenses and repairs of
these bridges
FIfthly-In detail this is a bad bill,
says the senator from Hancock.
had nothing to do with the con-
Sruction Of it. and. if l had, L fear
t'uld not frame il i'll better terms than
this
This Last suggestion is the old. anti
qaated way Of approaching q bill which