Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-15

the usual form which WIS fono"ed III
the address from the senator from
Knox. 1t is hard to follow his vaG-
aries in this matter, but am not r.
sponsble for them and his party IS
not responsible for them. He Is OFTEN
right and when he is wrong. he is so
much more eloquent than he is when
lie is right that it makes him an inter-
csting and lovable character.
Mr.. STAPLES-Ah.
Mr.. SEWALI-I say it is not un-
fortunate that he has given this de-
bate just the turn il must take II
reply to his speech-not unfortunate
because it lends interest TO the debate
which, in this crowded session might
not otherwise attract the attention
that it ought to, in view Of the impor-
lance of the subject. 1t is fortunate
for us that this is a matter where the
senator will not speak ana cannot
speak for his party. There was a time
when, as a lone star in the Democratic
armament, we looked to him as an eX-
ponent of the faith Of his party, in all
! matters on this floor; but since that
armament has received other stars
that technically are quite as brilliant
as that lone star, We Will not accept
i'll this or in any other instance, his
as the voice of the party. AS u matter
of fact, the majority report Of the bill
under discussion is almost identically
the same with the bill presented in
this body by one of the senator's from
Cumberland, Senator Proctor: and, in
point o. Democratic faith, while the
ic q DpynOcr1cV
Cumberland has received a stamp
| which promises as much for the future
| az that of the somewhat disorganized
Democracy Of the senator from Knox.
am quite as ready to accept the opin-
| ion of the senator from Cumberland in
| this important matter as representing
! the Democratic party. as that Of the
senator from Knox. have understood
always. from the beginning of the ses
sion, that this matter of increasing
| our compensation. joined as il is with
| the proposition TO abolish railway
passes. was 10 be lifted above all mat
Ter of party lines; and not only that,
! but that it was to be elevated and put
| beyond any matter of taxation Of cor
| porate franchises, o. any particular
| hobby that any particular member
| might choose to indulge il.
| am glad for the senator, that he
| has had an opportunity to make his
| railroad speech. because it was
| through no fault Of mine but through
| his that the Senate has not
| listened to it before. The committee
on taxation did report unanimously
against his railroad bill; and after that
| pI n
branches and gone through the usual
| course 4 week or two afterwards the
| senator woke up to the fact that he
| had lost the opportunity to make his
| speech. 1t was wrong for him 70 an
| ticipate the action of the committee on
| taxation as regards the raising of rove
| nue., for his was not the only bill pre-
scented to the committee; and there are
| now under consideration by that COM
| mittce three or four revenue bills tax
| ing corporations. railroads. express
| companies and palace car companies.
| The committee hope to find solution
| in regard to those measures which may
be as satisfactory to the senator from
Knox as they will be to the State
This measure for increasing the
| compensation of members of the Leg
islature is Il measure which has had
| full and serious consideration, for il
was introduced early in the session.
| 1t rests upon an order introduced by
me some six or seven weeks ago. in
| StructinG the committee on salaries
| and fees 10 consider the feasibility Of
| increasing the nay of members Of the
Legislature and of putting members
of Legislature as regards of the use
of passes on a footing with other State
CONTINUED On Page Four)