Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-08

The committee on judiciary. which
| was 10 have had the use Of the Senate
| chamber for its hearing on the initia-
tvie and referendum. but gave way II
the committee on legal affairs on ac-
count of the great interest in the Bid
deford police bill.
Joseph Williamson of Augusta ap-
peared in behalf of the State Referen-
dun League. in place Of A. NJ. Cod
dard, who was compelled to relin-
quisn the work on account Of sudden
illness. Mr.. Williamson said that there
was no need of going over the general
arguments in favor of the referendum,
for It had been accepted as desirable
| by both the Republican and Democratic
parties. and the committee is simply
to determine the form that the act sh4..l
take.
The state Referendum League, which
drew this, the Weeks bill, is com
posed of people Of all parties and this
bill is the one which they agreed 20
present. 1t is understood that there
is a division Of opinion as to whether
the referendum should apply to the
constitution or not. The two great rar
ties are also divided on this same line.
but the Weeks bill is the bill which that
organiza zion voted to support and urge
upon the Legislature.
The bill in no way abridGes the
right of petition by the people. though
by it, petition carrying 1000 names.
for any law, makes 1t obligatory upon
the Legislature to pass upon the sub
ject. Mr. Williamson said that with
out a doubt. petition carrying any
thing like 1000 names, whether it ac-
tually reached that number or no.,
would have the same moral effect upon
the Legislature as if it carried the full
number.
The differences between the Demo-
cratic or Johnson bill and the Weeks
bill are not numerous. one saying that
the subject shall be stated in the pre-
amble. and in the other it is provided
that the subject shall be stated in the
body Of the bill. The other difference,
aside from the constitutional provision
is that the Weeks bill makes it neceS-
sary to get 1000 names to initiate legis-
lation. while the johnson bill calls for
10 per cent. of the votes cast at the
last election, or $4,000. The Referendum
League endorses the smaller number.
II. c. Libby of Waterville. president
of the State Referendum League. de-
scribed the work OF that organization,
and stated that they were pledged in IA
vor of the Weeks bill. He said that the
league was organized simply and sole
ly to bring this matter to the atten-
ton of the Legislature and having sig
nally succeeded in that, its work was
finished
Benedict F. Maher of Augusta was
called upon. He stated it as his opin-
ion that the idea of applying the ref
erendum to all law was in the main
commemorate, but that there were some
strong arguments against it. 1T is
better said he. 10 take a half a loaf,
if you cannot get a whole one" or get
the referendum without the conStitu-
tionaI provision. # it cannot be secured
with it. Mr.. Maher also favored the
fixed number of petitions. rather than
the percentage plan, owing to the
great fluctuations in the number of
those voting. He objected to provis-
ions In both bills for ordering the bills
hack to the people. claiming that Meth
er bill prevented such reference from
being delayed from Is to q months or
until general election.
The point seemed to have been we'll
taken. for the advocates of the Weeks
bill Immediately offered an amendment
covering it.
Obadiah Gardner of Rockland. master
of the State Grange, said that thu
Grange endorsed the general idea. It
has been discussed in the subordinate
Oranges and the members had signed
after careful consideration.
The Rev. f. c. Dunnack of Angus
ia spoke Of that section applying to
cities. 1t seemed to him. he said. that
1t provided a valuable added check or
balance to evil or umwise legislation.
and was an evolution in government.
How shall we get correct express
sion of the will of the people and yet
preserve our representative govern
ment." said the speaker. lis the prob
len, before tho American ppoplc today