Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-30

Il
word; it simply is an officer of the
State giving you or l information m
regard to the Office of the institution
with which he may be connected l
can't see that it comes under the head
of lobby hope that this House VIII
not be adopting such an amendment
as that reflect upon it's own officials
that it has selected and put into office
to do the work of the State
Mr. HAVEY of Sullivan: Mr.. Speak
er: I wish that the gentleman from
Yarmouth (Mr. Davies) or someone
who is more familiar with the prOvi-
sions of this bill than I am would IN
form me Just what provision there is
in that bill that would lead anyone
to believe from reading the bill that
there was intended to be a discriml-
nation between the citizens of the State
of Maine? l confess l cannot see it
from reading the bill, and I most as
surcdly would be of the opinion that
the bill as drawn up would apply to
the trustees of the State institutions as
we'll as to other individuals of the
State.
Mr.. pATTANGALL: Mr.. Speaker: /
would inquire this bill. 1t seems to me
that the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Auburn out of good
faith may have some merit. 1 have
learned with some surprise since l
came here this winter from member
of the last Governors Council that
the last Council authorized the pay
ment of two bills presented by the
trustee of a State institution, and for
fear the Lewiston Journal might make
a mistake about it / will say that it
was not the University of Maine. That
claim of two bills was for services
which were rendered in procuring an
appropriation before the Legislature
Now, l say I learned that with con-
siderable surprise. and ! learned 1t from
man who has been so long IN the
employ of the State in public service
and who is of such high character that
l accepted it as true, and l believe it
to be true, although l have not made
an examination Of the bill. l do not
understand that that amendment would
prevent trustees from appearing here,
sitting in our seats where they would
certainly up in this vicinity / am sure
did appear for pay, no matter who
they charged their pay to, that that
fact should appear upon our docket
which is kept in the office Of the sec
rotary of State, as it ought to be, and
so that the public could have full
knowledge of it.
Now, if 1 thought that the gentleman
from Auburn intended his amendment
to injure the bill l am sure l should
not support it; if l thought he intend
ed it as a reflection upon all the trus-
tees of the State institutions I should
rot support it. but think as l do that
he intended it to meet one or two eX-
ceptional cases where trustees have
gone beyond their duties as public Of
ficials it seems to me it is right.
Mr.. WING: Mr.. Speaker: The
gentleman from Watervillc has stated
the fact in regard to the matter and
which I knew, and I dare say the
source of his information is that same
as that from which l received my in
formation, and / offer this amendment
to cover that case exactly, SO that II
the State Of Maine has to pay the trls-
tees of her State institutions for legis
lativc work that they should be regis
tered the same as everybody else. / do
not offer it in any way to injure the
bill or in any way to cause any re-
Election upon any of the trustees of our
State institutions; but knowing the
facts. as the gentleman from Water
vile has stated. l do not feel that if
the trustees of our State institutions
were to be paid for their services as
lawyers and other men are paid, then
that they should register in this State
House with the rest. I sincerely trust
that this amendment which I have Of
fered in the greatest of good faith will
he adopted.
Mr.. DAVIES: Mr.. Speaker. if the
House will permit me Just one word more
| am very glad indeed that the gentle
man from Watervillc (Mr. PattangalD
made the statements that he did about
the trustees of some of our State insti-
tutions appearing here in the interest of
that institution and spending various
sums of money which afterwards had to
be accounted for: and | am very glad
that the gentleman from Auburn tMr
Wing) was able to confirm that state
ment. know of no better arguments in
favor of the bill than those two.
Now. as to the amendment. am in
cincd to agree with the gentleman from
Houlton (Mr. Herscy). 1t seems to me
that the adoption of that amendment is
some little reflection at least upon the
trustees of our State institutions, and
l feel as if the amendment was going to
iniure the provisions of the bill. Let us
cake this one step first. If we should
find out at the next session of the Legis-
lature, or at some future time. that it
is necessary or expedient to adopt an
amendment similar to the one which has
been offered here. then law at that time
can be amended or added to to cover the
provisions which have been suggested;
but it seems to me for the present the
bill as it is framed will be sufficient to
give us the regulation and the informa-
ton that we desire
Mr.. BIGELOW of Portland: Mr.. Speak
er. it is a little early in the session for
mock session yet. but l hope this
amendment will prevail. because it is in
keeping with the rest of the bluff con-
tanned in the rest of the bill. 1t seems
to me the amendment ought to prevail
because il is going n add great deaI IN