Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-31
After Recess.
Biddeford Police Bill.

Special assignment: Majority and
minority reports of the committee on
| Judiciary TO which was referred bill.
An Act to amend Chapter 625 of the
Private and Special Laws of 1892 the
| majority reporting fought not to pass, -
| and the minority reporting fought to
pass
Mr.. Smith of Berwick moved that the
majority report be accepted.
Mr.. SMITH of Biddeford: Mr.. Speak
or ana Gentlemen of the House. as one
of the representatives from the city of
5iddeford, elected by nearly 400 ma
jorlty, 250 of which votes We're cast by
Republicans who did and now do be
lirvt in the principles of Abraham Lin
coin, namely, the rights of the people,
| am here to say few words regard
ing our police commission in the city
of BiddefOrd, which came into exist
enco in 1893. n law that was conceived
in corruption and brought forth in
inlquity-a law enacted for the pur-
pose of taking from the majority of the
voters of the city of BiddefOrd the
right to govern in their own affairs.
/ wish to say to YOU all that the cit
liens of my city are as Intelligent and
as laW-abidinG as any in our State. and
such being the fact. we as Il people ask
that we may be allowed the same priv
ilegcs that you in your cities and towns
enjoy. 1t is neither just nor right that
We should be deprived of them by the
Legislature of this State.
This police commission bill came into
existence in 1898. and the senator who
presented it to the Senate informed me
il
mcanest act of his life, and that he
been oxerted upon him, and that he
hoped God would forgive him for his
act.
Now gentlemen of the House. we are
not asking you to do away with. or
that we shall not have a commission.
but we ask of YOU that we may select
from among our best citizens, two
commissioners. who shall be elected
by tho people of Biddeford and. with
the mayor. constitute a board of po-
lice commissioners for the city of Bid
dcfOrd
We elect annually three members of
our school committee. committee
which consists of nine members We
select men whose characters are above
reproach. men who will and are com
petent to manage our school AFFAIRS
| that our children may obtain that
which is of more value than money
| education. ...
win YOU not give to the people OF
| Biddeford a commission of their own
choice. instead of a commission APP
pointed.
New. gentlemen of the House. want
to be fair in this matter. ] VIII not en-
gage in recriminations. l do not ana
will not be diverted from the question
under discussion. | do not wish you
to be. Deal with my people justly. as
YOU would expect justice to your III
| like circumstances.
| Mr.. SMITH of Berwick: Mr.. Speaker
| 7 was somewhat amused at the expires
sion of the gentleman from BldueIoru
that the bill establishing the Biddeloio
| notice commission was conceived IL
corruption and brought forth in lniqu'-
| tv Had he said it was conceived oe
cause of corruption and brought ior''
because of iniquity he would ha''
| STATED the proposition more correctly
In 1898 the bill to provide for ponce
commission for Biddeford was iptro
d,,ced into the Legislature. previous
TO that time the police of the city o.
Riddeford had been appointed in th'
usual manner by the city council.
iS a notorious fact, to prove winch
hold in my hand two atfidavits showins
AZ that time that no police cHcer couie
he appointed by the city council WIN
ont having 1925 for his appointment.
~ IN olso show that no police officer II
that city could hold his appointment.
Vii also show that no police officer II
that citv could hold his appointment
excent he made an annual contributor
70 the Democratic city government o
p;aaeford of SIPS What was the con
aa 4I,o polica force at that time