Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-21
SPECIAL SESSION OPENS,

The administering of the oath of
office to the three senators and the 10
representatives, who We're chosen for
the special session to fill vacancies
the hearing of the message of Govern
or Plaisted, and the passage of resoIu-
lions in both branches in memory of
the late Ex-Governor John f. Hill.
were the only matters which occupied
the attention of the two Houses,
Wednesday morning, in connection
with the reassembling of the 18TH Leg
islature. The session lasted a little
less than an hour and a half and be-
fore noon both Houses had adjourned
to meet again at 10 a. NJ, Thursday,
at which time the business of the spe-
eial session will begin in earnest Two
senators and Ia representatives. were
absent. 1t was stated in the Senate
that Senator Foss of Cumberland, who
has been seriously i'll during the entire
winter and spring, had left the hospi-
tai. Tuesday, but it is extremely
doubtful if his health is such that he
will be able to be present at any time
during the special session.
The Senate machinery. in spite of
the recess of nearly a year, was in
good working order, but in the House
the reading of the Governors proela :
nation, calling the Legislature to-
gether in special session was not read
until after a number of routine orders
had been passed.
The reading of the Governors mes
sage in the joint convention consumed
but little over 20 minutes. The House
-aIl n
standing ard seated in the aisles,
nearly as many being present as at the
opening of the regular session. The
messages.Which will be found in full
on apqth6E page, recommended an
amendmenf to the constitution, per-
hitting the State to issue $1,000, 009
worth of bonds for road building pur-
poses, the immediate passage of d re-
districting resolve, giving a new and
more equitable Congressional appor-
tionment, the revision of the election
laws. and an amendment to the con-
stitution, which should preserve prohi-
bition in the country towns and give
the cities local option.
The declaration Of the Governor S
message upon the question of an
amendment to the prohibitory law
was noted by those who followed him
closely to be somewhat at variance
with the platform adopted, Tuesday
afternoon at the Democratic State
Convention. The Governor appeared
in his message to assure to the coun-
try towns full measure of prohibit
ton as far as the law was concerned,
while the cities alone We're to have
local option. The State platform,
however. takes step further, in the
local option direction and gives the
towns prohibition OF the 81 per cent.
brand only: that is, it can he over
turned when 81 per cent of the voters
of the town petition and a majority of
the voters declare against il when the
question is submitted to them.
Among those from various parts of
the State who We're present at the
opening of the session We're: Hon
William 7. Haines of Waterville, Hon
Charles S. Stetson of Greene, master
of the Maine State Grange, Hon. S
ThaYer Kimball of Rockland, PHILIP
Howard and Judge William p. Hur-
ley of Rockland, Hon. Pascal z. Gil
more of Bueksport. Judge Frederick a
Powers of Houlton, Hon, Harold NJ
Sewall of Bath, Hon. Arthur |. Brown
of Belfast, and United States Senator
Obadiah Gardner of Rockland.