Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-25

The bill, An Act to apportion repre-
sentatiVes TO Congress, was then
passed TO be enacted without objec-
ton.
Mr. MILLTKEN: Mr.. President, on
the act to provide for the use of uni
form ballot boxes and for the preser-
walton of ballots cast at elections l
have very little to say. l know prae-
tically nothing about the bill. l ven
ture to say that not one member of
this Legislature has read it. We may
get home and find things in it we never
heard of. We had no public hearing.
know just one thing about the bill.
that il compels officials of towns to
forward ballots to the secretary Of
State within "a hours after the cleo
lion. | believe that provision is I'M
wise, and that the towns should man
age their affairs as far as possible. |
believe it will result in Inconvenience
70 candidates who desire to inspect
ballots. They can do it now CON
yeniently and without expense. Under
the new arrangement they must go to
Augusta. If the town officials can be
trusted to keep the ballots over night
and "A hours, they can be trusted for
4 longer time, to allow inspection by
candidates.
The bill, An Act to provide for the
use of uniform ballot boxes and for the
preservation of ballots cast at cleo
tons was then passed to be enacted
without objection.
Resolve amending Section Il of Arti-
Gle of the Constitution relating to a
bond issue for State roads.
Mr. STEARNS of oxford: Mr..
President at the time | reserved an
opportunity TO speak upon this resolve
| had had no chance to examine the
amendments which had been present
ed, and it was only with that in view
that | did so, because l am not here
to oppose any proposition which has
in view the betterment of our high
ways and the roads of the State. 1t
is only question of how it is best
to proceed in order II accomplish that
purpose.
| am not going to attempt any OPP
position to the bill, but it does occur
to me that the provision of the amend
ment may in the future confront not
but also those who are opposed to the
general provisions which will grow out
Of this proposition l feel that we
would be better satisfied. everyone
would be better satisfied. that the pro-
ponents of the measure and those who
may not be in entire sympathy with it
would be better satisfied, if the word
ing We're not so ambiguous as it is. 1t
amendment in regard to the distribu-
ton of the money among the counties
equitabiy may not meet with such a
construction as We all would agree
upon.
We have had not time to consider
this matter in the manner in which |
think it should have been considered,
and | have no desire TO obstruct the
general purpose; it is for the better
ment of our roads, and the adoption
Of some measure that will work out
that purpose. l have no desire to make
any further remarks upon the question
Mr.. MILLIKEN. Mr.. President, there
should be no politics about good roads,
and good roads measure should not be
a political measure. Those of us that
remember the difficulty with which a
reasonable appropriation was obtained
for good roads at the session of this
Legislature certainly did not expect
that the present administration was as
enthusiastic as it is apparently now OF
course we all understand the origin of
this bill The subject was not mentioned
in the Governors first announcement OF
his proposed special session. He was
invited to Portland to a good roads
meeting. He caught the idea there that
day. There is going to be consider
able amount of money in the state for
good roads at the end of the year i
pointed out year ago that the tax of
six mills for the current year was ex-
cessive. The excess will be on hand al
the end of the year. That might be a
nucleus for good roads. None of us wish
to oppose any move for good roads. |
think it is one of the best economic
moves before the state, and a candidate
for governor has been interested in this
subject for years, and has done as much
as any man in Maine to foster good
roads throughout the state.
speak of this now to point out again
the inconcelvable folly of putting an
important measure like this through
this special session without giving an
opportunity for fun hearing and dis
cussion, and for the presentation of
views upon this subject by men out
side of the Legislature. The wisdom
of the state on good roads is not con-
fined to members of the Legislature, nor
to .the executive department. 1t is said
that because this matter is going to the
people there is no need for considera-
ton; that the people will consider it
when they vote upon it. 1t is precisely
because it is going to the people it
should have consideration here. I wish
to point out here that there is serious
danger in submitting an important mat
ter like this to the people of Maine,
without taking pains to see that it is
fully discussed in advance and present
ed to the people in proper form. i have
doubt whether the amount is large
enough if we are to embark upon a good
roads campaign. Presented to the peo-
pie in a half-baked stage it is possible
that many who might favor it if they
understood it thoroughly, would not fav
or it when it comes to a vote.
] supposed when we started in on this
session that we would have a fair
amount of time for committee hearings,