Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-23

State to loan its credit Tor road pur-
poses: and, as | understand it, the
Democrats of this House, the Rerubli-
cans of this House. the men from the
| cities and the men from the rural
communities are all practically in
favor Of this proposition We all want
good roads, and ultimately OF course
I VIII come up the matter of Legislative
action at the next session of the Leg
/ islature or at some time in the future,
/ This is simply permissive, and until
we can get this there will he nothing
done of d practical nature or an eX-
tensiye improvement of the roads of
this state.
1t is a humiliating fact. hut never
! theless an Wquestonable fact. that
our good old State Of Maine is behind
every other state among the Eastern
! states on this matter of good roads
and it IS a fact that no other state
among the Eastern states will be SO
much benefited from some system of
good roads as would the State ef
Maine. Now, gentlemen, do not want
| to discuss the proposition at all be-
cause, as | understand it. we are all
agreed upon it. and If that is SO then
there is no use in my taking up the
/ time of this House in any discussion of
| the matter
The CHAIRMAN. Is there anything
further TO be said upon the matter?
Mr.. HERSEY of Houltun Mr.
Chairman, / wish to offer an amend
ment to House Bill No. l, strike out
in the eighth and ninth lines the word
at any one time. so that said see
ton as amended shall read as follows.
Except that the Legislature may au-
thorfze the issuing of bonds not ex-
ceeding two million dollars in amount
payable within If years at rate Of
interest not exceeding four per cent a
year payable semi-annualiy, which
bonds or their proceeds shall be de-
voted solely to the building and main
/ tanning of state highways
The CHAIRMAN In other words.
that that may be the total issuance
of all bonds for State road work, new
er to exceed $1,000, 900?
Mr. HERsEY: Not unless we have
other authority. Let me state my po-
sition. / think, as a lawyer, left as
it is, any Legislature might issue
might vote upon and issue under THAI
authority repeatedly. l do not think
it is the intention, and it ought not
to be the intention of the authors Of
this act, or this bill or resolve, that
that authority should be given
think it should be limited to one bond
issue at the present time, and if the
future should necessitate another is
sue there might be another authority
given.
The CHAIRMAN: Tie COMMITTEES
10
tleman from Houlton in regard 10 an
amendment. Is there anything fur
ther to be said upon that subject?
Mr. HERSEY: Mr.. Chairman, in or
der to make myself plain, l would
suggest that if a S2.O00,000 issue is not
enough to do the work we should
make it more. but do not repeat.
Mr. AMES of Norridgewock: Mr.
Chairman, | would like TO ask if that
means that there shall not be out
standing any more than $2,0O0000 at
any one time, but that it should be
maintained al $2,000,0O0 after payments
We're made
The CHAIRMAN. Will the gentle
man from Houlton please explain the
natter
Mr. HERsEY Mr.. Chairman,
don't understand it SO I think what
we raise-we are authorized to raise
certain amount by constitutional
amendment for the building of good
roads, and l do not think that we
ought to give that authority to every
Legislature that might meet in reg
ular or special sessions and issue 81
100000 or more of bonds on the top
of what We already have
Mr. SCAFES of Wastbroek Mr.
/ Chairman, ! don't think the gentle
man from Houlton comprehended real
~ the question of the gentleman from
NorridgeWoek. AS | understood il, hts
question was this: Supposing there
should be s., 600 o9o of bonds issued,
and supposing thai that S2,0o1.0o0 BY
| some means or other should be paid
| IN 10 years. entirely iiquidated. could
| tha state then thereafter make an
other bond issue of 81 o00o 600 TO meet
the needs of the State under this act
OF tins resolve as drawn. or, after that
Gee was once issued and paid
/ whether any more bonds could he IS
sued. Tbat is TIE question as I I'M
derstand H.
Mr. AMEiS Or even ~ less sum.
| but not Ia exceed $2,O0o. oad.
Mr. HERSEY: Ny opinion is, MI
! Chairman. if | may answer the gen
I temau from Westbrook. that this re
/ solve is for II single bond issue and
| stops there. | think that the bill as
Il is now unamended means that YOU
may keep up issuing bonds at every
/ session Of the Legislature. whether
| general or special
!