Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-17

Now, as my Brother Wheeler has
stated in the clear words of the Con-
stitution there is no dispute that post
masters would not have a right to sit
here, that is, any one holding office UNI
der the United States; there is no ques-
ton but what postmaster does hold
an office under the United States. And
the burden of proof is on the opponents
of this measure to show that postmas-
tiers are within the excepted clause, and
the burden is not upon the proponents.
Now, in regard to the matter of fair
ness. When we came to this House
were all ordered to stand and raise our
right hands and take the oath. What
was that oath? That oath was that we
would support the Constitution of the
United States and of this State, so nelp
us God. What man here can say that
any man who did less than his duty when
he had the right to believe that the Con-
stitution of his own State was being de-
filed and set at naught by men coming
here and sitting here who had no con-
stitutonal or legal right to be in this
body. 1t was the duty of every man here,
if he had that feeling and that belief, to
raise that question.
The proponents of this measure ,eply
appeal to the common sense of the mem
bers here, and this thing is not a nues-
ton of law. The Constitution is not. writ.
ten for lawyers. The judgment Of the
members of this House is as good as the
| Judgment of any body on earth. ZAP
plause).
Mr.. COOK of Vassalboro. Mr.. Speak
er, | move that we lay the matter upon
f1hl Tho Il
journ.
The SPEAKER: The gentleman will
have to put one motion at a time.
Mr.. COOK: Then move that the mat
ter lie upon the table
The SPEAKER: The gentleman from
Vassalboro, Mr.. Cook. moves that the
question of reconsideration. which is now
before the House. lie upon the table.
Mr.. ScATES of Westbrook: Mr.. Speak
| er, would say. and of course the Speak
er knows that to make a motion to lie
on the table, a date must be assigned for
its consideration.
The SPEAKER VIII the gentleman
from Nassalboro suggest a date for the
further consideration of this question?
Mr.. COOK: At o'clock this afternoon
The SPEAKER: The gentleman names
O'Clock this afternoon.
Mr.. NEWBERT of Augusta: Mr.
Speaker, / do not wish to debate this mo-
ton, but I think the House will agree
with me that we have all been doing a
great deal of thinking this morning /
have some doubt whether this House is
Just in the mood to vote on this propo-
sition. 1t has occurred to me that it
might be well to hay this whole matter
until next week There is no great haste
now, no pressure upon us. | doubt the
advisabiity of continuing upon the mat
ter this afternoon, and ! should be will
ing the whole thing should be put over
until next week
Mr.. AUSTIN of Phillips: Mr.. Speaker
| rise to point of inquiry.
The SPEAKER: VIII the gentleman
state his point of inquiry
Mr. AUSTIN: | recall, | think, the
passage of concurrent resolution of
the Senate, that when we adjourn we
were to adjourn until Tuesday morn
ing next, so | don't see how we can
adjourn; we might possibly take> It
recess.
Mr.. SCATES: Mr. Speaker, | fully
agree with the motion of the gentle
man from Nassalboro. We have been
having a strenuous time here for this
week, and | think if this matter could
be assigned for next Wednesday that
we might get together and smooth and
iron this thing out.
Mr.. COOK: Mr.. Speaker. | WOULD /
move that this matter be assigned for
next Wednesday, at ; o'clock. for fur
Their consideration.
Mr. AUSTIN: | would move to
amend that motion by striking out
the WORDS 80 o'clock and inserting the
words Half past seven o'clock in the
evening"" and | will state briefly my
reason for doing SO. Wednesday is
d general committee day. There are
several hearings already advertised
before our committees for Wednesday
afternoon If we are going TO give
this matter long consideration so that
we will have to take time outside of
the regular morning session, it would
seem to me that it would meet with
the approval of the majority of the
members of the House that we adj
journ until Wednesday evening, or al
some other date than Wednesday aft
ernoon, when we have SO many impor
tant committee hearings,
The SPEAKER: The gentleman
"A Jill HliilpS, MI. Auotiii' i'ofV7 ~
amend by substituting Wednesday
evening at seven thirty o'clock for
Wednesday at two O'Clock in the aft
ernoon. Is it the pleasure of the
House that this amendment be adopt
ed?
Mr.. BOWLER of Bethel: Mr..
Speaker. if it would be agreeable and
if it would be in order under this
amendment, l would suggest tina.
there are various reasons why Thurs
day evening would be very much bet
| ter for some of us than Wednesday
evening, and ! would suggest that the
time be fixed for Thursday evening at
the same hour
Mr. HIGGINS of Brewer: Mr..
| Speaker. if it is in order. / would Oh
fer an amendment to the amendment
| making the hour at IL o'clock.