Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-21

unless there is need of regulation.
Where there is need of regulation. it is
evident that the city is not doing its
duty for the people. l think that ev-
erything should be included in the
bill
ON motion therefor, the amendment
was rejected
Mr.. COLE. Mr. Chairman, think
the senator from Androscoggin has
some amendment which he wishes to
offer under the express company def
nition
Mr.. MOREY: | have not prepared
that amendment, but il it is going to
be entertained, / Will sit down and
draft one very quickly, but if it is not
to be adopted, there is no need of do
ing it.
Mr.. MILLIKEN: Mr. Chairman, /
wish to announce to the committee
that the Senate as soon as it arises
will have To receive a message from
the Governor, and it occurs to me that
the committee might rise now, receive
the message, and that the senator
might draw his amendment and then
the Senate could again so into a COM
iIlllltNT III TIE w lt'it anu tOilSlutl TILT
amendment.
l move that the committee rise and
that the chairman report progress and
ask leave to sit again.
The motion was agreed to and the
committee arose.
IN SENATE.
Senate called To order by the Presi-
dent
Mr.. WING of Franklin: Mr.. Presi-
dent, the committee desires to report
progress and ask leave to sit again.
The report was accepted and leave was
granted the committee to sit again at
such time as shall be set.
The following message was received
from the Executive Department, and
was read by the Secretary.
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
Gentlemen-I herewith return To you
AN Act relating 10 the jurisdiction of
the superior court in the county of
kennebec, and TO fix the salary of the
judge thereof" without my approval
Ny reasons for this are as follows:
| understand there are SO measures
now pending before the Legislature,
for the increase of salaries of public
officers, all of which have been re-
ferred to committees, but upon which
hearings have not as yet been held.
Such a situation at this time is un
usual, and | do not believe it is posi-
BILE, within the time that the Legis-
lature is likely to be IN session, unless
the session is to be prolonged to an
unusual length, that these matters can
receive proper consideration. 1T
amounts to a very extensive revision
of the salary list of public officers.
am willing to admit, as is claimed by
many of these officers, that the salary
list has not been revised for a number
of years and that such a revision is
necessary.
BY this I refer to the whole list of
public officers, both State and county;
but if an attempt is made to do this
before the present Legislature, in the
short time it is liable to sit from now
on, in my judgment it will be accom-
plished only by extensive log-rolling,
n most pernieious method of legisla-
ton At the hearings before the COM
mittees probably only the parties in
terested in getting their salaries in
creased will be represented. The
State will have no one there to pre-
sent it's side of the question. That
side will be left wholly in the hands
of the committee. with little oppor-
tunity for obtaining all necessary in
formation.
This is not reason, ii is true, why the
salaries should not be based on diff
ferent schedule for the future; but the
matter is one which, in every way, de-
mands much consideration, careful
thought and patient work. to determine
what is right and proper remunera-
ton in each case.
If the whole subject is passed over
to the next Legislature and a commits
sion or committee appointed to attend
to the matter. as above suggested, in
the meantime the public will have a
chance to be heard, through the col
umns of the press, on the stump, and
in other ways, upon their side of the
question.
In regard to the salary which this
bill especially provides for, L wish to
say, first, in my judgment the present
salary is not as large as it should be,
but whether it should be increased from
$2700, as 1t now is, to $4,000, is ques-
ton. From 1878 to 1890, a period of %
years, no less a person than our emf
nent chief justice was judge of this
court. During this time his salary was
$1,000, $1725, and l think for year or
two 5000, and it is now. During the
greater part of this period the court
had full concurrent jurisdiction with
the supreme judicial court in all civil
cases in Kennebec county, except real
actions and equity matters; and ii
had fun criminal jurisdiction. includ-
ing the trial of murder cases. From
1890 to less than two years ago the
Hon. Oliver G.. Hall was judge of this
court with said salary of $2700, and
with substantially the same jurisdic-
ton which the court now has. The
present incumbent has held the posi-
ton for less than two years and is
eminently fitted for it, and without
doubt is giving complete satisfaction
to the public, and l should be the last
man in Maine to detract i'm any way
from the influence and dignity of any
of our judicial officers; rather would
| strain a point to see them fully paid
for their services; but they are public
officers and the question of taxation is
constantly before us
4 i