Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-06
SENATE.
Wednesday. March 5, 1913.

NeulttSudSs -
Senate called to order by the Presi
dent.
Prayer by Rev. Lewis H. Clarke of
West Gardiner
Journal of previous session read and
approved.
Mr. STEARNS of Oxford: Mr. Presi-
dent. | desire al this time to Introduce
an order. out OF order. in relation TO
hoidin. tie sessions of the Senate, and
move its passage:
Unanimous consent was given the
order was read and passed, as follows
ordered that the Senate hold one
session day commencing at so
O'Clock A. N, unless otherwise ordered.
PApers from the House disposed Of
in concurrence.
The PRESIDENT: The following bill
comes from the. House: An Act rela-
tive to municipal elections in the city
of Augusta. This bill proposes an
amendment to the cnarter of the city
of Augusta, and contains an emergency
clause providing that it snail take eff
feet when approved. In the House II
was received under suspension of the
rules. given its several readings ard
was passed to be engrossed. 1t cannot
be received under the joint rules except
by unanimous consent.
Mr. MOREY of AndroscogSin: Mr..
President, / move the rules be sus-
pended. and this hil be received and
Cor the following reasons: Ii seems
that at the election to be held here
Monday next in Augusta that there are
three candidates in the field Under
the charter as il now stands in the
city of Augusta a majority vote is re-
quired TO elect any person TO the office
of mayor the first day. If there is no
election the first day. then / think four
days afterwards, or a short time after
wards, a second meeting is called. That
also requires a majority vote to elect,
and if after two attempts there is no
choice, then a plurality vote elects.
AS understand il, both candidates
who are now in the House of Repre-
sentatives, one representing the Repub-
lican party and the other representing
the Democratic party, both candidates
for election in Augusta, ask that this
BiiI Tie pdoStd fitlS tiiN
emergency clause so that one election
will settle the matter by a plurality
vote, and not render possible and quite
probable three elections TO determine
who shall be named as the choice of
tho people of Augusta for mayor
For the. reason that the bill comes
from the House with an emergency
clause, and the published reports, and
from other gentlemen will
know whether they have been correct
" informed or not,-tilat both sides
desire this it seems We might well in
this instance suspend the rules and re-
eeive this bill and put it through its
readings and pass it to be engrossed,
for all persons will be interested to,
nave the election settled the first day.
Mr. JERSEY of aAroostook: Mr.
President. I would like to inquire of
The senator through the Chair whether
he considers that this bill would be of
any consequence unless this emergency
was put through.
Mr.. MOREY Mr. President. | will
state to the senator through the Chair
that | think not, unless 1t is done here
after.
As matter Of fact, do not know of
any cities outside of Augusta that re-
quire a majority vote to elect on the
first day. For future legislation it'll
would be good legislation. for there is
no reason why a plurality should not
elect on the first day as well as later.
Mr.. HERSEY: MIR. President, would
like to inquire if the senator thinks this
ought to be passed as an emergency
measure under the circumstances?
Mr. MORLEY hMr. President. if it'll
were only the request of one party, |
should say pot. but / understand it isl
the request of both candidates.
Mr.. HERSEY: Mr. President, howl
about passing this in the interest of
public peace and safety? How does it
affect that
Mr.. MoREY.::f ~ Mr.. President, ! do
not think the gentleman has the exact
terms of the emergency clause. l re-
menbers for instance, a bill introduced|
early in the session coming from his
county. where it was desired to save
the expense of printing stationery
which went through under the emarg
tucN clause.
Mr.. HERSEY: Mr. President, help-
ed 10 stop it, did ! not?
CAT this point the Act was read by
the secretary
Mr.. HERSEY: Mr.. President, would
like TO have the senator from Andro-
scoggin discuss the safety clause.
Mr. MOREY: Mr.. President. l will
say have no doubt. if the distinguish
ed senator from Aroostook desires to
know, that 1t is unquestionably for the
safety Of the people that Mr.. Newbert
be elected.
Mr. BUTTON of Kennebec: Mr.
President. | suppose that inasmuch as
this is a matter that affects my city
ought To say just word in regard to
IL.
Ny recollection is that this pro-
vision in our city charter is one that
has been in il ever since the city was
Incorporated in lS4S, if my memory is
correct.
Now a great emergency has arisen,
an exceedingly great emergency! For
the first time in number of years we
fortunately or unfortunately have
three candidates. 1t was not my pur-
nose ia mention any names in this