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

1effed TO me committee on leSdi al
fairs. and came from the Senate in
that branch Indefinitely postponed.
On motion by Mr.. Lawry of Fair
field. the resolve was laid, upon the
table.
From the Senate: Report of COM
mittee on salaries and fees which was
instructed by an order of the Lcgis-
lature to inquire into the expediency
of appointing a special committee TO
sit during the recess and after adj
journment Of the present session and
inquire into the amount of compensa :
ton received by the State and county
officials whose salaries are determin-
able by the Legislature and to report
to the next Legislature such amount
as will make the salaries of such Of
ficials equitable throughout the State,
reporting in accompanying order re-
lating to salaries of officials.
In the Senate this report was read,
accepted and sent down for concur
renee: in the House the order was
indefinitely postponed. 1t now comes
from the Senate that branch insisting
upon its action and asking for COM
mittee of conference.
Mr.. Bowler of Bethel moved that
the House reeede from it's former ac-
I ton and concur with the Senate.
Mr.. BOWLER: Mr.. Speaker and
gentlemen of the House, | hold in my
hand q message from his Excellency.
the Governor, which | have been re-
quested To read To this House. This
message has an important bearing
upon the subject before us, and | viii
read it as requested.
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatiyes:
Gentlemen-I herewith return to you
AN Act relating to the jurisdiction of
the superior court in the county of
Kennebec, and to fix the salary of the
judge thereof without my approval.
My reasons for this are as follows:
I understand there are 50 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 situation at this time is UNI
usual, and do not believe it is posi-
BILE. within the time that the Legis-
lature is likely to be in session, I'M
i less the session is TO be prolonged to
n an unusual length that these matters
can receive proper consideration. II
amounts to IA very extensive revision
of the salary list of public officers.
am willing to admit as is claimed by
many of these officers. that the sal
81 airy list has not been revised for a
II number of years and that such re-
tsYiSion.is necessary. tt' ttf
~ hits T. refer to the whole list of
RtWlz Hcers, both State and coun-
"a tys bu#if an attempt is made TO do
this bcfore the present Legislature in
the short time il is liable to sit from
now on, in my Judgment ii VIII be ac :
complished only by extensive log-roll-
ing, most pernicious method of leg
islation. AT the hearings before the
committee probably only the parties
interested in getting their salaries in
creased will be represented The
State will have no one there to pre-
sent its 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
I formation.
A much better method in my judg.
pointing a committee of seven mem.
bers, three from the Senate and foui
from the House, and not all of one DO.
litical party from either branch: to be
appointed by the President OF the Sen.
ate and Speaker of the House Will
authority, between now and tie next
session Of the Legislature. to examine
into the question of the salaries of al
public officers, to recommend sucl
salaries as they deem proper for each
and report to the next Legislature. a.
the beginning of the session, providing
them with such data as they find ap.
plicable to each particular case Oh
. group of eases.
In this way time can be taken t.
v revise the salary list in a bipartisan
impartial and fair manner, just to Tho
officers and TO the tax payers alike
The question of salaries of public
officers is not a party question. Mer
who occupy these positions are entitled
to just and fair compensation, with
out regard to their political alliances
They are all charged with the perform
ance of public duties which takes theil
time, and for Which they should receiv,
reasonable compensation. Those VIII,
are holding these offices at presen
asked for and accepted them with :
thorough knowledge of the amount o
present salaries In most cases a shar,
contest was made Tor each office, ano
the successful candidates have no rich
to expect that their salaries would b.