Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-12
THE HOUSE SESSION.

THE HOUSE SESSION.
The House, Tuesday morning, fol-
lowed last weeks action by the Senate
and approved the Massachusetts bal
lot law in preference to the system
now in use. This measure known as
the Hersey Lii was endorsed by Il to
-, many members being absent.
The bill was brought up by special
assignment from last week by Rep
Smith of Pressure Isle. Judge Smith
moved indefinite postponement, say
ing that the Massachusetts, ballot is
more complex than the present and
called the attention of the members
to a sample ballot. His stand was
supported by DR.. Maybury of Saco.
Rep. Matheson of Ranseley moved
that the question of postponementi be
laid upon the table but was voted
down
Ref. Cook Of Nassalboro, spoke in
favor of the Massachusetts law and
declared that the man voting a
straight ticket doesn't more than half
vote
Representative Durgin of Milo. said
he was one of the oId-fashioned vot-
els Vic w not btlicNt II dtl OlitiiSt
to vote a straight ticket"
strong speech in support of the
new ballot was made by Representa-
tive Kehoe of Portland. He declared
this to be one of the most important
measures of the present session. This
is a case Where we must sink our
personal views he said, land con-
slider the good of the whole people. If
We are to have a secret ballot, let's
have a real one
Representatives Sanborn of South
Portland said he was tempted to
wonder If anything said on the floor
of the House influenced a single vote.
He discussed the allegiance a man
owed to his party and said it had
been charged that the Republicans
had kept the old Australian ballot be-
cause il was supposed by some that
they had an advantage under it.
Then. two years ago, the Democrats
had come into power, and it would
Il seem, since they made no change, as
if the Australian ballot gave them
/ some advantage There is every rea-
son. he declared, for the demand
and for the asking for a change in
our system of voting. The present
system deprives the individual voter
of expressing his individual prefer
enee We have no right to legislate so
that the people cannot express their
full opinion.
Representative Austin of Phillips
said that both of the major parties at
their conventions last year had en-
dorsed the Massachusetts ballot. The
i ha m tho o. GlD j.
| ture instructed to support it and he
| was under the impression that the
Democrats had the same instructions
Judge Smith again called attention
| to the difference between the primary
| and the Massachusetts ballots. Rep
resentative Dunton of Belfast, when
| speaking in favor of the change
| charged Judge Smith with using
| the word crooked" and was correct
| ed by that gentleman. MIR. Dunton
| apologized and said it was Mr.. Dur
l gin who used the word. The gentle
| man from Milo explained that when
| he said crooked he meant a split
| ballot.
Representative Rolfe spoke in favor
| of a change He said when he was a
| candidate for representative, he
| wanted TO be chosen on his own mer-
| it's and not because he was a party
| man He wanted TO go on record as
| being in favor of the change.
The yeas and nays were taken or
| he question and the motion to indefi-
| nitely postpone was lost II to so.
The bill was then given its first
l reading on the motion of Represen-
| tative Sanborn of South Portland.