Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-19
Twelve Amendments Adopted By the Senate From
43 IntrOduCed---First Afternoon Session Gains
Day==House Passes Corporation Sole Bill
Governor Hane Veoes Bill Relating to snnebec Superior CouSenae
Votes to Insist on Mass Ballot Action and Appoints Conn., Of Conference
--Mosys Autobiography Bill Passes, Tuesday, to Be Engosssd.
THE SECOND VETO.

Governor Haines accorded his second
veto during the 18th Legislature at
the Tuesday afternoon session, this
time upon the act relating to the ju-
risdiction of the superior court in Ken
nebee county, providing for an increase
in the salary of the judge from s2500
to $4,000.
A message of explanation accom-
panying the returned bill declares If
such action as is proposed by the bill
We're carried out all along the line, it
would mean an increase of $3.50, 0003to
the State salary roll.
Hence" he continues, 81 think you
will see the justice of having this SUBJ
ject patiently and carefully considered,
taking much more time than is pos
sible for the Legislature, at this state
of its session. to give to this very inn
portant matter.
In another part of the message the
Governor says:
Il cannot believe but what the dis
tinguished judge of our superior court
win agree with the position / am TAX
ing upon this matter, and would pre-
fer to wait two years for an increase
# his salary rather than to be SUBJ
jected to criticism as he might be I'M
Ter the act which you have passed"
Fifty Two Like Bills.
The message outlines the present
status of 81 measures Of like intent
now pending before the Legislature,
md continues:
"Sueh a situation at this time is un-
'sual, and | 10 not believe it is possi-
le. within the time that the. sIsegfslature
likely to be in session. unless the ses-
ION is to be prolonged to an unusual
myth, that these matters can receive
roper consideration 1t amounts 10 a
Try extensive revision of the salary list
public officers. am willing to admit,
is claimed by many of these officers,
at the salary list has not been revised
NJ a number of years and that such a
evision is necessary.
by this | refer to the whole list OF
| ublfc officers. both State and county;
ut If an attempt Is made to do this be-
re the present Legislature, in the short
me it is liable to sit from now on, in
ny Judgment, it will be accomplished
My. by extensive log-rolling. most
crnicious method of legislation. At the
earrings before the committee probably
nly the parties interested in getting
/ 1t. The State will have no one there to
| resent its side Of the question. That
de will be left wholly In the hands OF
/ lie committee, with little opportunity
/ or obtaining all necessary information
Method Proposed.
The Governor feels that much bet
l or and more efficient method would
l e to pass an order appointing a COM
/ nittee of seven members, three from
/ ne Senate and four from the House,
nd not all of one political party from
ther branch; to be appointed by the
resident of the Senate and Speaker
f the House, with authority, between
l iow and the next session of the Legis-
/ AZURE, to examine into the question
/ the salaries of all public officers,
l o recommend such salaries as they
| leem proper for each, and report to
| he next Legislature, at the beginning
| f the session, providing them With
l such data as they find applicable to
| 4ach particular case or group of cases.
L In this way time can be taken to re-
l Use the salary list in a non-partisan,
j impartial and fair manner, just to the
/ Ulcers and to the tax payers alike.
The message is merciless in defining
| he positions of these officers who now
seek an increase of salary. The Gov
l ernor says:
"They are all charged with the per-
| tormance of public duties which takes
l heir time, and for which they should
~eceive reasonable compensation. Those
/ Tho are holding these offices at pres
n
4 thorough knowledge of the amount
# the present salaries. In most cases,
Il sharp contest was made for each
| flee; and the successful candidates
ave no right to expect that their sal
i ries would be increased during their
j ERIN of office. These officers practical
Y made trade with the State, when
i hey accepted these offices, to perform
l heir duties for the salaries then fixed
! nd it seems to me that they are In
y | lonor bound TO carry out their con-
racts"
Regarding a committee to be appoint
1 4 the Governor declares:
5 IF the whole subject is passed over
4 the next Legislature and a conf
l mission or committee appointed to at
l end to the matter. as above suggested
the meantime the public will have
chance to be heard. through the coll
/ INNS of the press, on the stump, and
n other ways, upon their side of the
question"
Governor Haines reviews the history
f this court, telling of the 22 years
Continued on Page Eighty