Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-04-04

Mr. Chairman, the suggestion of Tx
senator from Kennebec in regard (
this committee which reported this bill
and in regard to the source of the bill
although not so intended. probably. ant
seems 10 be so insulting that it de-
mands word from me.
In the first place | wish to say in re-
gard to the history of this bill thai
neither of the officials referred to CON
nected with the Insane hospital kne"
anything about this bill or had any
thing to do with its Introduction in any
way shape or manner. | drew the BIT
myself after consultation with STATE
Auditor Hatch, State Auditor Stevens,
and state Auditor Callahan, and after
reading the report of the investigating
committee. The bill was introduced by
Senator Richardson after further exanI-
ination by him and after some modtlica-
tfons which were made.
Now as long as the matter has been
referred TO in the way that IL has by
the senator from kennebet, | want to
say word III regard to the successive
action taken by the various Legislatures
of which | have been member to im-
prove the conditions under which the
business affairs of the institutions of
the State have been conducted, have
had something TO do with several prop
ositions of that kind; With one for COM
petitive bids, in 1909, and the opposi-
ton to every one of the propositions has
come from one source. Manning ).
Campbell, treasurer and steward of the
hospital. Mr.. Campbell appeared before
the committees in 1903. in opposition
to what seemed to make for business
like methods He was the only one who
opposed it. He has opposed various
proposftions of that kind And every
time during my services in the Legis-
lature that a proposition of this sort
looking to business-like methods for the
purchase of supplies has been attempt
ed. there has been opposition from just
one source. namely, from Manning S.
Campbell treasurer of the Insane hospi-
tai =.
make no charges against him and
his honesty But when a proposition is
presented to the Senate in the light in
which II tldS Deel presented DA. ltit SGtA-
ator from kennebec and it is stated
that this bill is the product of a grudge
of another official, and that the commit
tee was influenced in such a Way as
he has stated, think il is due to the
people Of the State of Maine that
should state the facts and for that rea
son | have taken the time of the SER
ate To state It
Mr. RICHARDSON: Mr. President.
the discussion seems TO have gone far
aiield from the original matter.
We brought in here bill which APP
plies to eight institutions of the State.
In some way we seem To have narrowed
down. To one institution only. That
was not the intention of the committee
or of anyone connected with the bill.
| made no iHsnuatieH or charges
against the man referred to. ! never
saw the man before l came To Augusta.
We regard him above suspicion. | say
he had no business TO go in the eorri
doris of this House and lobby against
this bill that applied to every institu
ton in the State. In regard to the 9TH
er official | have met him but once or
twice | never hanqneted in the ma
hoganY hall referred To by the senator.
so that | do not know whether he APP
proved of this bill. In regard to paying
for farm produce | believe perfectly in
the sentiments advanced by the senator
from Lincoln, that this is the way all
supplies should be paid for. The bills
should be approved and go to the State
auditor and not paid at the back door
of any institution.
We found Very strong opposition to
dis proposition and in Difference 10
thsst prop sitioR. we presented this
emendmcnt chat the treasurer might
$lea0 for the payment of small
bills. How. IS that different from the
present method?
Nj. rOI.I. of York: ar. Pr5 sioent, |
did hot enter into discussion OH this
matter because | a,n not enough ia
iailiaf witt the bill or The eireum-
stances, but it seems unfortunate To
mo chat the matter Should have taken
lie l.ne it has taken. and L do not see
hoy the bill can receive the due con-
siderat,on which it should have under
the discussion which has taken place at
!sts. time.
1t seems to me that it has developed
into practically an investiga ton OF two
officials of State institutions. Ill has
nfrrowed itself down iii the minis CT
members of this body where they Will
Stand by one man there or where they
will stand by another man, in one sin
gle Institution. If we believe in the SUI
,periEtepdent OF the institution then
ave shall vote for the BILL II We be-
iievc in the treasu OF that insttu-
ton then we Shall vote against the bill.
do no, think Il is a far PROPOSE
ticn Ia thls time To put up To the mem
hers of ths body, for | do not believe
any Of us want to take any sides il
washing the dirty linen OF any Official
OF any Institution Of TIE State of
Maine. 1t seems to me that there is
rotten in Denmark" | did not hear
anything of this bill until within day
or two. but there are those who seem
- be very strongly opposed to it, and
others seem to be very strongly in ia
ver of ILL., Whatever was the intent of
the bill. however, broad a scope WAS
intended. ut this stage it Il gotten
down to Il contest between TWO Off
ciais of ii great Institution. | am not
here ia take sides for oil her of those