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

reasonable compensation. Those who
are holding these offices at present
asked for and accepted them with
thorough knowledge of the amount of
present salaries. In most eases sharp
contest was made for each 5!fit'e, and
the successful candidates have no
right to expect that their salaries would
be increased during their term Of Of
flee. These officers practically made a
trade with the State, when they ac-
cepted these offices, to perform their
duties for the salaries then fixed, and
it seems to me that they are in honor
bound to carry out their contracts.
If any of them should resign or die,
so that others would have to be APP
pointed 10 fill the vacancies, / have no
doubt there would be many applicants
for each place at the salaries now FIX
ed, and all competent men.
The State trcasurer's report for
1912 shows that he paid out during
that year for salaries for public oftI-
GERS. including the judiciary, but not
including the pay roll OF the LegIs-
lature. about five hundred thousand
dollars. An increase of salary as pro-
posed in this bill, from $1,000 to $4,000
would be an increase of about fifty-slx
per cent. | have no doubt that many
of the fifty-two bills providing for
an increase of salary of other pub
lie officers above referred to, In jug
ice to all, may call for as large {.
per cent. of increase as does this; and
no doubt the public officers who have
not asked the Legislature at this ses-
sion for any increase of salary, in
many instances will, in justice, require
proportionately large increases. II
this percentage of increase is applied
TO all the officers of the State, it
would increase the salary roll two
hundred and eighty thousand dollare.
which would have to be r1ised by tax
alton in some form or other
Hence | think You will see the JUS
tice of having this subject patiently
and carefully considered taking much
more time than is possible for the
Legislature, at this state of its ses-
sion TO give to this important mat
ter.
If you should feel that there are
any special cases among the fifty-twD
pending, where the salaries are SO
radically low as to demand an in
crease for the next two years, 7 would
not be opposed to the sa5ge,. in case
You provide for O commission Il, read
just the entire salary list, whose re-
port may be acted upon by the next
Legislature.
l cannot believe but what the dis
tinguished judge of our Superior
Court will agree with the position
am taking upon this matter, and
would prefer to wait two years for
an increase of salary rather than to
be subjected to criticism as he might
be under the act which you have
passed.
That part of the act which changes
the jurisdiction of the Superior Court
Tor kennebec county and the Superior
court for Cumberland county. In both
civil and criminal matters, in my
judgment is not of such Importance
that the administration of justice II.
either county will be In any practical
way hindered or delayed for the next
two years on account of my veto of
this act, for the reasons above given.
but l do not know that | have any
serious objection to such amendments
or changes in the matter of jurlsaic-
ton, as are proposed by this meas
me in a separate bill from that In
which the salary of the justice of the
Superior Court for Kennebec county ia
iixed, especially as 1t includes the tur-
isdiction of two different courts in
TWO counties of the State and applies
TO the salary of only one of the
judges of said court.
trust that you may. act upon the
suggestions herein contained, rather
than present to me for approval the
fifty-two measures for increase OF
salaries, or any considerable part
thereof, at this session of the Legis-
lature
6SigneO WILLIAM T. HAINFS.
The PRESIDENT: The vote where.
by the Senate passed this bill to be-
enacted is, under the provisions of the
Constitution, automatically reconsid-
cred
The question is: Shall this bill be-
come a law notwithstanding the OBJ
lection of the Governor?
Mr. BAILEY of Penobscot: Mr..
President, l move that we POSTPONE
the vote upon this subject until to-
morrow morning.
The PRESIDENT: The Chair will
state that since the point was raised
in the other message. the Chair has
| examined very carefully the question,
and rules, as then, that veto message
may not be deferred indefinitely, but
1t may be deferred for a day certain.
The question is upon the motion of
the senator from Penobscot
Mr. BUTTON of Kennebec. Mr..
President, l was going to suggest a
little longer time, and would suggest
| next Tuesday morning.
Mr.. Wing of Franklin; Mr.. President.
it seems to me that we should act
upon the matter a little sooner than
next Tuesday, and I ask for the yeas
and nays upon this motion.
Mr.. BAILEY: Mr.. President, before
the vote is put, perhaps to save time
in calling the yeas and nays, if the
senator will state his objection, per-
haps roll call could be obviated.
Mr. WING: Mr.. President, We are
getting towards the last part of the
session and there are a great many
matters pending before the commit
tees, and it seems to me that the mat