Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-03


"Kennebec Journal Company
Printing and Publishing
Augusta, Maine.
January %, 1915.
Dear Sir:
We acknowledge receipt OF order for
1896 additional copies Of Senate and
House Registers. pursuant to Joint order
of the House and Senate, finally passed
today.
We beg to inform you that the print
ing on this order has been suspended by
order of the Governor and Council.
Sincerely yours,
KENNEBEC JOURNAL CO..
W L. 1AAWRY. ESQ,
Sec. of Senate, Augusta, Maine.
The state printer and binder, under
the circumstances, cannot be expected
to carry out and execute the orders Of
this legislature. They cannot serve two
masters. and the work is at standstill
awaiting the decision Of this question
between the legislative and the executive
departments of state. If they obey the
orders of the legislature they meet the
threat of the Governor and Council that
they will not be paid. On the other
hand, unless this legislature has full
control of its Legislative printing and
binding, it cannot further proceed with
its work, and all business at this ses-
sion must necessarily cease.
After the Governor and Council had
passed this vote, which the Chair mas
read. and held up and suspended the
ifa
ing and binding, they adjourned, and
went to their homes; when they have
their next meeting the Chair has not
been informed. The condition of the
business Of this legislature as to its
printing and binding at the present time
is intolerable. A great mass of legisla-
ton has been presented, on which print
ing and binding has been ordered, and
a large number of bills and measures.are
ready to be presented on which printing
and binding must necessarily be had. 1t
Is useless for this legislature to receive
bills Or reports and 10 pass further Or
ders in relation to its printing and bind
ing. or to proceed further with the bus
mess Of this legislature until it has de-
termined and defined its powers and du-
ties. and settled the question whether the
legislature has charge of its own printing
and binding or the executive department
Of the State.
Under the constitution, the legislative
and executive departments Of the state
are separate and distinct, neither has
any right to interfere with or attempt to
perform the duties of the other. If this
legislature in it's orders for printing and
ohar1 or ~
fered with, or usurped the powers, priv
ileges and prerogatives OF the executive,
then we should Immediately retire from
our position and do this promptly and
without delay in justice and respect to
the high and exalted office OF the exec
utive. If, on the other hand. We are
satisfied that in what we have done, ami
in the orders passed by this legislature,
I'VE are clearly and strictly within our
constitutional rights and powers. and
plainly engaged only in the performance
of our usual legislative duties, we ought
at once to assert that right in no uncer-
tain manner. If we confess our lnaoll-
ity to meet this present condition, ana
to settle this question, and ind our
selves helpless to carry on the WORK OF
this legislature, then our duty TO the
people who sent us here demands that
we at once adjourn and go home.
The Chair awaits the pleasure of the
Senate.
On motion by Mr. Chatto of Hancock,
It was
ORDERED, the House concurring, that
the Secretary of the Senate be directed
and instructed to inform the state printer
and the state binder that this legislature
is the sole constitutional judge of the
necessity. character. quantity and time
limit of it's printing and binding; that
it's determination of these questions is
final and not subject to the review OF
any other department or government
that the legislature now in session has
not delegated to any person or depart
ment outside of the legislature, any au-
thority or control over it's legislative
printing and binding, and that in the
matter of legislative printing and bind
ing the state printer and the state bind
err are expected to promptly respect
ohey and execute the orders Of the leg1s-
iature.
Sent down for concurrence.
Papers from the House disposed Of in
concurrence.
From the House: An Act to amend
Chapter l21 Of the Private Laws Of 1911,
relating to Board Of Overseers Of the
Poor OF the City of Portland.
In the House this bill was referred to
the committee on legal affairs
hui ElQhprtV
iberland the bill was tabled.
From the House: An Act amendatory
of Sections q and IS of Chapter 12s Of
the Public Laws of 1913, relating to cor
porations for the operation OF telegraphs
or telephones and other public utilities.
In the House this bill was referred to
the committee on telegraphs and tele-
phones.
On motion by Mr.. Cole Of York the bill
was tabled.
The following bills. petitions. ETC..
were presented and on recommendation