Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-01

lieye we should leave this matter where
it is and put the whole responsibility up
on him, and If he says he will override
the votes of this legislature, it is our
duty to vote on still, believing that we
have a committee on ways and bridges
made UP of honest men. There is not an
attempt on the part OF any man to play
politics or get an appropriation in this
section or that section, but tney are all
attempting to do justice TO all sections
alike. hear every bill and give each one
appropriate consideration.
They ask for amount that may be ap-
propriated and recommended by this
legislature. 1t is the policy OF the legis-
lature to take the recommendations OF
its honest committees, as a rule, and
pass them, and it has been in the past
| the policy of the governors to take the
recommend atoms of the legislature as
4 they came to them, and If they are ac-
cording to the Constitution of the State
lsof Maine, either sign these measures
when they come to them or return them
unsigned, or allow them to become law
| without their signature.
l believe we should still stand by the
Constitution of Maine and do business
according to the precedents Of the past.
and allow the Governor either to follow
the Constitution or his own will.
Mr. MURPHY of Cumberland: This
seems to be a very serious matter, the
roads of the State OF Maine, whether it
is politics or business. in the estimate OF
the committee that reported ought to
pass on this BILL and If we are really
honest in what we say on this PROPOSE
ton. We ought TO do everything we can
to have II brought back.
There Is a difference In some of the re-
ports that have come before this COM
mittee; there is difference in some of
them that are still pending. Some are
deserving. and some are not so deserv-
ing ] believe We should aid the deserv-
ing and poorer class of towns in the
building Of roads and bridges. This is a
long bridge and IL il needs repairs it
should be repaired: il it is up TO the
State to do any repairing it ought to be
done. If it is a deserving cause We
ought 10 do everything We can to see
that State aid is granted TO that parti-
cular bridge.
! Mr.. BUTLER OF Knox: I am sure the
Senator from York would not intention
ally interject into this discussion any
mere party politics. but at the same time
I think II he can remember what he said
this morning two years from now, and
give the same speech in York county, it
would be an excellent party speech. II
isn't my purpose 10 go into party poll
tics. l don't believe there is a senator in
this body but what believes that the
chairman of the committee on ways and
bridges, and the whole committee. have
acted thus far with the greatest fidelity
| to duty. I don't believe there is a joint
legislative committee here al this session
that has done its work more faithfully.
/ don't believe a single senator here has
criticized a single resolve that has passed
their Judgment. I don't believe that the
Governor himself has or will criticize a
single resolve that has thus far passed
this committee and been reported here
be enacted.
Unfortunately there is a difference Of
opinion as to the aggregate amount Of
appropriation for the committee on ways
and bridges between the Governor and
that committee. The Governor has stat
ed again and again that he is satisfied
with the resolves that have been passed.
some of which he has vetoed. This order
has been presented this morning for the
| sole purpose of calling it back and saw
! ing it SO that the people Of that com
nnunity may not lose that appropriation.
1t is to be held up for short time, not
| Indefinitely, not for weeks and months.
but for few days, in hope that this
whole matter may be adjusted and the
business OF the Legislature proceed
| regularly
Mr.. DURGIN of Piscataquis: l do not
arise for the purpose OF multiplying
words upon this subject. but as / have
listened 10 the remarks here by the diff
ferent members l have wondered VIVA,
our Legislature is for. anyway. We as
sembled here and in the beginning COM
rnittees were appointed, among others
the committee on ways and bridges com
posed of three members from this Senate
and seven from the House Matters
which properly come before that COM
mittee are presented to them, facts and
figures. arguments are adduced, in order
that they may arrive at a correct con-
! clusion as to the needs OF a town or n
section.
wv" L bCI4SNS "HClI l4i4s SbIHlIIllSS ia
passed upon these matters, and resolve
has taken its natural course through
both Houses. and there has been no OBJ
lection to it, think then when it is put
up to His Excellency. that he should
either veto it for reasons, or il should be-
come a law.
We have heard the explanation from
the committee on ways and bridges, and
I don't believe that there is any politics
in their action. I know that, as a rule.
matters have come before them from
every section OF the State. They have
passed upon them, I believe, honestly,
carefully and fairly, and without the
least regard as to whether a resolve
was presented by member of one party
or the other; and if didn't believe that,
then I should have very little confidence
in the committee. They are not for the
purpose Of playing poltics: they are
here to pass upon matters that come be-
fore them. and to do business for the
| State of Maine.
! 1t has been remarked that on account
Of the extra expense in printing-you
will remember that notice was taken Of
that; merely speak Of 1t in passing, and
call your attention to the fact that two
years ago the Legislature were Obliged