Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-06

lam satisfied, Nj. Speaker and gen.
tlemen. that my constituency preie.
tho law to remain as it now Is LOT dt
least a while longer: that the mat
ter of primary election Is In a So
called embryo condition: tnae l., III
people have not had far oppoItuh.-
" to try it out to its full ana iaN
text. There are, it is admitted many
imperfeetions in the bill. There are
feaures in 1t which l. personally. wouii
criticize, as no doubt do you gente-
men: but doubt If anything was ever
incorporated into or placed on our
statute books that was acceptable 10
all people at all times and unoer ali
conditions Perfection is the ann %
life: but it is a goal to which mons
of US can claim that we have YET
reached. do not intend to infiict a
speech on this matter because tha-
would consume time and is unneces-
sary. am here to represent my cor
stituents. When 1 have done so
can go back TO them with my skirts
clear. The proposition before the
House has no tincture so lar as can
perceive-and / submit that 1t mas
none-of politics. Had it that. l might
hesitate TO speak for fear that SONS
OF you might mistrust my party az
fiiiations, and guess or surmfse, or al
least imagine, the position that ]
might take. I think, gentlemen, thai
l voice a section outside OF my own
people and I am bold enough 10 say
that, with the exception of perhaps
certain isolated localities, / voice the
sentiment of the people Of this state,
both city and country, when 1 say
and submit that it is fair and right
that the people should have at least
che more opportunity Of testing out
and making nearer cerain- if rot alb
solutely sure, whether they DO or do
NOT want to retain the law as it no"
stands II was introduced as a pro-
gressiye measure. II was hoped 10
correct certain evils: and, L il has
overcome more than 1t has originated,
II has done ar least some good. So
hope that / have made my position
clear in the report and in the pres
entation Of the views OF my people,
and I hope that Report L Will be ac-
Cepted in concurrence with the othe"
body. ! can appreciate how some u
you may feel: but | think the people
are behind this bill. and / urge, As
/ weakly may, the retention or this fer
another trial. Then. il il does not
work out better. II will be time 20 COR
slider it later. understand there are
some movements on foot 10 correct
certain irregularities and so-cailed i'm
Projections in the bill. thereby i'm
-
proceed along those lines and improve
il. We may get bill that will be sat
isfactory 20 all Of you. II Is wha.
the people have asked for, and the
have had only a limited opportunit:
70 try il out. and We non ask that Il
be given a further extension of time
in order that il may be tested oU-.
Then If il proves 10 be an utter fail
ure, or if it does not work out i'm
proved conditions. there VIII be tim.
enough TO defeat the matter and sub
stitute something that mag be an i'm
psoVement. N conclusion. hope tina
Amendment 3 will prevail i'll this BODY
without regard 10 political affiliations
Mr.. HIGGINS Of Brewe-: Mr. SgcaEer
l want 10 gay that / appreciate TIC fac.
that the distinguished gentlemen VINO
compose the committee OF legal affairs
have referred this matter 20 the highes:
court II this End Of the state House
because | am sure that We shall dispose
OF il to the entire satisfaction OF all the
members who signed both reports.
tAlnk, Ar. Speaker and gentlemen. tina:
this is the peoples measure. / cannp:
understap how q man would introduce
an act 10 repeal this law. You and hai
nothing 20 90 with it, the people did il
and the time has Tot come vnen Ne sal.
say TO TIE people 'you Go no. know what
is best for YOU The people are always
right Sometimes we do not think SO in
cividuaily; bu, eventually they are right.
l quite agree with my friend from. For.-
land Mr.. Greenleafl that the tine has
not arrived when We should make any
change IN this law. Il may be irnr,srfec,
in certain instances. bat those i.nperfec-
tons can be remedied in time: and. as
the gentleman from Portland tMr Green
!eaf) has stated. il would he impossible
10 put law upon our statute BOOKS that
would be- entirely satisfactory 10 ever
person and every voter in the State OF
Maine. Therefore. Mr.. Speaker, without
further remarks on this matter. | move
concurrence with the Senate in the
adoption OF Amendment B. and that when
the vote IS taken it pc taken by the yeas
and nays; because l would like. II there
are any opponents to the adoption of this
Amendment 3. 10 have record OF il. so
that the PEOPLE may know where thev
stand on the peoples rights and the mo-
pies bill,
Mr.. CLIFFORD o. Lewiston: Er.
Speaker and gentlemen OF the House
Some time ago the members of the legal
affairs committee had this hearing rela-
tive 20 whether or not we should submit
this question 70 the people and allow
them 10 vote again on the retention of
this primary law. There were two reports
submitted. and both the majority and mi.
norzty reports were signed bv Demo
Gratis and Republicans alike. That. an ito
face. shows that it is not 2 party meas.
IRE; but when that measure came I'm for
hearing. and when We discussed i. in ex-
ecutive session, I 90 not know of ono
single man on the committee who din
not say that the Law at the presen, time
is bad The only reason given for no,
submitting ii 10 the people was the fac,
thar ii had 10 hoa