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

Mr.. Moulton, it was
81 ORDERED, the House concurrinS
that all overtime work in the printing
Office and bindery. necessary to advance
the business of the legislature he author
lied in writing by the President Of the
Senate or the Speaker OF the House and
that the State Auditor certify for pay
ment only such bills for overtime in
printing and binding as are accom-
panied by such written authorization OF
certified copies thereof
This order received a unanimous pas
sage in both houses.
"On last Thursday, Jan. 2Sth, in the
House, on the motion Of the gentleman
from Clinton. Mr.. Besse, it was
,'ORDERED the Senate concurring
that there be 1900 more Senate and House
Registers printed
This order received a unanimous pas
sage in both houses. After the morning
session on Friday last, the legislature
adjourned over until today. and 1t was
the desire and expectation OF the officers
of this legislature that the printing and
binding on all matters then ordered
should be completed and delivered to the
members on their return today. but We
regret that without fault on our, part.
and without fault of the printer and
binder. certain matters have transpired
that have precipitated a conflict OF au-
| thority between the legislative and exc
cutive departments OF state, and which
have necessarily resulted in suspending
| and deadlocking the work of the legis-
2ature.
f1v% ~
Council transacted the following bust
ness as by their record.
"'Council Chamber, Augusta, Maine.
January IS, 1915.
At a meeting Of the Governor and
Council, held this day, the following vote
| was PASSED:
VOTED: That the Messenger of the
Governor and Council be directed to no.
! tify the parties doing the printing and
binding for the legislature, under con-
| tract with the State. that no claim for
extra pay in connection with said work
would be allowed unless the work for
which such claims are made is author
lied by order Of the Governor and Coun-
| ell.
A true copy.
ATTEST:
JOHN e. BUNKER,
| Secretary Of State
On last Friday after the legislature had
| adjourned the Secretary Of the Senate
| received the following communication.
'Kennebec Journal Company
Printing and Publishing.
Augusta, Maine.
| January 20, 1915.
Dear Sir:
We acknowledge receipt of order for
150c 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. E. LAWRY, ESQ,
Sec. of Senate, Augusta, Maine
| 1.-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 a standstill.
awaiting the decision Of this question
between the legislative ana the executive
departments Of. STATE f. 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
| it's work, and all business at this ses-
| sion must necessarily cease.
after the Governor and Council had
| passed this vote, which the Chair has
| read, and held up and suspended the
orders Of this Legislature, as to its print
| 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 beea 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 1t has de.
termined. and defined it's powers and du-
ties. and settled the question whether the
legislature has charge of it's 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
binding has encroached upon or inter-
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 0ffice Of the exec
urive. If, on the other hand, We are
satisfied that in what we have DONE and
in the orders passed by this legislature,
we 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 inabil-
ity to meet this present condition. and
to settle this question. and find our