Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-17
MAHER AND CLAIR DEBATE
ADJUSTMENT OF SUPERIOR
COURT TERM, WATERV|lLE

Members of the kennebec bar rail-
lied to the support Of Judge Beane of
the superior court before the commit
tee On salaries and fees this afternoon.
Benedict r. Maher Of Augusta took a
rise" out of Fred W. Clair of Water
VILE in earnestly urging on the com
,nittee that il recommend the abolish
ment of the terms OF the court in
Waterville. MIR. Clair had just made
an effective argument in favor of an
increase in salary on the ground that
Maine does not pay her judges half
enough anyhow and nothing to what
they are paid in Canada and other
sections Of the country. He believed
that the dignity and Importance of
the work warrants larger salaries and
that Maine is well able to pay them,
having been extremely fortunate thus
far in having secured men of great
ability TO serve for less compensation
than they could earn in private prac-
tice. He believed judges of the ST.
preme court should he paid $4,000 anu
those of the superior court $1,000.
Mr.. Maher was introduced as the
silver tongued orator Of the kennebec
criticism of the conditions under
which the superior court is held in
Waterville and a plea that those
terms be abolished. This was plainly
a complete surprise 10 Mr. Clair and
he pulled the coat tails of his brother
lawyer and tried in other ways to
break him up, but the banging at
waterville's court facilities continued
Mr. Maher declared that the judge in
Waterville is obliged to share his pri-
waite room with the chief of police
and there is no comfort or dignity
whatever surrounding the proceedings.
He believed the committee would
make no mistake in allowing the $500
for EXPENSES in Waterville, as the
Judge has 20 pay as much as that and
more and the wear and tear on him
amounts TO much more. He suggested
that if waterville people want to do
the right thing by the court they want
to come down to Augusta en- masse
and demand Of the Legislature aid in
building a court house. Meanwhile he
thought all of the terms should be
held in Augusta.
In reply Mr.. Clair said that the only
really busy terms Of the superior
court are held in Waterville and that
when his Brother Maher wanted
nice big verdict he came TO Water
Vile after it. Waterville people had
thought Of asking for a court house
for the benefit Of the superior court
but thought that the first thing was to
se the salary OF the idge increased. He
begged Of the committee, however,
that the terms IN Watervflle should
not he abolished because the accom-
modations are not just what they
should be.
This good natured tilt between the
LAWYERS enlivened a busy afternoon
for the committee The hearing was
conducted by Leroy T. Carleton and
besides Messrs. Clair and Maher those
speaking in behalf Of the bill which
makes the salary Of the judge $500
with 500 for expenses at each term
held in waterville were S. /. Fogs,
Charles Andrews and T. G. Earring
ton.
Fred Lee, appeared in behalf OF the
increase Of the salary Of the superior
court stenographer from S1l0o 70 slooo.
Chaplain Allen and Frank ]. Ham,
the former warden, appeared IN pc
half Of more pay for the employees OF
the State prison on the ground that 10
get the right kind of men and those
who are in sympathy with the la'es'
methods of handling prisoners more
money must be paid.
Judge J. L. Tucker Of the Sanford
municipal court. urged that the sal
AIRY Of the judge of his court De mace
$1,000, instead Of $500 as recommended
nv the committee, and that the re-
corder be paid $500.