Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-25
COUNTY COMM|S-
SI0NERS OF Maine
CLOSE CONVENTION
Thursday Forenoon - Matter of
Reducing County Expenses
Discussed Further-Commis-
sioners Will Hold Next Con-
vention at Rockland

THE final session Of the 23rd annual con-
vention Of the county commissioners Of
Maine was held Thursday forenoon at
the court house and although the at
day the discussions were of great benefit
to all. Upon invitation of Hon. A. b.
Packard of Rockport it was voted to
hold the next convention with the Knox
county commissioners at Rockland, the
time to be set by the commissioners Of
that county.
At 1880 the meeting was called to order
by President Pottle of Lewiston. Com
missioner Packard Of Rockport brought
up the matter Of the law relating to
cruelty to animals and expressed the
opinion that these officers should be ap-
pointed by the county commissioners
rather than by the Governor because the
county pays the bills. He recommended
that the clerks of the boards of county
commissioners in the State, who are at
torneys should draw up such bill and
see that it was presented to the Legisla-
ture.
President Pottle said that the matter
had been quite fully discussed at Wednes-
days session and that the Legislative
committee Of the Association, which had
been continued, had quite a good deal OF
work of this nature to do. And he stated
that the sentiment Of the meeting seemed
to be in favor of having the agents for
the prevention of cruelty to animals APP
pointed upon recommendation of the
ner that the agents for the prevention OF
cruelty to children are now appointed
He urged that an effort be made for this
measure to be carried out. Regarding
the matter of repeating the law in rela-
ton to medical examiners he stated that
he was going to get all the information
he could and see If public sentiment was
in favor of step so radical.
Commissioner A. p Grey of Warren
thought that the cruelty to animals off,
GERS should be the constables of each
town and that the town should pay the
bills. He said that he had never met a
good, fair cruelty to animals officer and
that these officers had admitted that they
must get their living some way. The
constables now have the same power as
these officers, he said, but they won't 40
the work.
Hon. Charles H. Mason Of Bath advised
that county commissioners get in touch
with Mr. Walker Of Brunswick, agent
for the State Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals.
The belief that 1t is generally agreed
that it is the duty of the State to safe
p,,a ri chjldrep and amin ais from crrlalty
misuse and neglect was expressed by
President Pottle and he said that the
county commissioners should not get rid
of their burden but should have it so
safeguarded that the county will not be
plundered by any unnecessary expenses.
And he advised the commissioners to re-
duce their bills by using the blue pencil.
Some people think" he said, that when
they perform a public service their time
becomes uncommonly valuable"
Commissioner C. W. Stephens Of Old
Town said that the commissioners in that
county are not having any trouble with
the agents for the prevention Of cruelty
for the commissioners are fixing the bills
with the blue pencil. He thought that
the commissioners should have jurisdic-
ton over the appointment Of these off,
GERS and that the officers should operate
only in one county. And he said that
these officers do nothing that the deputy
sheriff or constable could not do. In his
opinion the medical examiners were
soaking it" to them in Penobscot county
and he expressed himself of being in ia
vor of the repeal of the law IN relation
to medical examiners. He suggested that
the legislative committee have a paper
drafted to take the place of that law if
1t was repealed. The work of the medical
examiners could be done by the sheriffs
and the local physicians, in his opinion.
The matter Of cruelty officers charging
excessive prices for killing stray cats was
also discussed at the session.
Resolutions Passed.
Resolutions were passed at the meeting,
thanking the commissioners Of Kennebec
county for their entertainment and Hon.
Charles w. Jones, clerk Of courts for
Kennebec county and clerk to the board
of county commissioners Of Kennebec.
for his valuable suggestions
Mr.. Jones expressed the pleasure Of the
Kennebec commissioners in having the
county commissioners Of Maine come to
Augusta and hoped that they would come
again.
The meeting was adjourned at about
II. 80 A. NJ.
Visit State House.
At the close Of the session the commits
sioners and their ladies went by automo-
bile to the State House. where they visit
ed the State departments.
Among those present at Thursdays
session of the convention were Mr. and
Mrs A. P. Gray Of Warren and Mr. and
d De- u AZ