Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-09
CLOCK HANDS IN SENATE AND
HOUSE ARE TURNED BACK MANY
TIMES TO SAVE MIDNIGHT HOUR
House Adjourns at 1919 A. NJ, After Two APP
parently Serious Conflicts Threatening SEES
sion This Week-Summary of Sessions Re-
sults-Governor Signs 514 Acts and 119 Re
solves

Tic opening session Of the 18th Leg
islature Of Maine passed into history
at 11.2G p. NJ. Saturday night by the
House clock, but at 319 A. NJ. Sunday,
April S. 1917, by the true time the
House chronometer having very con-
sideratcly and kindly waited by the
Waysidc for the arrival Of the delayed
legislation that wished to get into line
before tho appearance of the Easter
morning.
Vacant seats in House and Senate
were much in evidence and should the
question Of quorum at any time been
insisted on. we would at this time
monday morning) be preparing to at
Tend the Legislature, just as we have
been doing for the past IA weeks.
The usual waits were necessary dur
ing the afternoon and evening session,
owing to the heavy amount of work
put upon the engrossing department by
the holding back of bills and the con-
slant changes, such as pulling back
a measure from the engrossed stage
late Saturday evening for the purpose
Of attaching an amendment, rendering
so much moro work and so much more
delay.
But there was no lack of something
To do in these waits and the impromp-
III scenes staged in the House rotunda
and corridors, with the endless sing
ing of old songs and those written for
the occasion mace the hours pass very
quickly. The first part of the evening
saw 4 large attendance of ladies, some
Of whom pluckily remained and wit
messed the closing ceremonies, among
them being Mrs. Bonney, wife of
Speaker Bonnoy, who attended the
opening session, has been a faithful
member of the Legislature throughout
its IA weeks Of life and said good bye
with tho drop of the Speakers Gavel
with the words adjourned sine die"
The result of the work done at this
session Of Names Legislature like that
Of all preceding ones, will be viewed
in different lights according to wheth-
er your pet measure was adopted or
turned down, hut it can be said that
vast amount of work has been done,
regardless of the results, because the
unanimous verdict Of the newspaper
mon who have before covered" legis-
lative sessions is that it has been the
most strenuous, nerVe-rackinS and
typewriter killing they have ever ex-
perienced. And it is not unlikely that
the members will at no distant day
again be seen in their accustomed
seats in House and Senate, because no
one knows in these troublous times
what day may bring forth.
Five hundre,, and fourteen acts and
1l9 resolves were signed by Governor
Carl +. Miliken and became laws at
once or will at the expiration of the
legal time requil red by law.
The War Measures
TIC great feature of the session was
Undoubtedly the passage of the resolve
arpropriating Sl.000,000' for war pur-
POSES, an emergency measure on scale
"ut-classing anything since the days of
the Civil War and followed with acts
and resolves fitting into the same de-
Tense plan. clothing the Governor with
almost unlimited power and backing
him with all the financial and moral
support of the State Of Maine.
other matters passed in relation with
the conflict with Germany were an
Act TO create the Maine Home Guard,
resolve giving State pay to volun-
te,rs who served in the army and navy
from Maine so as to make their month
" pay SO, an act authorizing cities.
town, and plantations to raise by tax
alton or otherwise money for the sup
port Of dependents Of soldiers with re-