Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-06

chise or other tax on corporations
generating or distributing electric
current, tabled by Mr.. harrington OF
Augusta pending its passage.
Mr. HARRINGTON of Augusta: Mt
Speaker, out. of courtesy TO the gen.
tleman from Portland, Mr.. Baxter, as
there are matters similar still pending
in the Senate over which there is dis
agreeing action, ! would move that
this be rc-tabled until tomorrow
The motion prevailed.
The SPEAKER pro tenn: The Chair
lays before the House, House Docu-
ment IA. An Act to amend Chapter
o, Revised Statutes, relating to the
taxation of insurance companies, Ia
bled by Mr. Coffin of Freeport, pending
reference to a committee.
Mr.. COFFIN of .Freeport: Mr.. Speak
er, in order to clear the calendar, l
am going to move that the bill be IN
definitely postponed, but l wish to say
a word in explanation. This bill Is
taxation measure We know that tax
alton in this Legislature is very un-
popular. We have been here three
months now trying to legislate in the
interests of the people. Everything
in the way Of taxation measures that
We have been able to get by this
House has been one that would ailo"
US to tax pigs. sheep and COWS tha'
were not taxed for the last two years
Now. | submit, gentlemen, we are al
pretty willing to appropriate money
and to take the tax on calves and build
that Jackman- lockwood road. 1t Is
so unpopular. this with the rest. that
move it be Indefinitely postponed.
The motion to indefinitely postpone
prevailed.
The SPEAKER pro tenn: The Chan
laws, before the House, Senate Docu
ment lOo AN Act to amend section:
% and 81. Chapter 9, Revised Statutes
relating to state taxation, telephone
and telegraph companies" tabled by Mr.
Barnes of Houlton, pending further &C
ton by committee of conference.
Mr.. BARNES of Houlton: Mr.. Speak
er, is the report in?
The SPEAKER pro tenn: AS uh
derstand there is 10 retort from TIT
committee on conference.
Mr.. BARNES: l move it lie on tn
table.
| The SPEAKER pro tenn: AS under
stand. the committee of conference nav
not acted upon it.
Mr.. BARNES: Then it should be ia
bled, I'M. Speaker, until the COMMITTEES
of conference acts and we will be gov
erned by their action, whatever it is.
/ The SPEAKER pro tenn: How will j
get to the Senate?
! 90 Sfa
is. the status of the bill. Mr.. Speaker
Has the committee of conference peer
joined by the Senate?
The SPEAKER pro TEN: AS un
derstand the committee of conference
was appointed in the House, and thef
it was tabled so it did not leave TINS
body.
Mr.. FARRINGTON: Mr.. Speaker,
i should like to ask the gentleman iron
Houlton, Mr. Barnes. if he does not wisf
it joined by the other branch:
Mr.. BARNES: l do, Mr. Speaker.
on motion by Mr.. Harrington of Au
gusta, the papers were sent to the Sen
ate for the Committee Of conference tc
be joined.
(The Speaker resumed the Chair)
fore the House, House Document GIG
An Act relating to the competency Of
witnesses" tabled by Mr.. Rounds OF
Portland 1t comes from the Senate in
definitely postponed and the question be-
Z fore the House is concurrence with the
Senate in the indefinite postponement OF
the bill or insistenee.
MI ROUNDS of Portland: Mr.. Speak
er. I move we insist on our former &C
lion and ask for a committee of con
ference.
Mir BARNES Of Houlton: Mr.. Speak
er, what was the action of the House
The SPEAKER: Passage to be en-
crossed.
Nj BARNES Mr.. Speaker and gen
tlemcn of the House, l hope the mo-
titn If Tile gentleman from Portland
will not prevail. Now just wore
about this The statute has read fol
very many years that no person is in
competent to testify in court or in {
legal Proceeding in consequence of hav
ing been convicted of an offence, but
if person is on the witness stand who
has been convicted of an offence. un
der the law as u now stands, such con
vcton may he shown TO affect his
credibilty. For instance, if man has
been convicted Of being a perjurer ant
is testifying on the witness stand
counsel can show that he was former
ly convicted of that offence simply witt
the idea that tho jury might weigh
that and, having that information. de
eide whether they would believe him Oh
not
The people who have introduced this
amendment-for what purpose have ne
idea--have wished to change the statute
so it would read-"but such conviction
if not established by plea of nolo con
tendere. may be shown to affect his
credibility." suppose everybody
knows what nolo contendere means
Nolo contendere is practically Latin 70,
guilty" By saying nolo contendere
when a man Is under indictment OF
complaint, he says Il do not chose fur.
Their to contend against the court
which is equivalent in our practice tc
the plea of guilty"
Now many a man who goes into cour,
indicted or who is brought in on com.
plant and warrant, when he is asked tc
plead whether he is guilty or not guilty
murmurs. under instruction Of counsel
nolo contendere.' and then he can go and
tell his wife he did not say he was
guilty. But the fact remains that the
plea of nolo contendere carries just the
same penalty and all that sort of thing
Now it is desired, If man might be
brought into court under complaint ar