Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-07

relating to lands reserved for public
uses.
The motion was agreed to, and on
further motion by the same senator
the Senate voted to insist upon it's
former action and appoint a commit
tee of conference.
The Chair appointed on such COM
mittee on the part of the Senate,
Messrs. Ames, Deering and Gillin.
Mr.. WOOD of Hancock: Mr.. Presi-
dent, if in order l would like to have
the papers in the military training
bill ON which a committee of confer
ence was appointed, transmitted to the
House, as the time is getting short,
so that they may appoint their COM
mittee so that we can get together.
The PRESIDENTS: The secretary
will send the papers at once.
Mr.. GILLIN: Mr.. President and fell
low Senators: Yesterday on account
of the title of the bill, the Senate vot-
ed to adhere to its former action. and
1 presumed from hearing the title read
that it pertained to the salaries OF
Judges of probate, ETC., to which / was
bound by our committee of confer
ence, as l understood 1t, being one OF
the parties that made a motion.
1t is H. D. 40, and will read the bill
as It is very short: Section !. Any
Judge of probate having attained the
age of at least 10 years and having
served as Judge of probate for atNeast
80 years, resigns his said Office or
ceases to serve at the expiration of
any term of said office. shall during
the remainder of his life. receive an
amount equal to one-half of the sal
airy which is by law payable to him at
the time of such resignation or ter
mination of service; which shall be
paid to him from the State Treasury
in quarterly payments on the first
days of January, April, July and Oc-
tober"
l will say to the Senators that when
this measure was put in it was a
measure in which | was interested.
especially on account of the fact that
l have known judges Of probate not
only in my own county, but in other
counties in the state, who have served
20 and one Of them if l remember
served more than 20 years, and when
they got through they We're practical
~ dependent. Now this does not in
crease anybody's fees, It does not per-
tain to anybodys fees, and yesterday
when it came up of course | thought
it was not the act at ALL Mr.. Presl-
dent and fellow Senators.
Now l. need not speak to the law
yers here. | speak to the business
men here who have business to do
with the judges Of probate. In all of
the counties, as you know. their fees
are small, even in our great counties,
where they are handling as important
matters, if not more so. than the mem
bers of the supreme court, because
everybody's property goes through
their hands, and everybody's wife and
children at some time are being pro-
tected by a judge of probate. And
their fees and salaries are practically
i think any business man Will say,
and / know you have all had business
to do with them-are practically in
significant. Their duties are onerous
and laborious. And | feel, Mr.. Presi-
dent and fellow Senators. | VIII make
the motion that the Senate rescind it's
vote and that we concur with the
House, which has passed this bill
through, as l understand it.
1t is simply this in nutshell, that a
man who serves you as Judge of probate
in any of the counties fer 20 long years,
when he retires gets one-half of the legal
salary which he is then getting. Your
State might never have to pay anything,
but | have known of cases where mems
healths have been shattered, splendid
men, who have served the people, pro-
tected our wives and our daughters and
our children when their fathers were
dead, who have gone down to their graves
III the State of Maine-in one or two in
stances practically in penury and want;
and | believe. fellow senators-I see
Brother Walker is smiling-and 7 know
there are business men here, and, Broth
er walker, l can assure you that we
nave judges in our county who have
served for q years. men who might have
made living for themselves and mad,
money, but who have served the public.
/ move you, Mr.. President, that we re-
SEND the vote of yesterday and concur
with the House
Mr.. GRANT of Cumberland Mr. Proc.
ldent, | think that the Senator from Pc
nobscot. Senator Gillin. is mistaken in
/ this, that it is matter that came before
our committee.
Mr.. GILLIN: Did it?
Mr.. GRANT: 1t did, and we found that
| there are two ex-iudges in the State.
talked with quite a number Of LAWYERS
in whom I have confidence and thew said
this was an elective office, thew though,
IT was different from an appointive Of
fee, as the Judges are
( Mr. GILLIN: I will withdraw nv mo.
ton If you think we are bound by it. Mr.
President. if this Is So if the COMMITTEE
on salaries and fees believe that this
comes under It. I am bound and so
wish TO withdraw my motion. I did no,
understand that it did did not ever
know the matter was before your com
mittee. ] apologize and withdraw. be-
cause I cannot. Unless some other sena.
/ tor wants to take II up. 7 cannot
Mr.. WALKER of Somerset: Mr.. Pres.
ident. the senator from Penobscot, Sena-
tor Gillin. referred to me. IT did seem
humorous to me- for Mr. Gillin made the
motion in caucus. l think / was very ex.
Cusabe for smiling.
Mr.. WOOD of Hancock: Mr.. Presi-
dent, as 1 was not present at the eau.
1