Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-15


necessary of course. l move that it be
given its first reading at the present
time.
The SPEAKER: The Chair will in
form the gentleman that if the report
is accepted, it would be in order to give
it it's first reading this morning. The
gentleman from Portland. Mr.. Baxter,
moves that the report be accepted.
Mr. MURRAY of Bangor: Mr.. Speak
err. as l understand, the motion is first
that it be taken from the table.
The SPEAKER: That motion has been
carried.
Mr.. MURRAY: I meant to speak on
II. but Mr.. Baxter was still standing
and / sat down. Isn't 1t debatahle
whether or not 1t shall be taken from
the table?
The SPEAKER: 1t is debatable. Per-
| haps the Chair erred in not recognizing
the gentleman from Bangor. Mr.. Murray.
| Mr. MURRAY: Perhaps what l am
about to say can be said on this mo-
ton as we'll as any other. / am placed
/ in a peculiar position. l do not know
whether l am speaking for the party
or an individual. If l am speaking for
| an individual, it can be distinguished
by my remarks who the individual Is,
I am much interested in this measure
as an individual. I am expecting to re-
/ ceive at any moment a telephone mes
| sage to go to Bangor. Court is in ses-
! sion there If l go, l do not
know when l can get back. may
get back Monday, Tuesday and
/ perhaps not until Wednesday, and
do not want 70 be placed in the posi-
tion-that is what embarrasses me-of
asking this Legislature. if it is unfair
TO wait for me at all. Now. / am plaC
ed in another position. Fortunately, or
unfortunately. ! was elected to lead
the Democratic party on the floor. We
have not caucused on this matter. and
| do not know what their intention is
as to making this party measure. If
| am called away, l will be unable to
be present at any meeting which they
hold. think If I were present would
be in a position 10 arrange matters
so we need not fight this measure all
along the line. To be brief, think If
the majority-and I realize that if they
make this particular motion party
measure, and l am speaking for the
Democrats, l say if I ANTHEM we are
hopelessly swamped; but l appeal to
liltIT SDlIlL-Ol fairness. w nile L 60 not
agree with the Republican party in
many things, / have always found its
members fair. Now l would appreciate
very much if that date were changed
from Wednesday to a week from
Wednesday. AS | say, we may be in
a position to bring the matter nearer
to a conclusion by doing that; and, if
L is fair, | ask the gentleman to sus-
tain me; if it is not, do not ask it.
Mr. BERRY Of Waterville: Mr..
Speaker, I want to heartily agree with
Ill that the last speaker has said
also want to call the attention of the
members of this House to the fact that
the Governors ball. as ! understand
it, takes place on the end of Febru-
AIRY 1t is a We'll known fact that at
/ that time we entertain our lady friends,
II you please, and that on Wednesday,
the day before. there will be a num-
Der If ladies present. / feel that it is
/ an inopportune time to take up this
measure. 1t is an amendment of the
Constitution of the State of Maine. 1t
is an important measure submitted
early in this House, and while it has
had its hearing before the committee.
rs you all know the crowded condition
prevented many members of this House
from hearing the arguments either
for or against. ] realize fully that most
Of your minds are made up. but in all
fairness | believe this matter should
ont be FASTENED or hurried. Therefore,
| approve the fixing of the date on
February 2S. and | hope that we may
take no hasty action a. this time.
The SPEAKER: The pending ques-
ton is on the acceptance of the re-
port. This discussion has rather de-
veloped into a question OF whether or
not t should be taken from the table.
OF course that motion is not debat-
able. but the acceptance of the report
| is deba ole.
Mr.. BUSSABARGER of Lubec: Mr..
Speaker, | heartily agree with the gen
tleman from Portland (Mr. Baxter, in
every remark that he has made regard
ing this bill. A full public hearing was
had in this House some days ago. If
any member of this honorable body
did not attend that hearing, it was
his own fault, believe stood in the
rear Of the House ana heard every
word of it. | believe the arguments
were fully made on every side, and |
this matter. | am not the floor leader
of the minority party but | believe |
voice the sentiments of a large major
itv of the rank and file as we'll as the
leaders of the Democratic party, not
only in this State but in the nation.
4 in saying that this is not a party meas
I ure. We Democrats should not forget
that our national convention last June
in st Louis, resolved in favor of equal
suffrage for woman as we'll as man,
state by state. and not only did the
| convention stand for it, but our great
leader in the " hite House left his busy
cares and the burdens of the
day and ioLrneyed back to his
native state &c vote for equal suf-
frage for women. I know, gentlemen,
the object of this delay. I am not afraid
Of any fight made in the open, but there
is fight being made in the corridors,
and | am here to protect my weak Dem
ocratic brother for l am my brother )
keeper and | heartily concur in second
ing the motion of the gentleman from
Portland
Mr. BREWSTER of Portland: Mr..
Speaker, l move that the question now
be put