Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-09

me in the little that have studied the
matter to be of great value to the State.
| Now, all through this session l have
occupied rather unenviable situation. l
think the gentlemen OF the House have
| observed it. 1t has fallen to me to bear
the brunt Of some heavy shocks; l have
been in a fight or two. but there is not a
man here who will say that in one single
instance 1 was unfair or that / stabbed
anybody in the dark or that ! got any
body else to 60 out and lay out a man or
measure. Right out here in thel open. the
cards all on the table, we have gone
through many little tangle in the House.
and 1 dislike very much to be smitten in
the back this way.
will not allude to the fact that we are
working during this last few hours Of the
session under the gentlemen's agreement,
that what is presumed to be the will OF
the House If they were all here should
! carry. A few days ago we voted two to
one-gentlemen. do not forget-a few days
ago we voted two to one on resolution
Of broader power and wider scope than
| this with the earnest desire to save to
the State what it might own in water
powers and what 1t might own in indus
tries and what it might gain in industries.
We could not get that through the Leg
islature.
4 AS I said before, I feel that we will SUI
fer a distinct loss II we do not take
definite stand on which both houses Will
agree along this line, and, feeling that
half loaf Is better than no bread. l Of
fered this. Let me state once more, and
I am done for the session I hope, what
I think it will give.
1t will give an authoritative state
ment of an able body as to what is the
law. 1t will put in the hands of men
competent to engage them the engage
ment Of certain engineers to do the
work. Even by brother from Mexico
would not think any member Of the
utilities commission would make a sur
vey or gauge a stream or anything of
that sort; but even he will not say they
are not competent to engage efficient
men and just as competent men as any
other commission. They are further di-
rected to ascertain as near as may be
what the cost of our developed and I'M
developed water powers may be and to
report the same with such recommend
ations as may seem to them good.
Before I close, if you would be at all
influenced by my judgment in the mat
ter. let us leave it SO that it cannot be
truthfully said that any lobby in the
House or any octopus or any combina-
ton of interests turned us aside from
our duty in this matter. Let us make
feeble though it is, our first step in this
direction.
Gentlemen, once more, if my services
have seemed to you to have been free
~ given and honestly and fairly given
give this little measure fair treatment
at this time so near the end Of our ses-
sion (Applause)
The SPEAKER: The pending ques-
ton is on the motion of the gentleman
! from Mexico, MIR. HutchinS, that the
measure be Indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. BAXTER of Portland: Mr.. Speak
err l should like to state to the House
just how l feel about this resolution. In
my opinion it does not meet the situation ;
it is not adequate; it is, however, the
only thing which we can get passed at
this session. l understand the other body
will pass it, but that does not add weight
to the argument in my opinion for our
passing it.
If. however. it would accomplish any
thing-if in the judgment of the members
here-if they conscientously believe it
would accomplish something's should be
the last one to stand here and oppose it,
! / believe the doctrine of half a loaf is
better than no loaf, but in this particular
case l cannot make up my mind that this
is even half a loaf
! L do not want to oppose any measure
that will tend toward giving us informa-
ton on the subject of water powers and
! conservation, but ! am perfectly willing
to leave it to the gentlemen present and
to set aside my own personal judgment
and inclinations in the matter | do not
want to appear to oppose the resolution
of the gentleman from Houlton (Mr
Barnes) if the members who are here this
evening thing it will accomplish some
thing. simply express my opinion that
| do not think it will accomplish any
thing, but leave it to the others
On motion by Mr. Harrington of Au-
gusta all remarks made on the floor in
relation to the question of a quorum were
ordered expunged from the record.
The pending question being on the
motion of the gentleman from Mexico,
Mr.. Hutchins. that the bill be indef-
initely postponed
A viva voce vote being taken.
The motion prevailed
The SPEAKER: The Chair laws
before the House, Resolve for the me-
mortal in honor of Major General Hi
ram G. Berry. This was finally passed
IN the House and comes from the Sen
ate indefinitely postponed in non con-
currence.
On motion by Mr.. Packard of Rock
land the House voted to recede and
concur with the Senate in the indefin-
tie postponement of the resolve.
A message was received from the
Senate through Senator Higgins of
Penobscot informing the House that
the Senate had transacted all business
before it and was reviy to adiofrn
without day
On motion by Mr. Buzzell of Bel