Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-15

hoped that we would get through this
session without being obliged to do
that; but do think that l shall be
obliged to SO appeal. This is an amend
ment. Is it in order. Mr. Speaker, for
me to continue my remarks? l do not
want to transgress in any way.
| Mr.. BARNES Of Houlton: Mr..
Speaker, Is there any motion before
the House?
| The SPEAKER: There is no motion
before the House.
Mr.. BAXTER: The Speaker asked
if took exceptions to his ruling. AS
1 understand it, 1t is in order for me
to explain my position.
The SPEAKER: Does the gentle
man appeal from the ruling of the
| Chair?
Mr.. BAXTER: I am about to ap-
peal from the ruling Of the Chair.
The SPEAKER: Then the gentle
man from Portland, Mr.. Baxter, is in
order.
| Mr.. BAXTER: AS I understand it
1t Is in oSder for me to explain why
l appeal from the ruling Of the Chair
This House Document No. 290. gen
| tlemen, Is an act to authorize the
| Oxford Electric Company to extend its
electrical lines into a certain town
| That being the case. and this being
| a public service corporation, it seems
to me perfectly in order for me to
offer an amendment. The amendment
does not differ in any way from the
amendment which l have offered to
half dozen different electrical COM
panies' franchises. | cannot make any
| distinction in my own mind between
this franchise and that Of some other
| companies except the fact that this
| is smaller company, doubtless. 1t
does not serve as many communities
but the situation so far as | know
Is identical. Now | ask through the
| Chair the gentleman from Houlton,
| Mr.. Barnes, if he would explain
whether or not there is any difference.
| am willing to be convinced; l want
to be convinced If / am wrong in any
way; and it seems to me only fair and
just that | should be enlightened. and
that the members Of this House should
be enlightened, If there Is any reason
why my proposed amendment is unjust
! or unfair. l think it would be unjust
and unfair if this amendment should
not be adopted, if this situation should
not be explained, because what be-
comes of those companies which have
already accepted this amendment?
The Milo Electric Company has ac-
copied 1t and the bill has been signed
by the Governor. The Knox County
Light d Power Co. has already ac-
cepted this amendment to it's charter.
why should not the Oxford Electric
Company? 1t is true that this fran
chise authorizes this company to take
over some electrical properties belong
ing TO Hebron Academy That does
not make any difference in my mind,
Mr.. Speaker and gentlemen of the
rouse 1t IS simply putting this
Amendment on to this franchise just
as has been done in every other case.
There is a bill on the table here. an
amendment to the Western Maine
Power Company's franchise. which
simply attaches this same amendment
to 1t. That is coming before the House
To-Day, and 1t seems to me, gentlemen.
that now is the time for us to take
sides on this question If the ruling
OF the Speaker is sustained, I see no
reason why in the few days to come
he may not apply that same ruling to
every other proposed amendment that
!, or any other member, may offer in
regard to transmitting electric power
out of the State. I assure you, gentle
men, it is not pleasant for me to an
peal from the ruling of the Chair. If
there was any other way that I could
7
adopt that other method but. under
the circumstances, | feel that I would
not be doing my duty 70 those who
sent me here, and to the principles
which I advocate. if ] did not appeal
from the ruling of the Chair.
The SPEAKER: The Chair wishes
TO state that this discussion is IN tho
ruling Of the point of order. the nojnt
or order being that the amendment
proposed by the gentleman from Port
iahd 'Mr Baxter) is not germane to
tne bl'l which we are considering.
MT BARNES of Houlton: Mr. Speaker.
realize that in taking part in the argu-
hent which Is now before US, man
STANDS as good chance of being damned
as OF being one of the tentacles Of the
octopus; but l happen to know sometime
OF the situation Of the towns of Norway
farls ana Hebron. l further appreciate
the fact that so long as my policies are
my policies, they are very harmless. but
"hen It becomes imminent that nv no,i-
cles may become the policies of the state
or Maine, it is well for us to look int,
'hem before we adopt them. I further
TOOK the position in my remarks prefa-
tory TO the ruling Of the Speaker tha.
since there are almost countless LITTLE car
porations generating more or less eIec-
trlcity and under varying and differn,
conditions in the State of Maine tbat
as a matter of fact and justice and fair
ness, each should be considered upon its
own circumstances and merits and fur
ther make the statement and propositioo
mat before anybody dictates policv IN
the state of Maine, he should have suffi-
gently digested the facts concerning apv
proper charter which he wishes to amend
so as to know. whether it exists on tho
race OF the earth. whether it is stean or
water, and whether its entire producer
under the laws of nature is now beip,
used up The framing of the rol;cv ~
the state of Maine relative to the ger-
era'Hg OF electricity is very taxing
proposition. The generating and sale IF
n ri nj -, fit,