Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-21
Afternoon Sessions
for the Legislature
AfterNext Thursday
INDICATIONS OF SPEEDING UP
-TODAY'S SESSION AT A. M.
Senator Wood Of Hancock Makes Impressive
Appeal for Compulsory Military Training in
Public Schools of Maine

Interest in the Senate Tuesday morn
ing centered in the speech Of Senator
Wood OF Hancock in his advocacy of
the bill to establish compulsory mill
tary training in the public schools of
Maine. The senator in rather pointed
language got after some of the oppo-
nents of the measure, Of which he is
the father and the leading prepayment,
and soon added to the size of the au-
dience on the floor of the Senate by his
words. His speech, which was against
the report of the committee on educa-
ton, ought not to pass occupied
over an hour. during which time both
Senators Higgins and Davies were
called to preside over the Senate.
Senator Walker. chairman of the
committee on education, followed Sem
atOr Wood with a statement of the OBJ
JectlOnS Of'the committee to the bill as
1t was presented to the members, to-
gcther with a review Of the committee
hearing on the bill and an outline Of
its provisions. which he stated, could
not now with benefit and profit to our
schools and the students be adopted.
Senator Wood having stated that he
was willing that the bill be recommit-
ted for the purpose of substituting a
voluntary clause for the compulsory
provision and that it be made option
al with towns as to it's adoption, after
discussion participated in by Senators
Ames, Holt, Davies and Wood the bill
vas, on motion of Sen. Ames, recon-
mitted to the committee on education.
Sen. Holt of Cumberland, under sus-
pension of the rules, introduced a re-
solve proposing an amendment to Art.
of the Constitution, relating to mil
itary. 1t was referred TO the committee
on military affairs. 1000 copies ordered
printed and sent down for concurrence
Sen. Marshall of Cumberland pre-
sented under suspension of the rules an
act to legalize ard ratify the doings OF
the inhabitants of the town of Wind
ham a a town meeting Of March and
adjournment on March 7. 1t was stat
cd that the bill was to correct an ir-
regularity Of failing to elect moder-
atOr.
The main feature Of the proposed
amendment to the Constitution is the
change in the method of electing Off
GERS. The new method will put it up to
the Leeisla ture as to how the officers
shall be chosen, whereas at present
their selection is made according to
rank of the officer by the officers of
certain ranks. When tho method IS de-
cided upon the officers shall he APP
pointed and commissioned by the Gov
crnor. Other changes proposed are for
the purpose of bringing the military
law up to date and to conform with
the military law Of the United States.
For instance the old law under the
Constitution makes the forma ton of a
new military organization dependent
uron legislative sanction. so that
wait of two years might be necessary
in some cases. The change will enable
The Governor to take the necessary ac-
ticn at orce and will also make it his
duty to make and enforce such chang
IS rs will keep the military law Of the
state of Maine in conformity with the
military law Of the United States.