Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-03-26

Another objection to this bill, il
seems to me. Is under Section s Of the
bill. under which II board OF trustees
Is created. consisting Of ut least one
trustee from each town. and in add
dilion to that ono more trustee for
every additional three thousand in
habitants or fraction thereof The
trustees shall also choose secre-
tary. who may or may not be a mem
Der of the board.
Under Section 2 there shall also be
! chosen q board of six directors. who
may or may not bc of the board of
trustees.
The board of directors under Sec
ton IA is given authority TO lease or
purchase land and buildings or to
alter and repair existing buildings
for the use of the district.
The management and control of
! these matters arc taken entirely out
Of the hands of the town and are
placed under the jurisdiction of the
trustees and the boards OF directors.
he town is to be taxed in support
OF the board of trustees and direct
ors, pay all expenses in connection
with the administration of this law.
and have no voice in the matter it
self. as l understand it, For that
reason it seems to me to be further
objectionable. That is made bind
! the extent that u suit at law may be
brought against it. and it appears to
me that there is absolutely no de
Tense that can be made on the part
of town TO that assessment. The
directors and trustees have full au-
thOrity to assess any amount which
! in their judgment they may Sc. TT
upon the towns. and the towns are
obliged to pay: and I want to again
call Your attention to the fact that
+ this is only one class of paupers. 1t
does not relieve the town from the
necessity OF carrying OF all of the
present machinery for the support Of
the paupers other than those who
need full support.
In addition to the trustees and d.
rectors. the directors. under the law
arc obliged to appoint Il superintend
cnt The superintendent is the SAL
a"ied officer and must be paid at the
, expense of the town.
Under Section y. in case of a dis
pute between the superintendent in
, tho town interested. upon the uues-
ton OF whether Il particular person
con he supported by the district. if
they cannot agree. the matter is re-
fcrred to the directors, from whose
decision there is no appeal
Under Section IS, it is made 4
crime or miSdemcanor TO wilfully fail
or neglect or refuse to perform any
of tho duties imposed upon the towns
or persons by The provisions of this
act. and carries with it a maximum
penalty Of five hundred dollars or six
months Imprisonment
1t appears 10 me. under the pro-
visions of this bill. that. if it be
comes a law. TIL directors may make
any regulation OF rule that they sec
fit. and that they thereby become
and have the force of law. and that
I; breach of them constitutes mis-
demeanor or criminal act for which
Imprisonment or fine may be im-
posed.
The administration OF this law will
! be cumbersome and expensive.
have discovered no demand upon the
part of the towns. OF of the citizens
at large. for the enactment of this
law. l; appears. to me 20 have or
isinated among some Of the depart
mentS which arc anxious 10 have the
; control over affairs of this kind:
and. while this law. it is true. is op-
tlonal on the part of the town. u
seems TO me that this is an entering
wedge and that It will be Very cas-,
later TO amend this law so that il
will not be optional. but will be Oh
lISdtOrs and universal. that the care
of our paupers viii be taken ont OF
the hans of the local authorities and
put into the hands OF 4 commiss sion:
! dnd this appears 70 me to be danger
Gus. We are going too far upon the
question OF taking our local affairs
and local matters out Of the hands
OF local authorities and putting them
unoei the control of some commits
s4o1 which cannot have our local in.
;eIestS at heart and are not ac-
Guainted With our local conditions.
There is another objection to this
bill if il becomes a law and that IS
the poor unfortunate who requires
help. They may be. proba bly, will be.
taken away from those with whom
th.T are acquainted. and their friends
and carried to some central or dis
tant almshouse
Therefore. for the rea sons have
stated J am opposed to this bill and
| | move that il he indefinitely most,
poned.
The SPEAKER. Th- motion befor,
! the House is the motion of the centl,.
man from Ellsworth. Mr. Mason, tia,
senate Document No. lSy bill An Act
feiatihs TO the care of persons re-
curing full support or more than
poned.
\ viva Noce vote being taken the
motion to indefinitely postpone pre-
vailed.
The SPEAKER: Is there anything
further under orders of the daya
Ny, BRAEE of Lewiston: Nj
Speaker. may inquire whether this
is an appropriate time 20 introduce a
bill out of order
The SPEAKER. The Chair will
state that that can be done any time
with unanimous consent.
Mr. BRANN: Mr. Speaker and gem
tiemen Of the House: desire at this
time TO present. or introduce, A bill
ont of Orfor and IN 81 ,,o,,.