Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-02-25
Notes from the Legislature.

tween the printing press and the type
writer in the house. The typewriter got
a majority but not the necessary two
thirds. And for so commonplace and
simple a matter, there was q whole LOT
of orstory spilled.
The controversy was over the engross-
ing of bills. To engross is, according TO
the dictionaries, "to write IN fair large
hand" Pens Of special style are called
engrossing pens. In this manner the
acts of the legislative bodies were for
merly prepared for their final passage.
But in 1853 the legislature of Maine pro
yided that the engrossing OF legislative
measures should be done by printing
with large faced type, and IL has ever
since been so done. In an ordinary ses-
sion, the engrossing, done in this way,
costs something like eight thousand dol
lars.
This year Secretary of State Frank w.
Ball made preparations to have the
engrossing done on typewriters, as has
been done in Massachusetts for some
wears. he Purchased battery of nine
machines with special type, and engaged
a number of expert typists for the work.
Two or three short measures, which
were passed early to avoid the rush,
were done in this way, when Representa-
tive Benedict +. Msher Of Augusta dis
covered what was doing, and not approx
ing of the change, and liking neither the
appearance of the bills nor the method,
he got busy.
In the house be introduced an order
that the engrossing should be done by
printing in the usual way. Later ne
withdrew the order, because he had sat
is6ed himself by investigation that the
Law was plain and the order unnecessary,
and in doing this be took occasion to
make extended remarks.
On Tuesday a bill was presented BY
Representative Stacy c. Lanpher OF Sebec,
providing that the engrossing shall be
done by typewriter. He moved that this
bill be given immediate passage under
suspension of the rules, and be spoke al
some length In support Of his motion,
presenting several arguments, the chiel
of (which was economy.
Representative Maher spoke in opposi.
ton, and both made strenuous argu
menis to back up their position. On the
vote on the bill there were 81 In favor
and Al against. A two-thirds vote ID
required to pass any measure under sus'
pension of the rules, aud this bill, being
an emergency measure, would require q
two-thirds vote anyway. The two-,hirds
vote not having been given the bill, II
fails, and the engrossing will hereafter
be done on the printing press in the
usual way.
Tuesdays vote did not finally dispose
of the matter, as it was laid on the table,
and Wednesday morning came up again
In the house on q similar motion. This
time the vote was rather more strongly
in favor of the printing press than be-
fore, and after the vote the resolve was
Indefinitely postponed.
Another measure that has been in the
limeligbt is the "skim milk" bill. This
was an amendment TO the existing pure
milk law, taking out from the list of
those things which may not be sold as
pure milk, "milk from which the cream,
or a part thereof has been removed"
This change would make il possible to
take q portion of the cream from milk
with high test, and still sell it as milk
IL il contained at least 8 20 per cent of
fat. This bill was reported by the com
mittee on agriculture, but in the house
was stopped by Representative Charles
p. Barnes of Houlton, who spoke against
il, and Ii was refused q passage by q
large vote. The senate declined to con-
cur and voted to recommit the bill to
the committee, but the house just as
strongly as before insists upon its action,
and sho VS. no disposition to let the bill
get by.
The budget was presented by Governor
Milliken in joint convention Wednesday
morning. 1t gives in tsbulated form the
appropriations recon mended by the gov
ernor and council and the several com
mittees. A number Of weeks OF hard
work have been put 10 by the governor
and council and the committe on appro-
priations and financial affairs in giving
hearings and preparing this budget. IL
indicates a state tax rate Of seven mills,
one mill above the rate for the past two
wears. 1t does not include a number of
proposed construction projects, like the
KiItery-P Portsmouth bridge, and new
buildings at several state institutions,
and is q considerable reduction from the
estimates submitted at the opening Of
the legislature. Also it is not yet law,
and is subject to all kinds OF changes
The past week has been the great
social week of the session. Wednesday
afternoon the usual reception was given
by the governor and council at the e1ecu-
tive chambers at the state house, and in
the evening the usual reception and ball
were given by the citizens Of Augusta at
the city ball. Afternoon and evening
were entirely given to these functions,
which were brilliant social events, and
attracted q throng Of people, especially
of the fair sex, from all parts OF the
state. They are the climax OF Augustus
social season.
On Thursday the legislature listened
to two addresses on the subject Of q
league of nations, by Courtney Croker
of Boston, banker who has served sew
eral years in the Massachusetts, legisls-
ture, and Talcott Williams, president OF
the Pulitzer school Of journalism at
Columbia University. Both spoke
strongly in favor OF such league, which
President Wilson 10 now engaged In
forming. The particular significance OF
these men appearing TO advocate tho plan
Is that they are avowedly and aggressive
ly Republicans.