The Republican journal., 1919-01-16
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS.

The volume of business so far offered
in the two weeks of the 9th session of
the Legislature has not staggered anyone
by its magnitude, but the two branches
may be said to have made a good start.
The Budget hearings will greatly simplify
much of the financial considerations and
the Governor Council and appropriations
committee are walking through that i'm
portant part of legislative hearings with
dispatch. AS Governor Milliken remark
ed at the close of Wednesdays session:
"Well, we planned two-hour session
and we have three minutes to spare;"
very good Illustration of the willingness
to transact business and then doing it.
1t may also be said that every person ap-
pearing before this body is given all the
time he may desire to explain his estit
mates and requests, followed in mos
cases by questions on some point by mem
berS.
The officers of the House and Senate
are already performing their duties, which
are very exactlng, in the manner of vet
Grams and business in the sessions runs
along like clock-work
The prohibitory amendment to the Unit
ed States Constitution has been ratified
by the LEGISLATURE of Maine both House
and Senate so voting, although it had
been understood by practically all people
that the resolution was to be returned by
the House to the Senate and yea and
nay vote taken by the latter body.
The understood status of the resolution
was as follows:
The Senate last Thursday had voted to
-ratify and sent the resolution to the
House. The Senate later recorded and
asked the House to return the resolution.
The House considered the resolution last
Thursday and it was tabled by Rep.
Round of Portland. 1t was taken from
the table on Wednesday and ratified, 100
to 22. The request of the Senate to re-
turn it was not mentioned in the House,
after being received.
1t now develops that on Wednesday
morning before the session of either House
! or Senate an informal request was received
by the House from the Senate that the
request for the return of the resolution
be ignored, which ..as certainly done
This left the situation as of the Sen
ate's vote of ratification standing in full
effect, with that of the House added,
making ratification complete Maine has,
therefore, ratified the adoption of the
prohlbltory amendment to the United
States Constitution.
Inc Legislature ndd DuL Drle1 sessions
on Thursday morning, both branches ad-
journing to 430 o'clock Tuesday after
noon, Jan. 14th.
The Senate adopted resolutions in hon
or of the late Former President Theodore
Roosevelt, and adjourned.
The House concurred in several routine
orders coming from the Senate, sustained
the vetoes of the Governor of the meas
ures coming from the last session and
providing for the erection of an armory
at the University of Maine and exempt
ing the residents of Dustin island from
the provisions of the lobster law and ad-
journed to 4.30 Tuesday afternoon, Jan.
14th.
Budget hearings are in progress with
live departments asking for an increased
appropriation. The heads of the depart
ments were called in separately and will
be interviewed before any action is taken.
Private Claude r. Jipson has returned
to Camp Devens after spending fur
Tough at his home in this city,