Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-28

"iAe1e nave tnelr lelEnD DOTS gone.
and why did they leave These
questions are ~ my mind serious
questions and worthy Of your most
careful consideration.
In answer TO these Inquiries | wish
TO give the opinions Of two very dis
tingulsfed gentlemen whose lcuuaIE-
lance nave had the pleasure Of
making since coming 70 Augusta
ana. peculiar as il may seem. these
two distinguished gentlemen are no
other than the chairman Of the III
alclary committee. the senator from
Yarmouth. Senator Davies. and the
other no less i distinguished gentle
man than he Who happens to be the
floor leader Of the majority party N
the House and the chairman Of the
House judiciary committee Now
gentlemen. listen TO the reasons Of
these gentlemen who in private con-
versatlOn with me. when there was
no occasion for any heated argument.
ana when they both spoke. as I con-
sidered. in an open. straightforward
and conscientious manner their opin-
ions: trust they will pardon iae If
1 MAKE them public here. as they
are TO my mind an answer to he
questions that I have asked you
In brief. what were the converse
tons On the car from Lewiston 70
Augusta l first met Senator Davies.
When he told me MS name I felt we'll
acquainted with the gentleman from
Yarmouth. having known him b.
reputation for years. He in all prot
ability had never heard Of me beforc
and upon inquiry l told him that |
was a farmer and represented four
country towns whose people were for
the most part farmers. Then the
senator told me Of some practical
experiences that he had ilad III the
line of farming, and he told NE that
it was the only business that he had
ever had anything to do with where
everything was going out and moth
ing coming in. He also informed NE
he had abandoned the business ana
when he got free firmly resolved that
ne would take his hat off TO Inv man
who could get living farming
A few days later 1 had the pleasure
Of meeting the distinguished gentle
L
Sc had known Mr. Barnes by reputa-
hon for some years. as ne vas 9d-
nltted % the bar IN oxford county
where | once lived. ana ne taught The
high school At Norway for some
years. He has been in position 10
know the conditions in my section Il
the country and our CONVERSE ton
ran along this line. ana l
recall that M. Barnes said ~ lie,
Il don't see for the life If me now
the Androscoggin county farmers get
by Ny answer to Air. Barnes was
that It was not my belief that they
were getting by; mat 10 my mind
the farm did not Exist N AndroscOg-
gin county that would pay rum ing
expenses and interest on the capital
invested.
The SPEAKER The Char will
have 10 caution the gentleman frum
Minut tMr Bean about bringing Ill
he name If any member # either
body
Nj BEAN If Minot. M speaker
would ask Mr. Barnes If l may have
ms permission
The SPEAKER The char Vii
rule that il is our Of order
Mr. BEAN of Mnot MIR Speaae:
am sorry If | have trangressed any
laws OF this body. | was not aware
was doing 80. but can not mag he
mat | Fave done any harm.
I have also referred tU the .sotHTz-i
farm houses. isolated because Of The
no Z,
have moved away and because. their
win the outer world $
NOT " nat II should be. Think If Il
family back TWO miles from the main
travelled road ana no means II get
ing cut except by climbing ever
SHOW drifts OF from II 70 ~ caet
They might just rs we'll % 1ut n
nId-ocean and think Of coming aslora
~ foot as 10 think # reaching riVili-
eaton AZ certain times over t,les'
roads.
SuppOsing that sickness occurs i'll 4
rs il s. likely 10 occur i'll al
places. cannot Won see. gentlemen. ="
peril they are IN. when il becomes
ne next thing to an impOssIh'lity -
get A doctor 10 administer relief
Nevertheless. these Isolated and
abandoned farms back On the hill or
TOSS road are the most productive. he
)est crop farms. the best dairy farms.
he best fruit farms and jhe mcst
leaithy place FOR a farmer 20 i've. n n.
humble judgment. that can ne found n
he State Of Maine. Still gentlemen ne
population Of many IF our countr-
owns III Maine today $ 40 greater than
What il was a hundred years aga ami i
-ery unfavorable comparison with wha-
{ was 80 ears ago. Gentlemen, II
would seem az If we we're progressing
n the wrong direction. I believe Il has
,een truly stated thar the prosperity o. a
.ity depends largely upon the pros
,erfty Of the country towns that sur
'ound the city. \ great philosopher Of
,ur day has said burn your city acl
cave your surrounding towns prosper
nus and the city Will spring up 40 If by
magic; but destroy your towns and the
;rass with grow IN the streets of every
ity in our country
II this ID logical and true. and | be-
isve you will be forced 20 admit that i
.. then :. becomes the imperative duty
# every member OF this body 10 give
he most careful Jnsideration TO mat
ers brought up here which are intend
II 20 De 4 benefit 20 that morgan re /
lass Of society which in Maine are
ailed farmers. and you from the city
houid look upon matters OF Legislation
or the country as being matters OF
sgisiation for the city as well
Now perhaps you are inauir:ng among
ourselves what my remarks so far
rave 70 do with the House Bill No =.
Allow me 10 proceed 20 explain. The
intent and purpose Of this measure IS .
i've TO the isolated farmer and coun-