Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-01-14
Notes From the Legislature.

Immediately after reassembling Tues
dsy afternoon for the second week OF the
session, both houses adjourned until the
next day as a mark of respect for Ex-
President Roosevelt. The motion TO ad-
iouru was made in each branch with
brief but sincere testimonials to the
great typical American who bad passed.
Party caucuses were held Tuesday
evening, as has been the custom In pre-
yious legislatures. The principal matter
considered at both csucuses was the &C
ton to be taken on the prohibitory
amendment 10 the national constitution.
The Republican caucus voted 30 TO to
support the amendment, and the Demo
cratic caucus left the matter TO the con
victious of the individual members.
On Wednesday the amendment was
taken from the table in the House and
was passed. Ii brought out what were
really the first set speeches OF the SEES
sion, and peculiarly, most of them were
by new members. Representative George
81. Bean OF Minot read a prepared speech
oppos ng the amendment, and Represen-
tstiye Harry Cochrane OF Monmouth re-
piled advocating the amendment. Repre-
sentative Pike Of Esstport, Democrat,
also spoke briefly In favor.
A proposed amendment TO the resolve
providing Tor an advisory referendum"
10 the voters OF The state 10 June was
voted down. The vote 10 ratliy the pro-
blbitory amendment was then taken and
stood l2O to % The Republicans With
the exception OF Rounds of Portland,
and few of the Democrats, voted for
a. nN ehsa
Democrats voted against the amend
ment.
The committees were announced at the
Wednesday morning session. The Ok
ford County delegation are placed ss fol-
lows:
Senator Stanley Is chairman Of Public
Buildings aud Grounds, chairman OF
school for Feeble Minded, 10 on Banks
and Banking, Labor, and Temperance,
aud the senate committee on Engrossed
Bills.
Representative Chsllis Is on Public
Health, Insane Hospitals and Governors
Message.
Representative Eaton is on Appropri-
atiOns and Financial Affairs, and the
house committee on County Estimates.
Representative Forbes is on State
School for Feeble Minded, Library, and
the house committee on EDgrossed Bills.
Representative Jillson 10 on Claims.
Representative Stanley is on Pensions,
and Ways and Bridges.
Representative Sweat Is on Inland
Fisheries and Game, and the house COM
mittee on Eugrossed Bills.
Representative Swift Is on state Sans.
forums, and Interior Waters.
On Thursday the beginning of the
grist of measures for the session was
poured into the hopper. There were not
a large numb Der of them, that which is of
most interest doubtless being the bill
providing water power commission, In
PRODUCED by Representative Percival P.
Baxter of Portland, the father Of the
plan of state ownership and development
of water powers. Mr.. Bakers bill pro-
vides for q continuing commission OF
three mem ers, but their duties are con-
fined to investigation and recommends
tfon, and no action by the state 10 pro.
vlded for.
Representative Brsnn OF Lewiston in
trOduced resolve appropriating a mil
lion dollars for the erection OF suitable
soldiers memorials 10 Portland, Lewis
ton, Augusta and Bangor.
Adjournment was made from Thurs
day to Tuesday afternoon OF this week.
Some weeks since q man who Is near
the "ceuter Of gravity" OF the state
remarked TO Democrat man that II was
"going to be q short session this winter. !"
Whereat the Democrat man laughed
~. annlnnf~aA 20
the discourtesy, and explained that be
had heard that same short session talk
fifteen times In the last thirty years, but
be hadn't yet seen the short session.
There amt no such animal. One reason
for this is that the legislature works on
low gear for the first few weeks (hss to,
like starting an automobile) and then
gets grand hustle on at the end. The
other reason 10 the flood Of bills and
very important measures which are
poured into the hopper when u 10 finally
ready for the grist. IL will be spring
time Gentle Annie when the doxol0gy 10
sung, this year like other years.
Another thing that the citizens might
As we'll be prepared for. This legisla-
ture 10 going to spend more money than
Its predecessors, for the regular RAINING
expenses OF the state for the next two
yssrs, even II 1t doesn't vote to bald
any OF the desired new buildings or
soldiers memorials, or anything OF that
sort-and some new construction 10
reasonably sure TO be authorized. This
increase won't necessarily DO because
the legislature Is extrayagant but will
be inevitable, In view OF the soaring
pIicss which haven't as yet shown any
disposition TO stop soaring. IL the town
Of Paris has already spent about eleven
thousand dollars Of next years tax, II
can't De expected that the state with
the multiform branches of Its activity
cso grub along on the old number OF
dollars with their decreased purchasing
power. II isn't exactly pleasant TO pre-
dict increased expenditures by Q logisla-
ture supposed TO be pledged to economy.
but Ii certainly lent reasonable TO ex-
pect anything else.