Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-03-01

supreme court Of our State. No enc
KNOWS what the paths OF the future
nave ior US; no one knows who will
lead on in this fight in the years TO
come. We cannot foresee the posslbil-
tiles that lie in these questions. but
our only duty Is 10 act upon them to-
DAY, sincerely and conscien tiously
anL do what We honorably can 10 &C.
cure answers to them.
Mr- Speaker and gentlemen OF the
House. l have given a great deal OF
thought to these FIVE questions. !
nave worked over them many weeks
IN a conscientious effort to frame
these questions so that they would
become the corner stones OF a State
policy. I vas, however. not absolute
~ sure IN my own mind that it was
proper 10 as. these questions OF our
supreme court. was DESTROYS OF
consulting some gentleman OF hig.,
legal learning and talents. a man with
a broad outlook. and of great breadth
OF character. l went over IN my mind
the gentlemen IN Maine who would
answer that description and I sub
mItted these questions some days ago
oefore introduced them into this
House. to one Of the former Chief
Justices Of this State. I have received;
a letter from him IN which our form
er Chief Justice tells NE that in his
opinion these questions are carefully
and properly drawn that they are
clearly worded. that they treat Of
subjects Of much importance 70 the
people OF Maine and that in his opin-
ion the Supreme court would treat
them respectfully and would dou bt!ess
answer them. He closed his letter BY
saying that in his opinion the answers
OF the Suore ..e court would doubtless
be illuminating and Of much value 70
the citizens Of Maine When our
former Chief Justice. Mr. Speaker
wrote NE in those words. felt that
il was perfectly proper. moreover that
tons to the Supreme court OF the
State. and that IS what have done.
Mr.. Speaker. when the vote is tax =
en-. / move you that II De taken BY
yeas and nays. applause
Mr.. COWAN Of W.nterport. Mr.
Speaker, may submit an inquiry
through the Chair TO the gentleman
from Portland. Mr.. Baxter
The SPEAKER: You have that
perm lssion
NJ. COWAN Of Winterpor. Mr.
Speaker would ask the gentleman,
from Portland Mr. Baxter If legis-
lation is now pending involving these
five questions
The SPEAKER Mr. Baxter OF
Portland H.. answer The inquiry a.
he sees fit.
Mr. BAXTER OF Portland NJ
Speaker. I will answer the question
Of the gentleman from Wintarpor-
Mr.. Cowanl in this way. The sub
ject of water powers IN The State ot
Maine is tremendously broad sub
jecr There are several important bills
now pending before this House !ea. :
ing with the water pc Yer question and
into which these Ave questions would
At most naturally This question
suggested Itself 10 the former chief
justice II the state 70 whom | sub
:ni-1ed The questions. and his reply
vas that in his opinion. in view o1
the general water power leg,sia 10 :,
now pending before this House these
questions would fulfill all the require
uents Of the circumstances.
Mr.. COWAN Of Winterporr NJ
Speaker. anotiier question. and I ask
-rr u ~,
the opinion Of the gentleman from
Portland M Baxter, the subrl isslor
OF these g questions IN their pras
ent form to the justices Of the So
preme Judicial court would materially
assist in the speedy formation Of 4
definite state policy 70 bring 20 pass a
much more extensive Development Of
water powers in the State of Name
than exists AT the present tine
The SPEAKER. Does the gentle
man from Portland. Mr. Laxter wish
&c reply through the Char
Mr.. BAXTER Of Portland: Nj
Speaker will ask the gentleman
from Winter, .rt + Nj Cowan % re-
peat the question.
Mr.. COWAE ot Winterpor- NJ,
Speaker would the settlement Of
these rive questions II their present
form. to the Justices OF the Supreme
judicial court material. assist in the
speedy formation OF L definite state
policy to bring TO pass A much more
extensive development CT water pow
ers in the State Of Maine than exists
at the present time.
Mr. BAXTER Of Portland: Mr.
Speaker. the question is somewhat in
yoived and there seems 70 be one or
two phases Of Il that may have been
inserted for a purpose. Just what
that is. I cannot understand. be-
l;eve that the submission Of these
questions will throw great light upon
the general water power situation,
and that when answered. the mem
hers Of this legislature will thereby
be able TO pass much wiser legtsla-
ton than they would If they did not
have the benefit Of the answers Of our
Supreme Court.
Mr. COWAN Of Winterport Mr..
Speaker another question. Would
such an opinion Of the Justices help
TO settle any existing question as 10
whether state or private ownership
and development Of the Larger water
powers is most desirable from the
standpoint OF the general public
The SPEAKER: Does the gentle
man from Portland Mr. Baxter. wish
10 reply
Mr.. BAXTER of Portland: Mr.
Speaker, would the gentleman from
(Mr Cowan> please read