Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-03
THE SOth MAINE LEGISLATURE
Stenographic Report Of the Days Proceed
ings in the House and Senate
SENATE


wednesday. March 2. 1921.
Senate called to order by Hon.
Charles f. Quincy, President pro tenn.
Prayer by Rev. w. J. Layton OF
Augusta.
Journal of previous session read
and approved.
Papers from the House disposed Of
in concurrence.
From the House: An Act 70 amend
sectiou s Of Chapter lit OF the Re-
vised Statutes, al amended BY Chap
ter 176 of the Public Laws OF 1917,
relating to the salaries Of the JUS
tees of the supreme judicial court
In the House this bill was In
definitely postponed.
Mr.. HARRINGTON of Kennebec:
Mr.. President, / move that the Sen
ate insist upon its former action. and
in order that no opportunity may be
lost, if IL ia possible for the two
branches of the Legislature to agree
on some change in the salaries,
would move that we ask Tor a com
mittee of conference. and that the
President at this time appoint the
conferees on the part Of the Senate.
] hope that no senator will object to
this motion, because il it is possible
for an amendment to be reached am
sure that every senator will want
that to take place, and that no one
would want to put any obstacle in
the way Of a possible agreement.
The motion was agreed to.
Nr. MORRILL, of Cumberland:
Mr.. President, I doubt that vote. II
in order r wish to say few words
on this subject.
The PRESIDENT: sThe question
now is the Senate has voted and the
senator from Cumberland, Senator
Morrill,. has doubted the vote.
Mr.. MORRILL,: You have not de-
clared the vote.
The PRESIDENT: The question is
on the vote, and the Chair rules that
debate is out of order.
Mr.. DARLINGTON: Mr.. President,
] move, that if the senator from
Cumberland wishes to address the
Senate that he have the privilege. I
did not suppose that on such a mo-
ton as / made there would be any
objection on the part Of any senator
TO get together in conference with the
Quiet DTdICI VI Int Gnu
see IL we could not possibly work out
some solution of this matter.
Dir. THOMBS of Penobscot: Mr.
President, / second the motion of the
senator from Kennebec.
The PRESIDENT: The Chair I'M
derstands that If vote is doubted
the next question is to settle the
question of the vote. In accordance
with the desire, feel sure of every
senator. including the Chair, the
senator from Cumberland will be
recognized to make his statement.
Senator Morrill, of Cumberland.
Nr. President and Gentlemen of the
Senate:
Now that the oratory in the House
and Senate, and elsewhere, has some
what subsidized, and had time to soak
in, ii seems as though the facts may
have some force in determining the
fate of the raise in salaries. The
financial conditions now existing in
this State are well understood; the
future is uncertain and ought TO call
"a halt in increased salaries, reckless
appropriations, new commissions or
new buildings unless absolutely need
Cd.
When a salary is once raised, it
stays there or goes higher, and 1t
seems TO be easiest TO increase the
largest salaries. Once commission
is created, IL seems inevitable that it
will continue to make demands at
every session of the Legislature, for
more money. especially for salaries
and clerk hire.
We meet in our State conventions
and pass resolutions for economy. to,
it seems TO me, catch the popular
vote.
Now, from the Acts and Resolves
before US, two Governors this year
have endorsed the platform adopted
by the Republican party at Bangor.
Have we paid attention TO our
pledges as set forth in these resolu-
lions and addresses? 1t strikes me
we are not proceeding along in that
direction. Sentimentalism ought not
TO be substituted for common sense;
words ought not to reign over facts,
as they often do. Do we lack for
courage to control our own financial
affairs? / hope not. There can be
no question that the financial situa-
ton ought to drive this Legislature
into serious consideration of the
financial conditions now existing in
this State. We ought to hold the
appropriations down to the reason
able, taxable resources of the State.
II we go on building new buildings,
increasing appropriations and SAL
aries, we shall be obliged to stop
altogether the same as we shall on
third class roads. But IL we stop
and build up our resources, we shall
go on paying reasonable bills. The
over burdened taxpayers of Maine
want hearing, and they want it
now, and wish relief and desire 1t as
speedily as possible. This sentiment
has been growing quite rapidly of
late. Public opinion In this direction
Is progressing, and once set in mo-
ton will grow. and proceed with a
completeness that is overpowering.
is this Legislature in sympathy with
the people OF our State 30 as to make
st lfty-fifty game? Our two Gov
errors this year have in their adj
dresses pointed US along the paths of
economy. Are we following them or
even going the way our best judg-
ment points out? 1t does not seem