Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-03

many states in the Union do one
thing and SO many States In the I'm
ion do another thing. In some States
the judges do appoint their clerks;
in other states, the Legislature: and
in other States, they are elected by
the people. That is the method we are
pursuing here. Now it was but q
short time ago that we gave the wo-
men Of the State of Maine the ballot,
and at the very next session of the
General Court do We want to say to
the. women of the State of Maine
that we feel that We want to take
a fractional part of their rights away
from them and place it in the hands
of somebody else?
Now, my friends, do not be de-
ceived by this proposition. You can
trust the people ordinarily the most
of the time and feel that we should
continue to do it. The idea that
there are not good Men in the State
of Maine that the people will elect
to the Office Of Clerk of Courts! 1
have never known Of an instance
where they have fallen down, and
believe that we should continue to
elect them by the people. Let the
women have a chance to- vote upon
this proposition. If you pass this
bill. you simply allow the Clerks of
Court, a part of them to be taken
care of by appointment What are
you going to do with the Clerks Of
Court of your Superior Courts? If
this idea is good. your Registers of
Probate and Judges OF Probate
throughout the State Of Maine should
be taken care Of by appointment.
Then there is your county treasurer,
a very responsible position He ham
dies all the money: he should be
honest beyond doubt. What are
you going to do with him? Why not
have some organization that one of
Its purposes is to look over the per-
sonal accomplishments of the man
and let them appoint? The idea is
wrong; I do not like it.
Then here is another proposition:
Your Clerks of Court at home will
say l want you to vote for that.
How many men from all the coun.
ties in this State have been impor-
tuned to vote for that measure? II
would be unbecoming for a Republic
can House to place in power Repub-
leans all over the State of Maine in
the offices of Clerks of Court and say
NOW you are well rooted and you
can stay the e." 1t is unfair, and
l take just the position as does the
gentleman from Auburn (Mr. wing),
ana l hope that the report Ought
not to pass" will be accepted.
The SPEAKER: The gentleman
from So Portland, Mr.. Hinckiey.
moves that the report ought to
pass" be accepted. Those in favor OF
accepting this report will say aye,
contrary minded, no.
A viva voce vote being taken, the
report Ought to pass" was rejected;
and on motion by Mr.. McIlheron of
Lewiston, by viva voce vote,
1t was voted that the report Ought
not to bass" be accepted.
The SPEAKER: The Chair pre-
sents at this time House Document,
No. 81, Bill "An Act relating to Doll
tax tabled by Mr.. Murray of Port
land, pending third reading.
Mr.. MURRAY of Portland: Mr.
Speaker, / move that the matter be
taken from the table. and yield to
the gentleman from Washburn, Mr.
Story.
Mr.. STORY of washburn: Mr.
Speaker. ] would like to present
House Amendment A.
The SPEAKER; This is House DOG
ument No. 81. A former House
Amendment A having been enter
tanned and refused, the gentleman
from Washburn, Mr., Story. offers
House Amendment b as follows:
House Amendment 3
So that said section as amended
shall read as follows:
"A poll tax shall be assessed upon
every male ihhabitant of the State
above the age of Fl years, whether
citizen of the United States or an