Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-26

defend the State of Maine ana nave
told the people Of Boston they couid
come and sit in the halls OF legisla,
ton in Maine and learn wisdom, ana
I hope that the position Of Maine may
never become indefensible," ne con-
cluded.
"You do not question the right Of
the last Legislature to refer the Dill
to this Legislature, or OF this Legs
lature to refer 1t to the next? IN
uuired Senator Allen Of Sanford. the
chairman of the committee:
mot at ALL" smiled the Bisnop
handy. II expressed regret that ~
had not been disposed of previously"
The resolve heard by the commit
tee. which was introduced two years
ago by Representative Davis OF
Freeport and by the last Legislature
referred to the present Legislature
forbids State Aid in foundlne'
building or maintaining any insti-
tuition in which sectarian or denoml-
national doctrine is taught. or to any
school. hospital, infirmary. institu-
ton or educational or charitable un-
dertaking not publicly owned ana
under the direct control of the state.
1t does not apply to Academies IN
corporated prior to 1907. whicn take
the DIaC0 u IOWA 44l6AA cSAOSASs
Chairman Allen explained that two
other similar amendments were to
come before the Legislature. one al
ready introduced by Representative
Barwise of Bangor and another to
be introduced by Senator Brewster
of Cumberland.
1.-THE best proof that man is a
statesman is that he wants to amend
the constitution" said Peter Charles
Keegan, of Van Buren,, when the
meeting opened.
Mr.. Keegan said that he recognized
the resolve as an old friend of his
which had appeared in the House
of Representatives first in 1895. He
recited incidents of a four hour hear
ing before the judiciary committee,
which afterwards reported seven t"
three, ought not to pass.
"This report against the adoption
Of the resolve was signed by Elmer
z. Spofford, afterwards chairman of
the State Railroad Commission;
Albert r. Savage. afterwards chief
justice of the supreme court. a man
of great brilliancy and legal knowl-
edge; William T. Haines, few
years later Governor; Frank l..
Noble, then Mayor of Lewiston as
well as a member of the Legislature:
Willis r. Parsons, head OF the fish
and game department of the present
administrations; and Peter Charles
Keegan." said he. Il believe that
this committee should take the same
stand as was taken by the commit
tee Of 1885,
"You can put from s5,ooo,ooo to
$4,000, 900 into the University of
Maine and that is all right, but you
ought not to deny aid to small in
situations and dump it all in one
place." he continued.
This resolve is not good states
manshp, it has back of it the same
principle that is making all the
trouble over in Europe, it is a case
of somebody trying to impose his will
upon somebody else and measure
"Who arc its proponents, what
petitions have YOU in it's favOr?" Mr..
kcegan asked Of the committee. No
reply was forthcoming.
Amending the Constitution is a
short cut to craftsmanship and State
wide reputation" Mr.. Kccgan re-
peatcd.
Mr.. keegan in conclusion express
would report against the resolve as
did the majority Of the 1895 commit
tee against similar measure.
The bill amending the Teachers
Pension law. another referred meas
ure from two years ago, was con-
tinued, Chairman Allen explaining
that a new pension bill was being
prepared and would be later heard
nv the cOyTYpittap