Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-04-01

pass, OF the committee on JuGlclaIN
on bill an act relating to a bridge
between Orr's and Bailey's Islands.
House Paper 703, II. ID. 1853 tabled
by that gentleman, March 81, pending
acceptance of either report. and that
gentleman moved the acceptance of
the minority report ought not to
pass.
The SPEAKER: The Chair recog-
nizes the gentleman from Portland.
Mr.. Cakes.
Mr.. CAKES of Portland: Mr.
Speaker, there is situation at
Harpswell that has been in existence
for quite a number of years which
arises out of differences between
two factions of the town relating to
the building of a bridge between
Orr's Island and Bailey's Island.
The town at its last meeting had
about seven hundred present and
was divided into two factions, about
twenty odd votes apart. The fac
ton in favor of building a bridge
was successful. The other faction
has carried this matter through the
courts in various procedures, and [
think the procedures have gotten to
the point where it is undoubtedly
very regrettable situation.
The particular point in this bill
which l oppose, and for which |
signed the minority report. in effect
stops further litigation by process of
this House; and my feeling is that,
If there is right of litigation pro-
Hided under the laW-even if that
right of litigation is to our practical
minds inadvisa ble--it is not right
for this body to interfere with the
legal power of the court and elimi-
nate that right of litigation. AS !
say, | have a great deal of sympathy
for the people of HarpsWell. | per-
sonally think that the bridge ought
to be built; but i feel that the end
does not justify the means, and for
that reason / felt that | must sign
this report. ought not to pass. on
this bill which prevents the minor
1ty.-and, as you readily see, a mi
nority is only twenty out of seven
hundred, from taking this matter
further into the courts. The gentle
man from Harpswell. Mr.. Allen. rep
resentS the views of the people at
Harpswell, and as / say, l sympa-
thize very heartily with him and l
now yield the floor to Mr.. Allen.
Mr.. ALLEN of Harpswen: Mr.,
Speaker and members of the House:
l shall not attempt to make any eX-
tended speech on this matter. l shall
simply give statement OF the facts
covering the situation.
First, l wish you to consider that
the town of Harpswell has never
come to this Legislature, or to the
Legislature of the sovereign state
under which she WAS Incorporated,
and ask for any special legislation
whatsoever.
Second. I wish you to consider just
what she now asks. The town of
Harpswell simply asks of her sover-
eign state protection. Two years
ago the town of Harpswell voted to
instruct the municipal officers to
proceed and secure the necessary
funds toward building a bridge he
tween Orr's and Baileys Islands af-
ter the regular routine of the Joint
Board. which consisted of the
Highway Commissioner, County
Commissioners and Selectmen, had
passed on the subject, the Highway
Commissioner and the County COM
missioners being unanimously in ia
vor OF it, At that meeting. as it has
been so-called. the vote was not such
an overwhelmingly ma iOrity but suf-
ficient-Somewhere W n y-sevcn
ajority in favor of building the
bridge. Immediately after that, liti-
cation was started to prevent the
municipal officers from proceeding
and hiring the money. Since that
time we have fought the opposition
to this bridge through the Supreme
Court of Maine, and carried it to the
law court twice on mere technicali-
ties, on which we have been sustain
ed in every instance and have been
declared to be justified and IN the
right in our contention.
Now, then, we ask the State of
Maine If it has not gone far enough.
no 10
cision of the Supreme Court and the
law court-and Iwant to call your
attention to the fact that at that
meeting of the Joint Board. tho
Board voted that it was a necessity
and that the proposed site was on
n public thoroughfare. In view Of
the fact that we did not have such
a large majority at that time. we viii
admit it: but the LITIGATION has gone
so far that at the present time there
is practically one man with 4 few
henchmen who will always surround
man with a lot Of money who IS
determined that this bridge shall not
be built. Now the ma iority of the
people of HarpsWell want to sec this
thing stopped and it would be an
overwhelming majority at the pres
ent time that Il should he stopped,
and we are asking the state TO sim
ply authorize and ratify the doin~s
of the Joint BOARD so that further
litigation of this matter may b"
stopped; and I sincerely hope aui
trust that the motion of the gentle
man from Portland Mr. Oakcs) will
not prevail. (Anplause].
The SPEAKER: Is the TToreo
ready for the question? THE oues-
ton is on the motion OF the gentle
man from Portland. Mr.. oaiios. that
the minority report, ought not to
pass. be accepted.
A viva voce vote being taken. III"
motion to accept the minority report
failed of passage.
On motion by Mr.. Alien Of liarps-
we'll. the majority report. ought to
pass. was accepted
Thereunon the rules were suspend
ed. the bill hal its two several read-
inss at this time aod tomorrow 2s-
signed for its third reading.
The SPEAKER: Tho House Is
proceeding under orders of the Day.
on motion by Mr.. THOMPSON Of
Rockland If was voted 10 talso from
the table Senate Document 80. IS. an
act to amend Section 81 az Ch7pter
7 Of tho Revised statutes of 1910. re-
lating to elections and normttttn%
the use Of ballot boxes with devices
for registering and cndor@in" ballots
deposited therein. tabled by that
gentleman earlier IN the daV
Tho SPEAKER: Tho pondin~ duos-'
ton was reconsideration Of ~" nc
ton whereby this lill was passed TO
he enacted.
Thercupon tho House voted to r"-
consider its action whereby this bill