The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-06-26
MILITIA Law.


Of Maine, excepting the last section, which pro-
vides that the commissions Of Major Generals
under the authority Of Massachusetts shall be
vacated from and after the passing Of the laws;
and asethsr section requiring the Governor to
issue brevet commissions to all officers under the
to the same rank they have held under the old
STATE.
The bill exempts ministers ofthe Gospel Of
every denomination from military duty, and fixes
m equivalent at six dollars annually for certain
officers Of Government therein named, and
school masters, students Of Divinity, officers and
students Of Colleges and Academies, PHI, sicians
and Surgeons, military .6csrs who have held
commissions less than six years, and certain 9th.
sr descriptions of persons. -Quakers and Shakers
are required to pay three dollars annually, for
the privilege of 1smption, the anount to be dis
posed Of, for charitable purposes.
We understand the Selectmen of this town
have appointed WILLIAM Willis, Esq. to deliv-
er the town Grafton On the approaching Ami
versary Of American Independence.
Or Those who are desirous Of uniting IN the
exercises Of that day, are requested 10 meet at
rening at o'clock, TO make the necessary
arrangements. ,..
We understand meeting ofthe citizens Of this
town is notified to be held this afternoon At ;
O'Clock, at the Westinghouse Of the Sd parish ito
consider the expedency of petitioning the Leg
islature for 4 repeal Of the Act for preventing
public Stage plays, interludes and other Theat-
rical entertainments"
We understand petition has been presented
to the Legislature for the repeal OF Law Of the
Commonwealth OF Massachusetts, passed in
1906. prohibiting "public stage plays and other
entertainments" Il Is thought by the
petitioners to be . Law imposing harsh restric.
ton. upon an amusement which they consider
innocent and instructive, and one which ops.
rates unequally upon certain class Of men,
while it encourages others Of contemptble char.
acter as rope dancers. enpiricks and charlatans,
who have no pretentions to public indulgence.
One cause, a. we learn, Of presenting this petit.
lion, was that complaints had been made under !
The existing law for the rscosnzancs Of the &C
Tors who are performing here in violation Of that
law. It's also believed ~ the petitioners, that
public opinion, chastened and correct A. II is 10
This town, would more securely discourage sxhi. |
billions Of this Sort than the rigid execution Of
the laws, which, disproportionats to the Of
fence, serve to produce reaction and keep up un-
necessary and unpleasant excitement, and occa- |
sion more injury to good morals-to the feelings |
and hearts Of men, than the very represent ations
they are intended to restrain. The merits Of the
question IN tho advantage or disadvantage of
Theatrical exhibitions. are not at present. con-
sidered by the petitioners, but rather the policy
Of law, which from the facility Of evading it,
and the state Of society cannst be easily nor
properly enforced.
An act has passed both branches of the
Legislature extending the provisions OF the
law d Massachusetts, bestowing $4,000 anRu
ally ior the benefit Of Bowdoin College to ten
years from this time which is about seven
years from the expiration OF that law. They
have also granted $1,000 annually, 10 Water
Vile Institution, for seven years The
report on this subject will be found under
Legislative proceedings.
The bill ON the subjec, OF the militia has
received some material amendments in the
Senate, and been sent TO the House for con
All restrictions upon Shakers aud
Quakers have been taken OF M that body, and
many Of those who were condilionslly ex-
emp,ed by the bill have been required to do
military duty or pay the full equivalen now
established, !, IS thought most Of ,be a,nend-
meni. OF the Senate will be nonconcurred in
HE. House.
The Heather was unusually warm on Tues
day, Wednesday and Thursday Of last week.
The Thermometer on each Of those days rising
above 90', in the shade an a current of air and
on Thursday II exceeded $40 in the place where
last year Il never rose higher than 93o On Tues.
day evening there was shower in the vicinity,
which changed the wind and cooled the air.
In publishing tho yeas and nays in our last, our
inadvertently misplaced the heads so
as 20 render one or two Of them essentially wrong.
When we are more at leisure we shall endeavor
TO correct them.