Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-08-29
Correspondence of the Eastern Times.
Legislative Proceedings.
Augusta, August 81,

This is probably the last Saturday of the
session. The public business is being rapidly
closed up. preparatory to speedy adjourn
ment The Senate have commenced holding
two sessions day, and the House have fol-
, lowed the example. The sessions of the Val
uation and Insane Hospital Committees have
prevented this taking place sooner
The Valuation Committee embraces good
share of talking members and nearly every one
of them has word or two to say about his
own locality. Since the Repor, of the Clerks
has been laid before them, they have had some
cloud talking" The arena of strife seems to
have been removed from the Legislative halls
to the Committee room. Notwithstanding this
fact, the unanimity with which the Report has
been received, is quite encouraging and highly
creditable to the Judgment and faithfulness of
those who have been entrusted with the labo-
rious preparatory duties. Some ten of the
Counties, we believe, were satisfied and the
opposition from the other Counties appeared
TO to have its origin in an excess of satisfac-
ton, assumed for effect. Waldo complained
and wanted a reduction, which suggested the
idea to Oxford that they were little too high,
when, after some reflection Penobscot found
herself to be figure too high" and so it goes
but after patient hearing of all the griev-
ances, the Committee rejected them all, and
accepted the County aggregate, as reported by
the Clerks, with the understanding that the
delegations from the several Counties gradu-
20 1a he
agree. The aggregate is just Hundred million
from which sum the State tax of two hun
dred thousand can easily be assessed. The
Committee adjourned sine die on Friday after
noon, with the understanding that the Talua-
ton should be reported to the House the next
morning-in which state it is believed it will
pass the Legislature without much opposition.
The Committee on the Insane Hospital is
also about readyto make its report A long
and tedious investigation into the affairs of the
| Hospital has been had,-between twenty and
thirty witnesses having been cxamined-and
justice will probably be done all parties, in the
result. The evidence was summed up BY the
Counsel for the petitioner and by DIR. Bates, on
Friday afternoon. Some interest has been
manifested in this vicinity, in the progress of
this investigation.
The Legislature has concluded to submit to
| the people, once more, the question of summer
or winter sessions. fair expression of the
people upon this subject, it was commended was
not had by the vote last year upon it, owing to
the manner in which it was submitted. The
saving, in pecunary point of view, of sum-
mer sessions over winter, we have always con-
sidered incommensurate with the disadvantag-
es of the one over the other. The question is
to be submitted to the people at the ensuing
election-when should it be carried affirmative
ly, The Legislature will convene as usual next
May-but another session will not be had un-
til the winter Of the year after (s53)-thus
saving to the State the expense attending one
Legslature-some sos 900.
The bill to incorporate the Gardiner bridge,
after some discussion, passed the House, on
Friday by vote of 81 to SO. The influence
from Hallowel and Augusta was insufficient
to deny so manifest act of convenience to
the travelling community as is ensured by the
experienced in the other branch, in securing
its passage-but we incline to the opinion that
| it will finally succeed.
The Free Banking Bill, will probably 90 over
10 the next Legislature. 1t has found favor
with many. but on the whole it was thought
better to postpone it for another year, that the
public may be fully prepared for a change.
The Liquor BH has not yet been acted upon,
and will probably not consume much time for
its consideration. Although having many ex-
cellcnt provisions, it contains some features so
Objectionable as probably to result in its defeat
The Judiciary Committee have reported a Bill
repeating the Homestead Exemption Bill of
The last session. and it has passed the House by
large majority-as i, very likely will the
4 Senate
Inc duii monotony of legislative life has
oeen somewhat relieved the past week by a
sp.ehuid source, given by Gov. Hubbard on
Friday evening last, at the Hallowe,, House-
FROM Twelve to fourteen hundred invitations
were gwen out' we understand, and certainly
not less than thousand were presert ~
evening was mild and beautiful. and h.,s
stationed on the balcony. the early part Of 49,
evening" discoursed fine music-when IN. g..
hall of this house-which had been beautifully,
decorated with evergreen and hung with flags.
| by the ladies Of Hallowell-was thrown open
and .....-. .... an. -...--f.s.s