Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-02-14
Augusta Correspondence.
AUGUSTA, Jan. 18th,


To the Editor Of The An'erican:--
, The porgic question of which | spoke
/ last week has been disposed of for the
present legislature.
Saturday report was presented from
the Committee on Fisheries that the petit
tioaers have leave to withdraw. Your
readers may have seen notice of several
petitions for u law to prevent trout fishing
in Frenchman's Bay. 1t was mistake OF
the printer who would add to the ldicrous
questions which after came up. There
will probably be report this week made
relative to trawl fishing, and If may be
allowed to prophesy. should say that a
restricting law will be reported.
che joint order, prohibiting the consid-
Grafton of bills or petitions of private
nature, has been several times suspended.
when satisfactory reasons we're furnished
for the delay; but a general disposition
was manifested to adhere to the rule. No
nec matter can now be received under the
rules. and the Committee are required to
report the present week OH all matter be-
fore them. Mr.. Hale remarked that it was
his desire that the house should adhere to
the order. lie wished the business might
be completed so as to adjourn by the first
of March. Should the joint order be dis
regard the legislature would find work
until April.
The mos; important measure which has
come before the legislature the past week
was bill for the establishment of supc-
rior court in Cumberland County. Mr..
Reed who supported this bill by state
nent of the condition of the courts in that
county male it appear duite plain that such
a court was needed to dispose Of two thou
sand eases which are now on the docket
awaiting trial. We learn, however, that
there are petitions from kennebec and
other countries for the same, and as Mr..
Stcts5n declared in opposing this bill there
is danger lest a dozen bills should be pre-
scnted another winter for such court in
as many counties. 1t is evident that the
present system should be reformed in or
der to insure the prompt administration.
of Justice.
a bill for the establishment of q Board
OF Education and county School Supern-
tendents is before the house. 1t is q care
fully prepared bin and proposes that the
county supe rintendent shall visit every
school in his county at least once year.
AMI note the text books used, the discipline
&C., and give such directions in the science
and methods Of aching as he may deem
eXpedicnt; to deliver at least one address
i'll each town yearly. to meet the School
Committees annually and hold monthly
| teachers institutes, and provide for mi
| formity of text book. His salary is to be
ten cents for each scholar of the average
attendance in school. This system is COM
| piled from the successful features OF
school systems in other states where its
practical workings can be observed. Ey-
cry lover of his country's liberty will look
with interest upon any measure intended
to promote the cause of education. Oar
institutions are to he perpetuatcd by the
virtue and Intelligence of the people,
Sweepn. retrenchments are needed but
who would hesitate to support u measure
which upon examination will be found to
promote the common schools Of the state
which have so sadly dcterioratcd? That
they have dc:crioratcl is evident If hut II
per cent of the scholars Il the state attend
them.
Now Mr.. Editor allow me line in reply
Your correction ofmy statements two
weeks since. | was last week under the
misfortune of CORES pondent who has
not the perusal Of the paper for which he
writes. Nor have now the communica-
ton before me; but think you CORE ID
my statement, as to the annual costs of
criminal suits in the Supreme Court Of
Hancock Co. | stated them to be six or
eight hundred. l had not the figures at
nn?nd. Reports in my possession which
| considered substantially correct made
such costs fol- the year 1866 to be $3.50. OF
course little of this could be for the trial OF
liquor cases when few suits of that Kind
were presented. The criminal costs Of the
April term 1867 were over 5000; l think
sG6l. This before the Constabulary was
established. In 1866 the fines collected
were not four per. cent. Of the costs. AT
the April term of 1867 all the fines, exel,,-
sive of runsellers fines, which were impos-
ed did not amount to twenty five dollars.
find upon examination my stateme ITS
wercso far within the facts wherever have
been able to re-cXamine, that am conf
dent all my impressions were correct
The criminal costs of. both terms of court
in the last year wa; very nearly $1,000.
The above statements are, as far as my
memory serves me, consistent with those
of week before last, made in the paper
which have failed to obtain.
SPECTATOR
LOCAL NEWS, &C.