Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-02-03
CORRESPONDENTS .
Letter from Augusta.
AUGusrA. Jan. -, 1870.

"CoN>oLipArIoN" is the question up
pcrmost nov. This gigantic scheme 10
consolidate all the railroads In the State,
Is viewed hv many with marked dis
favor. By others, |, regarded with ,us-
picion. while great many strong men
are concentrating the weight Of their in
iluencr. 10 induce the Legislature 10
legalize it. What advantages the scheme
offers to the travelling public, or just how.
il i To effect those sections of the State.
having railroads in prospect. does not
clearly appear upon the face Of the prop
o-ition As submitted. The docket of the
Chairman ION Railroads. WAYS and
Bridges" is being rapidly augmented
by petitions, asking for authority for
town. q. i.aa thoir credit ia aid at the
construction of railroad from Bangor.
RIA Bucksport 10 Ellsworth, thence to
Maohias, showing that hyM Is breaking,
even. East of the Pcnobscot." where
it has been supposed, the sun only
ob.curcly -honc. Let the Senators and
Representatives from Washington and
Hancock see TO il, that their railroad IN
tercsts are not prejudiced by the terms
of tho Consolidation BILL Already.
has every member been interviewed"
and his nose counted"
INSANE HOSPITAL
This ASYLUM has been uncomfor-
tably full Tor several wears past Three
hundred and forty patients are crowded
into il. When the new Wing j. finished
costing SJo.0s, it will accommodate
so. This number. says DIR. Harlow.
'.i- n many a can be mana ed in one
Institution" At an early day, call
will D. made for an appropriation to
erect another Hospital, n there are 500
insane III the State, needing the care
and comfort ofan Asylum. or the num-
Der Of patient, now in the Hospital. 43
are supported entirely by the State, 237
receive State aid OF sl,50 per week to-
ward their support, and 81 are support
ed BY themselves or their friends. OF
the present inmates l5s are males. and
l79 females.
INTEREST.
The proposition TO lcgalize higher
rate OF interest, which was '.bone Of
contention" throughout the last session
of the Legislature-has been renewed
with fresh vigor. 1t proposes to legal
lie any rate Of interest made by mutual
agreement, and in the absence of such
agreement, the rate remaips at six per
cent. Practically, the law defining the
Money, like every other commodity, is
Influenced by the cups" and clowns"
in the laws of trade. The contest is,
between precept and practice, with the
probabilities indicating, that higher
rate Of Interest evil come out on top,
THE SCHOOL LAW
is up. for thorough over hauling, and
for some radical innovations. One is,
to abolish the school district system to-
gether with the custom of apportioning,
the school money per capita. That is,
giving to q district having so scholars
say 500, while contiguous district
having 100 scholars receives 800. An
other proposed change is, to "secure
uniformity Of textbooks" Such an
"illy-considered procedure" has aroused
the bOOk-makers, whose '.crait is en-
dangered," and by numerous Petitions,
are they importuning the Legislature
not to commit such foolish indiscrc-
ton" Much opposition exists to the
continuance Of the system of County
SupervisOrship of common schools. In
some Of the counties-Hancock included
the practical workings Of the system
have been stayed whole year to get
''fair start"
THE PEABODY OBsEQUIEs.
After . great waste Of time, and ex-
penditure Of elOquence, those who have
been in the "anxious seats" so long
were relieved from their anxiety, by the
vote of both branches Of the Legislature,
uninvited-to 60 en- sPGsss 70 Portland
TO participate IN the ceremonies Of the
Peabody funeral. The deduction drawn
from this lessOn Ia. II thee would have :