Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-19

the Dill.
Mr. VosE said the only question is whether
it is for the interest of the State to pass this
bill. He contended at some length that it is
for the interest of the State to give capitalists
every facility to develop our water power,
and proceeded to show by qdotations from the
opinion of the Supreme Court of Massachu-
sets, and by argument, that the erection of
dams for manufacturing purposes is public
necessity. Our constitution allows the taking
of private property for the public good, and
he should therefore vote for the bill.
Mr.. HUMPHREY thought the provisions en-
tirely unreasonable and stated his objections
to the bill by an illustration
Mr.. SMITH of Saco, spoke in reply to Mr.
Vosc.
Mr.. HARTMAN discussed the legal points
in the case and argued in favor Of the bill.
Mr. HUME did not believe in this kind of
legislation, and should vote against the bill.
Mr.. MILLIKEN took sides against the bill,
and brought to his support the Constitution
from which he read.
Mr.. CousENs spoke in favor of the bill. He
thought we coded State policy so that per-
sons out of the State wishing to come here to
look out for water power for manufacturing
purposes, may feel that there is probability
of their having title to one if they can find
it without the endorsements that have exist
ed heretofore.
Mr. CHASE of VIM, argued in favor of the
bill, and related cases in his section where SUI
perb water powers have been kept from the
reach of those who would improve them by
some party owning small piece of land re-
fusing to sell, and if willing to sell at all, at
such exorbitant prices that the parties nego-
tiatng refused to acceed to.
Mr.. DEARBORN thought the interests of the
State demand some action similar to the bill
now under consideration. He looked back on
what his own town would have been to-day had it
not been for this law which allows one person
to stand in the way of great public improve
ments. He would not give corporations any
unlimited power to deprive individuals of
their rights, but he was unwilling TO give to
private individuals the power of driving out
wealth such as we may have come into the
State.
Mr. BAKER again spoke in reply to several
members.
Mr. PIKE understood the matter to be the
old fight of the individual poor man against
the strong, rich man clothed with corporate
powers-a fight which has been going on ever
since the world began. The law is to protect
the poor individual. The rich and strong do
not need your laws, they can set them at de-
fance. 1t is only the poor and the humble
that need the protection of the laws; and
these gentlemen magnify the poor and hum
; laws, and upon what pretenses! The public
development and good. 1t is a curious fact
that near Berlin, the capital of Prussia, is
shown an old mill, the history of which is that
the ruler of Prussia wished to build palace
for the public improvement, and wanted the
site of the mill. The old miller said, ut is
my mill; it is my individual right; and in
woke Prussian Justice TO protect me In my
4 right" The court was appealed to, and it
4 :l.Is IL, rt.vlf ND typ
mill remained in his possession. When the
old mill became dlapidated, the sons of the
Prussian Monarch with rare generosity, re-
built it. saying that it shall stand there to all
time as monument of Prussian Justice, and
that mill is shown there to-day. Shall the
State of Maine be behind Prussia?
Mr.. ToBEY expressed himself as being in
favor of the weak against the strong, and he
moved the previous question. The House
seconded the call
Mr.. BAKER replied to Mr. Pike. He said
the Monarch of Prussia did not want the old
mill at Potsdam for public use, but for the
erection OF palace in which he might live
The main question was then put
On motion of Mr.. MILDRAM, the yeas and
nays were ordered, which being taken, the
House refused the bill passage as follows:
YEAs-Messrs Baker, Barton, Burgess Chase of
VIM Conforth, Cousins, Dearborn, Farwell, Foss
Guptill, Hammond of westbrook, Hartman Ha
thorn, Kinks Hussey, Lewis of Liberty, Main May
stone, vose,. Warren, Warehouse, Wentworth
NAYs-Messrs. Adams of Biddeford Adams Of
Mayfeld Allan, Alexander Ames, Barker. Bearce
of Turner, Bean; Berry of Damariscotta, Berry Of
Buxton Bird, Blake, Bliss, Bonney, Boyd, Booth
by, Bradford, Drawn, Brown, Chamberlain Chase
| of Woodstock Clark of Readfeld, Cole, Crockett
Duncan, Folsom. Foster OF Argyle, Gannett, Cot,
GRAHAM, Greenlief, Hammond of Paris. Iiawes,
Minot, Jordan of Brunswick, Keegan, Kimban,
Lamson, Leighton, Libby, Lord, Martin, Mason ,:mi
McD9ngal Mcka Means Mears Mi Ras MILL MILL
man Of Camden, sherman Of Islesboro', skinner,
Smith of Hodgdon, smith OF Litchfeld, Smith of
Saco, Smith of Warren, Smith of Parsonsteld
Thurlough, Tobey, Weston, Wheeler, White, Whit.
ney Wilson of Bradford, Wilson Of Thonaston,
ARsEST-Messrs Bearce of Lewiston, Bracket,
Bunham, Campbell, Cox, Cushing Gates Gould
Green, Ham, Hamilton, Harding Humphrey, Lane,
Palmer, Patten, Pierce Plummer Purinton, Riggs,
Sturgis, Slower, Thompson, Twtchell, wasson.-29.
Bill an act to incorporate the Bangor and
Aroostook Railroad Company was taken from
the table, and was pending, when on motion
of Mr.. STIcKSEY, the House adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Bill an act amendatory of an act to amend
chap. 224 of the law of 1866 relating to the
charter of the State Agricultural Society APP
proved March /. 1870 was read three times
rules being suspended, and tabled on motion
of MI. Baker.
i Resolve for the payment of lost bonds,
cupons and other State securities was read the
second time and passed to be engrossed.
Resolve appropriating the proceeds of the
sale of certain lands to the use of the Granger
Turnpike Company, was read the second time
and tabled on motion of Mr.. BAKER.
Bill an act to incorporate the Bangor and
AroostooK Railroad Co., pending when the
House adjourned was resumed
Mr.. SrICKNEY withdrew his proposed amend
ment to substitute House document IA for the
bill and Mr.. Kinks moved to amend by strik-
ing out all after sec. after the word ''rail-
road in line eight, and insert "between one
mile west of the Molunkus stream and the
east side of Bancroft therein, running north
erly by the most desirable and passable route,
between the east line of Houlton and the west
line of Smyrna and by the way of Presque Isle
to some point on the st. John river, at or near
Van Buren, Plantation"
Mr.. Kinks related the history of the bill
and spoke in favor of his amendment.
Messrs. SrIGKNEY, HAYES, IRIsA, SMITH of