Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-21
MIME LEGISLATURE.
Senate.

GGfftuSt-
On motion of Mr.. FRENCH,
Ordered, That the Committee on Education
be directed to inquire into the expediency OF
amending the law in relation to the division OF
towns into school districts so as to provide FOL
u uniform system of graded schools.
Mr.. Buck from the Committee on Mercan-
tile Affairs and Insurance, on petition of the
Directors of the Waterville Mutual Fire In
surance Company, reported bill
Read and assigned-An act to incorporate
the Missionary Society Of the York and Cum
berland Christian Conference.
An act additional to an act to incorporate
the Waterville Mutual Fire Insurance Com
pany.
Passed TO be eagrossed-An act to authorize
the County Commissioners of kennebec coun-
ty to lay out highway across the henhepec
river between the towns OF Watervllie and
Winslow, and apportion the expense OF erect
ing and maintaining bridge across said river,
upon said towns in proportion to their respect
i've State valuation.
An act to authorize Dyer p. Jordan to ex-
tend his wharf in the city of Ellsworth.
An act additional to an act comforting GER
tain powers on the city Of Portland
An act relating to evidence.
Resolve in commemoration of the character
and services of the late Edwin M. Stanton.
On motion of Mr.. WEBB,
Adjourned.
PETITIONS, BILLS, &C., PRESENTED AND RE-
FERRED.
By Mr. RoLFE-Petition of Peter Lepsis ct
ais, members of the Passamaquoddy tribe OF
Indians, for appropriations. Referred to the
Committee on Indian Affairs.
By Mr.. REED--Memorial of John l.. God
frey ct ais, Judges of Probate for amendment
of Probate laws. Referred to Committee on
Judiciary. @'~t
@ House.
THURSDAY, Jan. 20.
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. FULLER of Hallowell.
Papers from the Senate disposed of in con-
currence.
Bill an act to amend chap. 1876 of the pri-
vate laws of 1869, entitled an act to annex
the city of Auburn to the city of Lewiston,
had its several readings under suspension
Of the rules, and was passed to be engrossed.
A communication was received from the
Secretary of State transmitting the resigna-
ton of William II. Paige as Representative
elect from the district composed of the towns
ofVinalhaven, North Haven and South Thorn
aston. KS 9 ee s
On motion of Mr.. Kinks the resignation
was accepted, and the Speaker authorized to
notify that district of the resignation of its
Representative.
Mr.. GREEN from the Committee on Agri-
culture, ON petition Of Luther Maddocks ct
ais, reported bill to incorporate the Algae
Fertilizer Company. Read three times, rules
being suspended and passed to be engrossed.
Mr.. Foss from the Committee on Manu-
features, on order inquiring into the expedi-
ency Of distributing copies Of the work on the
water power of Maine to Manufacturing Cor
poration in New England, and foreign coun-
trios raporfad loo is lafinu ipavnadiaot
Bill an act to authorize the Belfast and
Moosehead Lake Railroad Company to lease
its road and for other purposes was, passed
to be engrosscd, rules being suspended.
communication was received from the
Adiutant General in reply to the House, order
requesting information as to the amount of
money due the State from the several cities,
towns and plantations in the State with the
sum due from each, and the cause of such in
debtedness, etc.
Mr.. HUME presented the following order :
Ordered, That committee of seven on the
part of the House, and three on the part of
the Senate be appointed to investigate the
matter referred to in the communication this
day made by the Adjutant General to the
House, and that said committee be empowered
to send for persons, papers and records.
Mr.. HUME said he considered this an i'm
portant matter to the State, and he begged
leave TO trespass upon the time of the House
for few moments TO explain why he had in
troduced the order.
In 1868 the Legislature provided for COM
mittee upon assumption of war debts. That
committee met and performed its labors
awarding TO the different towns of this State
so much money for three years men, SO much
for two years men and SO on. When the
selectmen came here to receive their bonds
which had been adjudged to be due them from
the State Treasury by this commission, they
found various sums opposite the names of
their towns, sent in from the Adjutant Gen
erals office. Take for instance the town of
fremont. They payed as they supposed
every dollar of their war debts. They paid
TO brokers and others over $23, 900 and they
have their receipts. They raised three years
ago more than one tenth part of their whole
valuation to pay their war debt They have
been adjudged to have SO much money. They
come here and they find opposite the name of
their town ~, 400 sent in from the Adjutant
Generals Office. The town of orrington is
similar case and the agent of that town who
came here and found how the state of affairs
were, told his friends that he hardly dared
go home for fear that the citizens might lynch
him.
This is the condition Of affairs 1t might be
all right, but he thought the people of this
State ought to know by what authority this
was done. This commission have set and
in few days their report will be placed upon
our desks, and it will show the most damnable
schemes Of villany that was ever known out of
hell. 1t will show to the people of this State
that they have been robbed of tens of thou
sands and hundreds of thousands of dollars
The air is filled with rumors of individual
rascality, and the formation of firms for the
carrying on Of the nefarious work-paper
credits, navy commissions and such things
Strong men have fallen under the influence of
them, and he thought it time that we know
the meaning Of these things If the Republic
can party has got men in it that are corrupt,
let US know it. The rank and file of the
party are honest. They spent their treasure
and poured out their blood to maintain the
supremacy of the law and Constitution He
believed the record presented here to-day
q part and parcel of the same villany which
the people ought TO know. He trusted the
order would receive a passage.
Mr.. HINKs said If there had been any unfair
play he would be the last one TO oppose an
investigation. Perhaps it could be all ex-
planned satisfactorily to the members Of the
House without the authority conferred in the
last part OF the order 1t WAS Iarge mower IN