Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-08

,nittee on the Valuation are examining the
valuation, and the Commissioners on the Ke-
vision of the Public Laws are incorporating
HE public laws of this session into new re-
fision.
Tabled on motion of Mr.. BARKER.
On motion of Mr.. BAKER,
Ordered, That the Committee on the Judi
ciary be directed to inquire into the expedien-
CIV of amending chap. 264 of the laws of 1864,
concerning the distribution of lists of Justices
of the Peace, as to insert after CLERKS OF
Courts" Registers of Probate.
On motion of same member, s
Ordered, That the same Committee be dl-
rected to inquire into the expediency OF glv'
ing city marshals the power of constables In
civil cases as well as criminal.
On motion of Mr.. HUMPHREY,
Ordered, That the same Committee inquire
into the expediency of amending an act to
prevent the throwing Of slabs or other refuse
into the Penobscot river, approved FEB. 0,
1865. bv providing that one half of the penal
ties be paid to the prosecutor, SO as to render
said act more efficient.
On motion of Mr.. PALMER,
Ordered, That the Committee on Interior
Waters be directed to inquire what legislation
if any, is necessary to secure and protect the
public in their winter travel upon the naviga-
bic rivers and waters of this State; and to
prohibit the cutting and removing of ice in
said waters, at such places as are usually
designated and used for public road or COM
mon travel.
On motion of Mr.. ToBEY,
Ordered, That the Committee on the Judi
ciary be directed to inquire into the expcdien-
CIV of so amending or adding to the law OF
taxation as to make it the duty of the asses
sors of towns and plantations whenever they
find in taking the inventory, any taxable prop
erty not by law taxable in the towns or plan
tations where il is found shall notify the as
SCISSORS of the town or plantation where such
property is by law taxable.
MIR. FoLsoM from the Committee on Inter
ior Waters, on petition Of VIM. McPheters ct
ais. for repeal of the charter of the Birch
Stream Dam Company, reported leave TO
withdraw.
Mr.. DAVIS from the Committee on Fisher
les. made the same report on petition of Ann
Ramsdell ct ais, for authority to construct
fish weirs, and amend an act authorizing Mary
E. Balch to construct fish weirs.
Mr. McDoUGAL from the Washington coun-
ty Delegation, on petition of Register OF FRO
bate of said county for increase OF salary,
reported leave to withdraw.
Mr. BAKER from the Committee on Legal
Reform, on the report of the Commissioners
on the Revision of the Public Laws. reported
that chap. 81 us revised, be printed for the use
of the Legislature.
Mr. WHlDDEN from the Committee on the
Judiciary on petition of the Mayor, reported
bill an act to authorize the city of Rockland
to raise money for certain purposes. Read
and assigned.
Bill an act to authorize Edmund Swazey ct
ais, to extend their wharf, was amended on
motion of Mr.. Kinks, by inserting after the
word "to' in the third line of section wider
and" Passed to be engrossed as amended.
Passed to be engrossed-An act to author
ize Leonard McCobb to extend his wharf into
the tide waters of Boothbay Harbor; an act
to authorize Nathaniel Perkins ct ais, to build
a wharf in the Kennebec river at Phpsburg
an act to amend section of chap. l9l OF the
laws of 1868; an act to incorporate the Sher-
man Steel Company; resolve providing for
the purchase and distribution OF supplement
tai Digest of the Maine Report.
Passed to be enacted-An act establishing
the school week and month; an act additional
to an act to provide for the restoration OF the
records of the Court of Probate for the county
of Cumberland; an act to prevent the throw
ing of edgng, &C., into the waters OF Pleasant
river; an act additional to an act to incorpor-
ate the Bangor Water Power Company; an
act to incorporate the Russell Steam Dam
Company.
Finally passed-Resolve in favor of Joseph
NJ. Soccalexis.
The House reconsidered the vote on motion
of Mr.. VosE, whereby bill an act to provide
for the payment Of counsel assigned to per-
sons charged with criminal offences, was re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee.
The same member asked that it might have
its three several readings at the present time,
and would state his reasons. As the law now
stands, there is no provision whereby counsel
may be assigned to the defence OF persons
charged with capital offences unable to pay
their own bills. A case in PenObscot county
had taken place where counsel had been as
signed to the defence of prisoner thought
to be able to pay. But it proved otherwise,
and the result was, after about two weeks
work, it was found that there was no way by
which he could be paid. Another party has
Just been indicted for capital Ohense, and 1t
is important that a way be provided immedi-
ately, SO that the accused may have compe-
tent counsel,
The bill was read three times, and on mo-
ton of Mr.. VosE, amended so as to provide
that the State pay the whole instead of only
apart
The question being on passing the bill to be
engrossed, Mr.. WATSON opposed. 1t looked
to him bill of more importance than APP
peared upon its face, and the haste to get ii
through only strengthened tnis inPressioh
He hoped and moved that it would lie on the
table for chance for investigation.
Mr.. HUMPHREY opposed this motion He
said the bill was suggested by the case about
to be tried in Bangor, and referred to by the
gentleman from Winterport. The whole pow
er of the State is to be brought against the ac-
cused, and he thought it no more than fail
that the State should furnish him with some
means to defend himself 1t would not in
volve the State in very much expense as il
only applied to capital cases. He thought il
wise and reasonable.
Mr.. DARLING inquired if the bill could be
construed so as to include minor offences.
Mr.. HUMPHREY said it could not, and he
should oppose the remuneration of counsel
assigned to persons charged with minor Of
lenses.
Mr.. BARKER opposed laying on the table
Simple humanity, justice to ourselves and tc
the State, demands that We care for it,
citizens by giving this bill a passage. The
suggestion he was going to make was, wheth
er the county should not pay the counsel Sc
assigned instead of the State. He did moi
know about this, but the measure he though
in the right direction. He hoped it would
nass for II claimed Immediate action