The Portland daily press., 1870-02-11
LATEST NEW S
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
FROM AUGUSTA.
THE TAX ON INSURANCE COMPANIES,
Especial by Western Union L,ne.l

THE TAX ON INSURANCE COMPANIES
Especial by Western Union Lne.l
AUGUSTA, Feb. 10-Three of the important
matters of the session Were before the commit
tees to-day. The bill regulating insurance
companies occupied the attention of the Com
mittees on Mercantile Affairs until 6 O'clock,
when an adjournment was carried until 2
o'clock tomorrow. The two per cent. tax on
premiums collected, &C., is the question in dis
pute. II is understood that the committee is
not favorable to Commissioner Paine's bill.
Insurance agencies are we'll represented and
the discussion is quite spirited. j. w. Nun
ger, Andrew j. Chase and Prentiss Loring, of
your city, appear before the committee.
RAILROAD CONSOLIDATE
The hearing before the Railroad Committee
on consolidation was well attended. William
Atkinson, Esq, OF Emden, occupied the early
part of the afternoon. He would have it ap-
pear that consolidation would effect iniArous-
ly the interests Of the Somerset road. BE said
that it was the intention of the Maine Central
to withdraw its support. Gov. A. P. Morrill,
followed Mr. Atkinson, and denied that the
Maine Central had any such intentions; that
the Company has acted in good faith; had met
all its promises promptly; had paid $50 600,
and that their credit and endorsements had
carried the enterprise along. The Maine Cen
trail would be in better condition under con-
soiidation to furnish aid During the discus
sion the Governor admitted that the failure of
consolidation might render the completion OF
the Somerset Railroad probable, but denied
that he had ever said that the Maine Central
would withdraw further aid from that enter
prise if consolidation failed; which remark
Mr.. Atkinson said, had been USED to intimi-
date him. The discussion has been spirited
and not entirely free from personalities. Ad-
journed until to- morrow
THE KEEGAN DIcKEY CASE.
The majority against Dckey was une Spect-
edly large. All of the Republican members
from Cumberland county, except one member,
voted for Keegan.
SALARIES OF COUNTY OFFICERS.
The Cumberland delegation have voted to
recommend that the salary of the Judge OF
Probate be fixed at $1,000, Register of Probate
at $500 and chairman of the County Commits
sioners at $500.
DIVISION OF THE TOWN OF wEsTBRooK.
Mr.. bennett opened the case for the petit
TONERS in very acceptable manner, using
about the same arguments as have appeared in
the columns of the PRESS during the heated
debate of the past several weeks. Messrs.
James johnson, George c. Goldman, David
Torrey, Henry B. Body, DR.. Stone, Samuel
Jordan and Andrew Halves were severally ex-
amined The evidence was that the town was
too large; that there was diversity of interest
on all important questions and a want of soci
intercourse; that the division would defer the
annexation of portion of the town to Port
land The attendance fom WestDrook is
large; her business and wealthy men are well
repres ented. The interest and excitement in
creases. The evening session of the commit
tee has just adjourned to meet tomorrow at
o'clock. Mr.. Yeaton, of South Berwick, will
make the opening. The evidence of the petit
TONERS is all in. The hearing will be finished
to- morrow evening.
MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The members of the Maine Historical Soce-
ty met at The Court House this afternoon
Quite a number of the Society were present.
including President Bourne and Secretary
Ballard. The afternoon was consumed in the
reading and discussion of several papers rela-
tive to the early history of Maine. Partial re-
ports of the field meeting at Pemaquid and
Damariscotta last summer and detailed ac-
count of the oyster beds were given, and many
theories advanced as to the people that ate so
many oysters so many years ago. In the eve
ming the Society met 10 the Representatives
Hall. Papers were read relative to the Pema-
quid settlements. Mr.. Sewall read an essay,
going to prove that there were extensive set
Elements, even mercantile and manufacturing
towns, years before the settlement Of Massa-
chusetts. The Society voted to make an in
vestigation of the historic remains IN York
county next summer. Rev. DR.. Woods is the
chairman of the committee to make the ar
rangements. The meetings were full of inter-
est and held until late hour. The session
was one of the most profitable and interesting
ever held. CUMBERLAND.