The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-02-28
The LegislatuHe Of 1871.

The Legislature of 1871 is remarkable for
lts short session and for its parsimony in the
appropriation of money. On both these &C.
counts lis members are to be CONGRATULATED
To do well and to do it quickly are botn n'sn
ly commendable. But there are two OF 'ui.o
things that the Legislature of 1871 diu ho' w
tina. seem to us to detract somewhat "o--- 'N0
honorabeness of its record
ITS SHAME.
First Of all it did nothing of any Importance |
for tho common schools. These schools are |
in a lamenlabe state, and the people will re-
lapse by easy stages into barbalism if some
thing is not done to arrest their decay. 1t is
good thing to reduce the taxes over hundred
thousand dollars in one year, as the Legisla'
ture that has just adjourned did, but the foun-
dation of future high taxes and OF every other
evil is already laid in the State where only
fifty per CEN. Of the children attend school,
A law providing Tor compulsory attendance Is
imperatively needed, and provision should be
made for u.uch larger expenditure OF mon
ey. There is considerable dissatisfaction with
the present method of county supervision, as
Is conclusyely shown by the decisive vote in
the House abolshing it, but we think the
Senate was certainly right in resisting this he
roic method of treating the matter until some
substitute Tor the depcsed officers could be
suggested. The refusal to raise the salary OF
Superintendent johnson was perhaps not
reprehensible. The State is largely indebted
to him tor the ability and unparalleled vigor he
has exhibited in intuslng new life into the
moribund school system, but Maine is poor
and small Stale, and the salary now paid the
Superintendent of Schools, if inadequate, is
large when compared with that Of school
teachers. Another attempt to establish uni
formity of school books failed. The law pass
ed iast winter transferring the power to en-
school committee is modified SO as to permit
each town TO decide for itself where it will be-
stow this important power-a change for the
worse. if anything, and one born Of Demo
cratic "oratins" about GENERALIZATION.
RAILROADS.
There has been an immense amount of rail-
road legislation for so short session. Almost
every railroad corporation in the State has re-
titioned for some amendment to its charter.
The Maine Central and Kennebec roads are
permitted to connect at Waterville instead OF
at Kendall's Mills-to the slight detriment OF
the College grounds, but 10 the general advan-
tage of the public. The Androscog2in road
may connect itself with the Grand Trunk at
Danville, but may not be extended from
Brunswick to Bath. The Portland & Rut
lane, alter stout engagement OF railroad
k.n.s and kaisers is denied an extension of
time to locate its route, while. the Boston &
Maine, alter still more famous battle, is per-
mitted to extend its road from Berwick juno.
ton to this city. The Belfast & Mocsehead
Lake road may have its bonds purchased by
toe city of Belfast. but Its efforts for branch
from Brooks to Bangor were thwarted by the
Penobscot Bay & River corporation. The
long standing ieud between Houltcn & Presque
Isle is settled forever, we hope, by the grant,
Ing OF charter Tor Northern Aroostook
railroad that is acceptable 10 all parties. The
SOme rset road may be extended to Bingham.
The Leeds & Pennington road has permission
to issue bonds 10 it, stockholders, and the
Knox & Lincoln road to take land for gravel
pits. The Portland & Rochester road is De-
cuiarly fortunate in obtaining all it asked
1t may now make its eastern terminus at Fish
Point and build branches iron Alfred to South
Berwick, and from Cumberland Mills to Port
land. The charters Tor a road from Danville
to Gorham and from Springvals to connect
with the Great Falls and Conway were de-
feated.
GENERAL RAILROAD LEGISLATION,
There has been some general legislation of
importance. Acts permitting all companies
to build branches IN the towns through which
they pass, and regulating railroad corpora
tons by making their tickets issued on any
given day good for more than one day were
passed. 1t was thought best TO do nothing
about consolidation, it being reported by the
proper committee that The existing laws are
sufficient. The general railroad bill was, as
usual, defeated, and charters will be granted
by special acts as heretofore.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
The struggle over the revision OF the Stat.
utes is ended, the new code having gone final
ly into effect On the fir of February. The
appor;ionment for Senators. Rep esentatlves
and members of the Executive Council has
been matter of great Importance. We be.
lieve It has been effected with more than the
usual fairness, though we notice that the
Maine Standard, speaking in behalf of the
Democracy, expresses intense dissatisfaction.
The usual bill continuing the suspension OF
specie pa ments was passed. The division of
Westbrook quiets another strife OF long stand
ing. The paper credit report, testimony and |
all. is to be printed. The lorgie law of last |
winter was repeated.
IMPORTANT MEASURES DEFEATED.
Absolutely nothing was done towards pro-
viding Tor amendments to the Constitution. |
The attempt to pass general law permitting
towns to aid manufactures was defeated by |
the wisdom OF the House, though certain spe
cial measures of this kind went through at |
the close of the session. Nothing was done
to reform the Jail system, and nothing decis-
I've as to an industrial school tor girls. The |
attempt " abolish the State Liquor Agency
failed. We believe there was no attempt
whatever to tinker the liquor law. The prop
ositions 10 exempt women from arrest, to place |
certain restrictions upon savings banks and to
tax their deposits were defeated. The med-
cal bill, providing that persons who undertake
to cure disease shall be properly qualified, also
failed.
APPROPRIATIONS
ho fnllovu;pr ic q no rf;oI l;e< 81
priatons: