The Republican journal., 1871-02-23
MAINE LEGISLATURE.

The Legislature is holding two session day
with view of closing up and adjournns this week
which objects will probably be effected. The
subjects under consideration are mostly old matters
that have been long before the body.
In the Senate, on Friday, the bill appropriating
$4,000 for the Agricultural College was passed
Bill changing school law was also passed. 1t pro-
vides that any town. by so voting, can authorize
agents to employ teachers. In the House, bill to
incorporate railroad from Brooks to Bangor came
up.
indefinite posponement. The bill was debated by
Messrs. Bird, Rawson, Wilson, Ray, Carleton
Mayo, Pike, Lord, stickney and Bonney.
Mr.. Snow moved and the House ordered the
previous questions to be put, which was on the
passage of the bill to be engrossed, and the yeas
and nays being taken it was decided i'll the airma-
tive by 81 yeas to 56 nays.
On Saturday in the Senate, the Brooks and Ban
gor Railroad bill came up
Mr.. Smart moved that the bill lie upon the table
and that Tuesday next at II A. NJ. be assigned Tor
its further consideration.
Mr.. Nose hoped that the question may be taken
up to-day as we have plenty of time to attend to it.
Mr.. Smart said there is a bare quorum in the
Senate and hopes may be assigned so there would
be time and opportunity for discussion.
The vote on tablng was lost, to- g.
Mr.. Vose moved to indefinitely postpone. lie
said this is simply petition from certain inhabi-
tants of the city of Belfast for charter for rail-
road from Bangor to Webb's Ledge in Brooks, on
the line of the Belfast and Moosehead Railroad.
There is also petition for charter for Bay and
River Railroad from Bangor to Rocklanl He eX-
planned the two routes on the map. Only Belfast
petitioners ask for the former road while petitioners
from every town on the route of the Bay and River
road are sent in. These towns are populous, COM
mercial towns. Bangor wants an open harbor.
Winterport is as good harbor as Belfast, and is
open or free from ice whenever Boston is.
The Bangor branch route does not go through a
single village, and is ut distance of only about ten
miles from the shore. There is not half mile diff
ference in distance of the two routes from Belfast
to Bangor. Referred to the building of the Belfast
and Moosehead Railroad as an instance of too much
haste in building railroads. The Bay and River
road from Bangor to Wnterport is surveyed, and
will be built probably next summer at least, just rs
soon rs it is wise to commence.
Thinks the granting Of the charter to the Bangor
branch will kill the building of both roads. Where
are the means coming from to build the branch
road: Bangor will not and Belfast cannot help to
any extent.
Mr.. Smart referred to the construction Of the
Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad, the failure
of the Maine Central to accept the contract for a
lease and the necessity Of having a charter for a
branch road to Bangor The distance of the branch
is about twenty-one miles, and will cost some $40O,-
900. The Bay and River road cannot be built-it is
u very costly and difficult route. The branch road
asks for no assistance from the towns through
which it will pass.
Mr.. Nose replied. Said the Bay and River road
can be put under contract to-day for S25 900 mile.
1t is our duty to deal fairly between corporations
We should not put club in the hands Of the B. &
NJ Company to beat out the brains of the Maine
Central.
The question was put, and on motion of Mr..
Kinks being taken by yeas and nays.
YEAS-Messrs Bufnm, Carvil, Foster, French
of Franklin, Fuller, Gray, Lane Mayo, Minot,
Nickels, Perley, Sawyer, Vose, Webber-14.
NAYS Messrs. Cleaves, Dudley, French, of
Somerset, Kinks. Holland, Rolfe, Smart, Smith. of
Knox, Torrey,-9.
SO the bill was indefinitely postponed.
On the 2lst bill to secure uniformity of school
books was presented. 1t is not though that it will
be adopted.
There is difference between the House and Sem
ate concerning an amendment to the Constitution
so as to provide for the calling of amending on
ventions. 1t is thought the resolve may be adopted.
The general railroad bill which passed the House,
is before the Senate.
A bill to abolish the State Liquor Agency is be-
fore the House, and the debate shows great hostili
ty to that institution