Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-07
,11TNE,. ,:'j LlI,EGISLATURE.
EenAfe@r
TUESDAY, Feb.

Papers from the House disposed Of in con-
currence. c..
OpnEREp, That the Committee on the Ju-
dietary inquire into the expediency OF in
creasing the salary of the county attorney OF
Somerset county.
M. KENNEDY from the Committee on Lee
cal Reform, on petition of Paine Brothers
and others, for a law to exempt from taxation
capital invested In manufactures, reported
leave to withdraw.
Mr.. SMITH of Penobscot, from the Commit
tee ON Interior Waters, reported q bill author
ling M, III. ST. John and others, to maintain
and extend their wharf in Wheeler's Bay, in
the town of St. George. Read and assigned.
Mr.. DINGLEY from the Committee on Man
ufactures, reported bill an act to incorporate
the Deering Gaslght Company. Read and
assigned.
IN motion of Mr.. FOSTER of Penobscot,
the vote passing to be engrossed an act aadi-
tional to chap 40 of the Revised Statutes, re-
latinc to insurance and insurance companies,
was reconsidered, and the bill tabled.
Bill an act to amend chap. p of the Re
yised Statutes, concerning innholders, Wet |
ualers and intoxicating liquors, game up by |
special assignment on its passage to be en-
crossed.
On motion of Mr.. FOSTER Of Penobscot the
further consideration of the bill was post
poned to Friday next at II o'clock.
Mr.. DNGLEy of Androscoggin wanted time
to examine the bill and hoped it would be
laid upon the table.
Mr.. SMITH of Penobscot favored immediate
action.
The bill was tabled.
Mr.. MCCLELLAN of Waldo called for the
special assignments.
Accordingly the Maine Central loan bill
was taken up, the question being on its pas
sage to be engrossed.
Mr.. DrSGLEY called for the yeas and nays
which were ordered
Mr., MAY of Kennebec offered the following
amendment: Add afterthe word bonds, PRO
vided that nothing in this act shall be con-
strued in any way as legalzing the leasing of
the several roads now being operated under
the name and style of the Maine Central
Railroad Company, nor efecting in any way
any suits now pending in court, or allowing
or authorizing the said bonds to be convert
able into stock Of the same company"
Mr.. MAY spoke as follows:
have no disposition to join in any sense
less hue and cry against the Maine Central
Railroad Company, neither do l believe thai
its officers are exercising improper and dis
honorable means to promote its interests.
have chosen to seek information from instead
of censurng them for interference. True il
is the leading and prominent road in the State
and has great capital and great interests at
stake, but if it is kept under proper restric-
tions, where is the harmf Shakespeare says /:
"Oi 1t is excellent
To have giants strength; but it is tyrannous
To use it like giant"
stood in no fear Of any man or corpora
ton exercising improper influence over me,
nor do believe that there is a venal Senator
at this Board. / shall endeavor to act with
caution, and far be it FROM me to do anything
to cripple or injure this corporation in its lega
rights and usefulness. To-day this company
if it chooses SO to do, might discontinue that
branch of its road on which reside, leading
from Waterville to Lewiston, and suffer nc
great loss, as its main branch through this
city could well do all its business but nobody
fears that it will exercise inordinate powers.
We are assured that this bill means nothing
more than it shows upon its face. i confess to
my mind there appears nothing Objectionable
ill its features. Still jealousy in some minds
exists, and to make assurance doubly sure,
to disarm suspicion and allay the hatred O.
enemies, simply ask an amendment, pro.
viding that nothing in it shall be Sc construed
as to affect suits now pending in court, or al
legalizing any leases now existing between
any Of the roads operated under the style o.
the Maine Central.
In 1870, when the bill for uniting the p. &
X, X. & A., and other roads, was before the
that consolidation might create dangerous
monopoly and become a disturbing elemen,
in our State elections, and am still inclined
to that opinion; yet these roads have united
under the act of 1856, and claim that they are
virtually consolidated and need no further
legislation in that direction.
Would it not be unjust to reject the bill un
der consideration after the company has ex.
pended such vast sums which as yet have ben
Gifted the State three-fold more than its stock
holders, who have never received the first
cent by way Of dividends2 l think it would
be. The bill gives an accommodation to IA
cilitate the payment of maturing debts and
bonds Of the several roads and consequently
gives a credit and a market value to the new
issue of bonds. With the amendment car
willingly give it my support.
Mr.. MCCLELLAN of Waldo said the Senate
from Kennebec has given no particular reason
why his amendment should be adopted Any
number of amendments may be proposed to en-
cumber the bill or load it down, and Senators
may say they are harmless, yet he could mo-
see why amendments should be attached that
do not effect it. Unless there is some danger
of wrong being done in the bill he could not
see why the amendment should be adopted.
Mr. HARRINGTON of Oxford was called &c
the chair.
Mr.. FOSTER of kennebec then addressed
the Senate. He said that he desired
two things in offering any remarks First he
wished to explain his vote, and second, he
deemed the success Of the bill important t,
his constituents, and TO the people of Kenne
bee which he represented He believed i
important to the patrons of the road that tn,
bill should pass as it is.
In his town Of waterville the Maine Contra
will expend some $50 900 for altering tract
and building of union depot. He spoke O
this as an illustration that the company
should have money. What does this bill
asks 1t seemed to him that the bill was plain
and simple in its terms Nothing was vague
IN 1t. 1t says whatit means and means what
1t says. The bill called for Joint loan He
thought every Senator would agree with him
that under the statute law of the State. 10
which he called attention, the Maine Central
had right to issue its bonds. Beyond that
asa matter of law, these companies withou,
any Legislation have right to issue Joint
bonds. We have in this bill authority to
show money lenders, who are a cautious class,
hat thav hay otatIa.. A.