Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-14


Bill an act creating lien on animals for
keeping and feeding, on its passage to be en-
crossed, was tabled on motion of Mr.. WILSON
of Hallowell.
Bill an act relating to the payment OF GER
tain claims of Bickford C. Mathews, on its
passage to be engrossed, was tabled on motion
of Mr.. CARLETON
PASSED TO BE ESACTED-An act to prevent
the use of narrow trimmed wheels on the roads
in the towns of Addison and Colusibia an act
to incorporate the Oriental Powder Mills; an
act to amend the charter of the Saco River
Railroad Company; an act to prevent the
casting of sawdust, edgings and brush into
Stevens and Willitts brooks, i'll Bridgton; an
act to prevent the taking of pickerel in
Worthley pond in Oxford county; an act to
prevent the destruction of pickerel in Love
joys pond, in the town of Albion; bill an act
to incorporate the Deering Gaslight Com
pany; bill authorizing NJ. ii. st John and
others to maintain and extend their wharf
in Wheeler's bay, in ST. George; an act to
set off part of Letter Z plantation and an
mex the same to the town of Madrid an act
additional to chapter 425 of the special laws
of 1868 in relation to holding meetings of
corporations out of the State.
FINALLY PAssEp-Resolve in favor of the
T Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indians.
On motion of Mr.. ATwELI, bill an act to
incorporate the East Branch Pleasant River
Dam Company, was taken from the table,
amended and passed to be engrossed.
Mr.. CLARK moved that the vote be recon
sidered whereby the House passed to be en-
crossed bill an act fixing the compensation of
the Judges of the Supreme Judicial Court
and that Wednesday at i o'clock be assigned.
Carried.
On motion of Mr. Field bill an act relating
| 70 tho rpfu Of lists Of cfprE bp1 in
porations, to assessors of towns and to the
Secretary of State, was taken from the table
amended and passed to be engrossed.
Bill an act relating TO the compensation Of
county commissioners being on its passage to
be engrossed, Mr.. CARLETON moved to amend
by striking out so. 90" and inserting "S2 10"
The bill was discussed by Messfs. Webb.
Wilson of Thomaston, Perry Of Oxford. Garlic
ton, Lebroke, Prince, Porter and Sprague.
Mr.. PERRY moved the indefinite postpone
ment of the bill, but subsequently withdrew
the motion.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. PORTER then moved to amend by strik-
ing out his county (Penobscot) from the bill,
and Mr.. PIKE moved to strike out Washing
ton county, pending which the bill was ta-
bled on motion of Mr.. WEBB.
Bill an act to change the place of holding
the Supreme Judicial Court in the county Of
SOMERSET, anu u the siIIFG tON ID Oh
Somerset county, came up by special assign
ment, the question being on the adoption of
amendment "a" offered by Mr.. Gray, 10
strike out March in the first section, and
insert November
Mr.. CARLETON spoke against the amend
ment. He supposed the object was to break
down the bill, but he wanted to come to a
square vote on the question. He hoped the
amendment would not prevail, for it changes
the time of holding the court and will con-
| f1ct in such manner that the judges will not
| be able to make their circuit.
| Mr.. WALKER of Newport, said as he I'M
derStood the amendments offered, they were
to defeat the bill by reference to the people
| He was opposed to a reference to the people,
for the reason that he thought it matter Pc
culiarly adapted to the decision of the Legis-
lature. Not only the county of Somerset is
interested in this matter, but the whole State.
Since the establishment of the shire town of
that county at orridgewock, some eight
towns. forming the western section of that
county, have been taken off and added to
the county of Franklin, Which now leaves the
shire town within a tier of towns of the
western boundary of the county. 1t is now
in place where the distance from the east
| ern portion of the county is great, and il
does not convene the State. which is largely
interested in the matter. In the months Of
| March and December, the roads are often so
blocked up that parties cannot get witnesses
there, and the court is adjourned without day
without accomplishing any business to speak
of. Whereas, if the shire town had been at
Skowhegan, a place accessible by railroad
from every quarter, parties could have been
ready and the court could have had its regu-
| lar session.
He understood the object of the amend
ments was to defeat the bill entirely, and in
the interests of those living near Norridge-
wock. This was not to be wondered at but
the point for us to consider is 'Where does
the public good require it to be?' 1t seems
that 1t will convene only about 800 better
by being at Norridgewock than at Skowhegan,
but in Skowhegan it will convene 10000 bet
ter than it would in Norridgewock 1t is a
fact that the public buildings are old, and
there IS an immediate necessity of repairing
or rebuilding at great expense. 1t is impor-
tant that the shire town of that county be
| fixed at place where it is going to accommo-
date the people of the county, before this
matter OF repairing or rebuilding is entered
upon. The bill does not require Somerset
county to expend money in erecting buildings
at the present time, but the town of Skowhe-
gan is to furnish suitable buildings for the
next five years, and are also to give lot for
the erection of public buildings whenever
| they shall be built.
In regard to submitting the matter to the
people, he said there are but small portion
that ever have occasion to go to court, and
consequently they have no interest in the
matter. When a matter of this kind is re-
ferred to them-a matter which touches their
pockets, they will always be ready to vote it
down. He commended that it was matter
over which the Legislature should exercise
Jurisdiction, for it is better qualified to Judge
whether public necessity requires the change
or not
Amendment ga" was rejected
Amendment "B" (Which provides that the |
matter be referred to the people, was then
rejected, AZ voting in favor, and So in opposi
ton. ,
Mr.. GRAY moved the indefinite postpone
ment of the bill.
Mr.. BLISS opposed the motion to indefinitely
postpone for several reasons. Tie had the
pleasure of holding seat in the House last
winter when this matter came before the Com
mittec on the Judiciary. The committee, then
for certain reasons, saw fiji not to report bill,
but it believed, as it believes now, that the