The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-02-09
BY TELEGRAPH.
AUGUSTA.
ISpecial by International Line.1

| Especial by International Line.]
| THE LEWISTON & AUBURN RAILROAD DEBATE
THE BILL PASSED TO ENDORSEMENT
| AUGUSTA, Feb. Sat the expiration of the
| morning hour the debate on the Lewiston &
Auburn bill was renewed Its opponents, dur
ing the recess, had changed the mode of attack,
Mr.. Hunt, of Robbinston, being allowed to
| withdraw his motion of indefinite postpone
ment and offering the more plausible motion to
| refer to the next Legislature. Mr.. Fessenden
advocated the bill and swept away some of the
! arguments so forcibly put by Mr.. Webb yester-
day. Mr.. Brown, of Bangor, advocated the
| reference, on the ground that it was reasonable
to try the third rail that the Maine Central Co.
has voted to lay down, and then if the cities of
! Lewiston and Auburn were not accommodated
to give the charter. At this point Mr.. Perkins,
of Auburn, moved and the House ordered the
previous question. Here Mr.. Knight, of Port
land, took the floor He had but five minutes
by the rules, but the House allowed him to go
on As he proceeded he warmed up, and in q
few minutes he was pouring into the opposition
to the charter fire that they had not dreamed
of. He was listened to with the closest atten-
ton by the House and large crowd of inter-
ested spectators. 1t is said that this speech
was the turning of the battle and gave the vic
tory to the ''Manchesters of Maine" Wilson,
of Thomaston, followed bravely and with his
usual vigor and tact. The question of refer
ence being swept away by the previous question,
the vote was taken sluarely upon the merits of
the measure, and the bill was passed to be EN-
grossed-71 to 63.
THE BATH AND PORTLAND MATTER. \
A minority of the Railroad Committee will
report in favor of bill for charter from Bath
to Portland.
WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN MAINE.
The first appearance of the Woman Suffrag-
lists of Maine before committee of the Legis-
lature took place to-day before the COMMITTEE
on Legal Reforms, and, if interest is an omen
of success, the advocates of the universal ballot
have victory already assured. AT an early hour
the Hall of the Representatives was crowded,
and as the hour approached all available sitting
and standing room on the floor and in the gal
leries was occupied, ladies largely predominant
ing, though all other matters were suspended
for the time. The chairman of the committee,
Hon. Almon Kennedy, introduced Mrs. Lucy
Stone Blackwell who spoke for more than an
hour, showing that she had carefully studied
the question, and considering and refuting all
the objections to woman's right to the ballot.
Her sharp sales frequently called forth APP
plause. Mrs. Blackwell took special pains to
sert the free love and woman suffrage are an
tagonistic, and if the ballot is given to women
free love will have received its greatest check.
Dr. Henry Blackwell followed in some remarks
which were well received. Judge that the
speakers made a most favorable impression,
and the movement in the Maine Legislature
opens under favorable auspices, though success
lies beyond the year 1872.
THE JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEE
on Immigration gave hearing this evening in
the Representatives Hall. Commissioner
rise and progress of New Sweden in detail.
The results are 1000 immigrants, $4,000 in
cash, several miles of turnpike, several thou
sand acres of cleared land and success secured.
Five hundred of the Swedes had been self
supporting from the first. The colony was
prosperous and well pleased with the new
home. The way had been opened and now
thousands would come. They were rapidly
learning our language, and with that there
could be no more valuable citizens Last
year they raised 5000 bushels of grain and
5000 bushels of potatoes. He had raised funds
to provide for the immediate demand but urged
the Importance of an appropriation of $4,000
to carry such as need through to another har-
vest. After that not another dollar will be
needed. Land Agent Burleigh earnestly recon-
mends this appropriation. Mr.. Thomas re-
marks were deeply interesting and he showed a
thorough acquaintance with and great enthu-
siasm in this important enterprise.
THE PECK BOND HEARING
was further continued to-day. Messrs. Brad
bury, Strout and Pillsbury spoke at length, rest
ing their case on plea of equity. The commit
tee will probably be favorable to the petitioners.