The Portland daily press., 1872-02-15
BY TELEGRAPH.
AUGUSTA.
The Republican Caucus.
Maine Leads the Column for the Old Ticket
GRANT AND COLFAX THE UNANI.
NOUS CHOICE.
Especial dispatch by International Line


AUGUSTA, Feb. 14.-The Republican caucus
fol the choice of delegates to the Republican
National Convention was held in the Represen-
tatives Hall this evening. Hon. j. w. Porter
of Burlington, was selected for Chairman, and
Hon. Eben Woodbury. Of Houlton, for Secreta-
ry. Hon. John w. Perry of Oxford, presented
the following resolution, which was unanimous
ly adopted:
Resoloed, That Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler
Colfax are the first choice of the Republicans
of Maine as candidates for President and Vice
President of the United States; and with their
names inscribed upon our banners, the old Diri-
go State will lead the column in the Presden-
tial contest of 1872, and come out of the battle
with round majority of 10000 votes.
The following gentlemen were elected as del
egates to the Philadelphia Convention: Hon. f.
A. Pike of Calais Hon. Frederick ROBBIE of
Gorham, Hon. Isaiah Stetson of Bangor, Hon.
E. G. Harrington of Fryeburg. The following
gentlemen were elected as alternates Hon.
John Hall of South Berwick, Seth Tisdale, esq,
of Ellsworth, f. G. Perkins, ESQ.,, of Farming
ton, and Edwin Flye, esq.,, of Newcastle. The
caucus was large, harmonious and enthusiastic.
THE PECK BoNDsMEN.
The Committee on Claims has voted to rec
ommend that Gen. Dow and Mr.. Cummings be
released upon the payment of two-sevenths of
the sum due the State on account of the Peck
defalcation
TAXING OF FOREIGN INSURANCE COMPANIES.
Although the Committee on Mercantile AT
fairs and Insurance have already reported bill
taxing foreign insurance companies there was
so persistent demand for hearing on the
part of parties representing foreign companies
that an informal hearing was granted this af-
ternoon. Hon. Hiram Ruggles, President of
the National Insurance Company, of Bangor,
supported the pending bill. He said that the
press of the country had stated insurance was
disastrous rather than benefcent, and this was
wholly on account of the insolvency of foreign
companies. He claimed that home companies
have ample capital to do the business of the
State. Other States protect their companies
against those outside and he did not see why
Maine should hesitate to do the same. Mr..
Barker of Bangor objected to the hearing on
this matter, as the committee had once passed
upon the subject, and its bill was beyond their
control and in the hands of the Senate. A. j..
Chase, esq, of Portland, said it was matter
of great importance. A proper hearing had
not been granted and the bill had been reported
by the the Committee without parties interest
ed having the least intimation that the subject
was under consideration. Mr.. Loring of Port
land, said that two years ago the matter was
freely discussed before the Committee, and in
consequence rejected. No one now asks for
this tax except three Maine companies, whose
assets are $15,0OO,O0O while foreign companies
represented in the State have assets of $115,-
100000. The aggregate profits for the years
1S6S-'69 and 10, after deducting expenses
amount to but one-eighth of one per cent on
the capital invested. The tax laid by the pend
ing bill would drive many companies from the
State and those that remained would be oblig-
ed to place the tax upon their patrons by in
creased rates.
Commissioner Paine opposed the tax section
of the bill 1t would not be beneficial to the
business in the State. There is an abundance
of capital invested in the insurance business in
this State, embracing the very cream of the
companies in the nation. Some forty poor COM
panies have left the State during the past three
years.
At the close of the hearing the Committee
voted, 5 to 2, to recommend the Senate to strike
the section laying tax on foreign companies
from the pending bill.
-.E RAILROAD MATTERS.
The Railroad Committee voted to allow the
petitioners for charter for a railroad from
Skowhegan to Norridgewock to bring in bill;
also to report a bill for charter from Bangor to
Calais and to report legislation inexpedient on
the matter of requiring railroads entering cities
to connect. 1t was also voted to report a bill
authorizing the Knox & Lincoln Railroad to
extend its line to tide water The Portland &
Rochester petitioners for charter to Bath were
granted leave to withdraw. Ought not to pass
will be reported on bill to make uniform rates
of fare.
The last meeting of the committee will be
held Friday
THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
have agreed to report bill creating lien on
the real estate of sureties in recognizances in
criminal cases to be filed with the Registers of
Deeds; also bill amending the charter of the
Municipal Court of Lewiston, giving it juris-
diction in cases where the debt is $780, The
committee also report bill based ON the recon-
mendation of the Attorney General, permitting
the wife or husband to testify against each
other in criminal cases.
THE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR WATERS
have voted to grant charter to new company
to establish a ferry between Bath and Wool
witch on the petition of j. P. Morse and others.
It tts-sA MADE HAPPY.
The Committee on the Change of Names will
make twenty-six persons happy by changing
their names