The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-02-19
BY TELEGRAPH,
AUGUSTA MATTERS.
Special to the Press.)

Especial to the Press0
AUGUSTA, Feb 1S.
Firebrand in n Powder Mill.
MIR. Bisbees order directing the Railroad
Committee to inquire into the expedency of
revoking the charter of the Portland and Bath
Railroad Company has stirred up a first class
excitement, and the emphatic vote by which
the House passed the measure, temporarily de-
moralized those who were sure of victory gain
ed. There has been great change of senti-
ment since the meeting of the corporators at
Bath last week, and unless the parties in inter-
est can make it appear that it is a real move
for railroad and not speculation, it will go
hard with the charter. 1t is affirmed, however,
that the Senate will not pass the order unless
something more definite turns up Bisbec's vr-
der was carried to the Senate just before adj
journment and tabled. ai-.a Is
The order is the leading topic of conversa-
ton, and the Eastern and Maine Central men
appear on the scene in full force. There are
rumors that Judge Rice's opponents in the
Maine Central Company have the power to
overthrow him at the annual meeting, but the
wise ones seem inclined to believe that he is
master of the position. There is said to be a
grand scramble to secure the Maine Central
stock that is to be issued to the old Portland &
Kennebec stockholders to-morrew. One party
who has sold ''short'' is very anxious.
The Boston and Maine people are exciting
considerable feeling against the Maine Central
because of its refusal to take the freight of the
Boston & Maine through from Portland, and it
is probable that the Legislature will be asked
to compel the Maine Central to carry Boston g.
Maine freight on the same terms as it does that
OF the Eastern road. All the railroad interests
are thoroughly stirred up with the events of
to-day, and there is real work going on to-
night.
EFT Cetera.
The Insurance Committee gave Commission
er Paine hearing to-day with other parties in
OPPOSITION, TO some Objectionable features in the
pending bill
Contraryt to the general expectation the House
=, accepted the minority report ON the suf-
frage question by vote of GA to 81. 1t is, how
ever, much less than the required two.thirds
necessary.
There was lengthy discussion on the bill to
increase the pay of members of the Legislature
and Executive Council 1t was, however, de-
feated by ten majority victory of the farm
ers over the professional men.
The kill to enable trustees of academies to
turn over their property for the benefit of free
high schools called forth general debate
Among the speakers was Mr. Loring of Port
land, who made good points in its favor The
bill passed to be engrossed.
The House has ordered the Maine Central
consolidation bill printed.
The officers of the Thomaston Savings Bank
will be required to appear before the Banking
Committee to explain why they have refused
to pay the required tax to the State Treasurer
The so-called Portland & Oxford has been
taken in hand and bill reported to revoke its
charter if it is not put in good working order
by August, 1873 subject to the approval of the
Railroad Commissioners.
Speaker Webb is at home sick.