The Portland daily press., 1873-01-24
BY TELEGRAPH.
AUGUSTA MATTERS.
special to the Press.1
AUGUSTA, Jan:23, 1873.
The EtsUcatiCual Bill.

AUGUSTA, Jan.23, 1873;
The Educational Bill.
To-day the debate on the Commissioner bill
was more general in It's character. 1t was op-
ened by Mr. Drngley in rief,vigorous speech.
He was followed by Messrs. Bisbee of Buck
field, Mortand Of Rockland, Hatch of Bangor,
Corthell of Calais, Nash of Gardiner, Alley OF
Hartford, Totman of Clinton, Kenniston of
Boothbay Knowlton of Skowhegan, King of
Lyndon, Weeks of Augusta and others. The
general opinion seemed to be that some system
of supervision is demanded, but different from
that provided by the bill. Mr.. Bisbee, who was
the leader against the bill, became less stren-
uous for indefinite postponemcnt and favored
its re-committal. The motion to indefinitely
postpone was lost, 43 to 50, and a motion to re-
commit was carried, 121 to 81. On the whole
the friends of supervision can congratulate
themselves on better result than they dared
to hope for last night.
The Land Grabber
Without the representatives of the land grab
bing interest the Legislatures of the past would
lose part of its historic character. He prowls
about button-holng men and presenting his
claims, now for mill site, now for q settling
lot, now for bit of useless swamp; but always
after something which is plunder. AS the
lands of the State become scarce, his revenues
depart. There is one case pending now. 1t
grows out of claim on a "treaty" lot which
party failed to get on debt against poor set
tier and now he asks the State to give him an
other The resolve was reported to-day from
the Land Committee, and should be looked af-
L.. II. - ,e
claim.
The tAgricultnral College.
The Agriculture Committee to-day gave a
hearing to the Trustees of the College of Agri-
culture and the Mechanic Arts. President
ALLEN first presented the merits of the institu-
ton, giving a history of its progress. He
showed the needs of the institution and asked
an appropriation of $4,000 Messrs. Dixie of
Bath, Oak of Garland, and Perley of Naples,
members of the Board, urged upon the Com
mittee the Importance of the institution to the
industries Of the State. The Committee will
not report until after their visit which will he
made the first week in February.
Et Cetera.
The bill already reported, to provide in part
for the expenditures of government for the cur
rent fiscal year, amounts to 81, 49,, ,52S.90.-
Some of the principal items are as follows
Public debt, $4,000; interest on public debt,
$431, ,274; balance due on school funds, $S3, 3,54S;
balance due on school mill funds, S206, ,734;
school fund, S75, 900; sinking fund, 1866, S90,-
41O.57; sinking fund, 1868, S5S,571.12; salariss
of public officers 100000; insane State paul
pers, $34,O0
In the Topsfed contested election case the
Committee have unanimously voted to unseat
johnson (Rep. land give the seat to Foss( (Dem)
The Railroad Committee will give hearings
as follows: Jan, 31st, an act concerning uni
formity of fares; an act extending the time for
the Maine Central to complete its Danville juno
ton location. Feb. 9TH, Penobscot Bay and
River Railroad Co.; st. Croix & Penobscot
r.