Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-02-11
LRGISLI We.
statement

The committee 20 which the PROPOSE.
ton OF biennial elections in this State, ss
recommended by Gov. Perham in his
message, WAS referred. have decided 10
report a resolve to the Legislature sub.
hitting 10 the people Mt the next Sep
TENDER election an amendment 10 the
State Constitution providing for bienni.
al elections. and the change of the day
Of election to the day oil the Presidential
election. but leaving annual sessions of
the Legislature. Should the amendment
be submitted and adopted. there would
be State election in 1873 and 1873, but
none in 1874. ant then one in 1876, and
thereafter biennially. The State cleo
tons after this year would take place in
November. There is abundant reason
for hoping that q measure embodying the
substantial features OF the change will be
adopted. but the proposition to have an
nual sessions of the Legislature is ridicu.
lous. under biennial elections.
The Banking Committee arc disposed
to let the law remain as il il. with the
exception of the time in which dividends
on deposits shall be made. reducing it
from four to two years.
The Banking Committee will report
legislation ine1pedient on all matters be
fore them not yet reported. This of
course includes the savings bank project.
The Railroad Committee on Friday
considered Dir. Buffers bill requiring
cars to DO furnished with the Miller plat
form as a protection to tclescoping in
case of accident. The Maine Central
opposed the measure and presented =
platform Invented by one OF Its en-
ployees. No decision WAS given.
Mr.. Knowlton called the attention OF
the committee to newly patented self
coupling and car platform.
The Committee voted TO repor, - bill
10 extend the time OF the Portland. Rut-
land Chicago-llong Kong Railway Co.
TO build is road. to Dec. 81, 1877.
The Committee also voted TO allow the
Maine Central to bring in bill relative
10 its Portland location identical with
the p. 5. & p. Railroad bill.
The Railroad Commissioners appeared
in opposition to the Westinghouse brake
bill and it was tabled.
Leave TO withdraw was reported in the
Senate on the petition for an act TO es.
tablish uniform rates OF railroad fares.
The report was tabled.
Buekheld Railroad.
There was hearing last week, before
tho Judiciary Committee. on 4 petition of
citizens of Buckiield. that the Portland &
Oxford Central railroad. running from
Mechanics Falls - Bucklield and HIATT
ford, shall be compelled to run its trains
or have its charter revoked. +. y j.
Smith appeared to demonstrate, and S.
I. Auul6WS anu II. VI. llIllON iOl luc pc
tilioners. Nahum Moore of Buckfield,
and Nose. Alley of Hartford. testified
that the towns ON the line of the road had
paid nearly $500. 900 toward the construc-
ton OF this road, and that Smith refused
to run the road regularly in summer and
closed the road in winter. The petition
eri presented bill revoking the charter
OF the road. and providing that the State
take charge of it and run it.
Smith denied the power of the State 10
revoke the charter, on the ground that
there is special provision in it forbidding
this and urged that the idea of the State
taking possession OF his property. is not
only unconstitutional but absurd. He
spoke bitterly oil the inhabitants of Hart,