The Portland daily press., 1873-01-29
Try TELEGRAPH,
AUGUSTA MATTERS.
Special to the Press.)



a Savings, Bunk Bill.
The bill amending the law relating to saving
| banks, presented in the House to-day and re
ferred to the Banking Committee, limits tn
school tax on deposits of less than $500 to one
tenth OF one per cent. semi-annually, and al
over that amount to ole-quarter of one per cent
semi-annually 1t strikes out the provision O
the present law making dividends every fou
years among depositors of one, two three an.
four years standing rateable, and provides tina
the extra earnings shall be divided among de
posters semi-annually. The maximum depos
its are to be $500 after the act goes into effect
and may be duplicated the second year. When
the deposits, including interest, reach $1,000, in
terest on the additional $1,000 is to cease No
person will be allowed to have more than one
deposit in one bank at a. time, nor shall he have
a second deposit in another bank in the name
of next friend With the exception of the
school tax, no other tax is to be assessed on de-
posts less than the maximum. Persons hay
ing deposits at the time the act goes into effect
in excess of $500 will be allowed to adjust their
deposits any time before the first Monday of
November of the present year. 1t is remarked
that the bill bears the finger marks of parties
who wish to evade the present tax.
Biennial Elections and Sessions.
The Committee on Biennial Elections held its
first meeting tonight. After considerable dis
cussion the committee voted to to report a
resolve to submit the proposed change of the
constitution to the people.
The Committee voted unanimously against
biennial sessions of the Legislature
Liability of Railroads.
The Judiciary Committee gave hearing on
the bill relative to the liability If railroads in
cases of accidents. The proposition is to change
the action from Indictment to common suit
for debt by the party sustaining injury or his
heirs. Hon. Joseph Baker appeared in behalf
Of the measure and Hon. j. w. Bradbury
against it. Mr.. Baker was very severe upon
the conduct of prosecuting officers who are at
torneys for railroads. Messrs. Butler and
NIortland were made o subcommittee to draft
l bill which will be reported.
Compulsory Vaccination. =
Mr.. Knowlton will report from the Judiciary
Committee tomorrow. The bill provides that
in March the inhabitants of every city
md town oyertwo years Of age shall be vaccin-
tied unless sick or having been vaccinated With
n six months under penalty of S..
Et Cetern.
1t is thought that the General Railroad bill
will not secure a passage.
The bill relating to uniformity of railroad
ares will probably be strangled in the Commit
ee room. f
1t now seems probable that the railroad fight
# the session will be on the application of the
ieorges Valley Railroad Company for an ex-
ension of their charter from Warren to Ban
or. 1t will be fought by the Penobscot Bay
{ River Railroad Company.
Tonight the friends of the Portland & Bath
harter are holding Jubilation at the Angus
o House in honor of their victory. Last year
he Maine Central held jubilee over its de-
eat.
The Waterville and West WatervilIe people
re on the ground and there is a prospect Of a
cry bitter fight between them over the division
f that town.
The Committee on Towns has voted to allow
he petitioners for the annexation of Hamlin
rant to Woodstock, to bring in bill.
The Temperance Committee held a meeting
o-night and succeeded in getting into a mud
lie. There was q sharp confab between two
members of the committee. 1t appears as
hough the committee will report conserva-
i've proposition.