Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-03

: message was received from The Senate
proposing a joint convention Of the tive
branches Of the Legislature this day nj 2
o'clock p. NJ, in the Representatives, Hall
for the purpose of administering to the Gov
ernor elect the necessary oaths of office, and
asking the concurrence Of the House.
The House acquiesced in the proposition
for Il convention. and the Senate was so noti-
fled.
Mn. DlxGLrY of Lewiston, laid on the Ia
bic to have printed bill for the formation
Of railroad corporations. lie did It at this
stage OF the proceedings that members OF the
House might consder it with view to some
ultimate action. The bill is substantially the
Massachusetts Law en- the same subject, and
provides in substance, that twenty-five or
more persons may organize themselves as a
railroad company by signing articles ofagree-
ment, stating the termini of the proposed
route, its length, and the towns and cities
through which it shall pass. The capital
stock, which shall not be less than Sl2, 900
per mile when the gauge shall be #. and s
II inches, or more, and $1,000 per mile
when the gauge shall be ft also state the
names of nine persons to serve as directors.
That the directors of the purposed road shall
cause the rouge to be surveyed, and detailed
plan Of the same made, Bnd whenever
the directors, ana HUtnOENieS Oh luWUS anu
cities shall agree upon route, in such cities
or towns, they shall sign an agreement to
that effect which shall be conclusive that
whenever the authorities of any city or town
disagree as to the route, there shall be an an
peal taken to the board Of railroad commits
sioners that when the stock shall be sub
scribed, aud ten per cent. of the same actual
~ be paid in, that statement of the facts
etc, shall be presented to the railroad COM
missioners, and if they find that the law has
been carried into effect, that they shall give
n certificate, which shall be recorded in the
Office of the Secretary of State, and from that
time the company shall be deemed to be truly
established, and authorized to construct their
railroad line; that if said company does not
enter upon the work of construction, and ey-
pend 10 per cent. thereon, at least, within
two years, and does not complete and set in
operation said roed within four years, then
the articles of association shall be void, and
the corporation shall cease TO exist.
1t seemed to him that the time has come
when this state should follow Massachusetts,
Ohio, and other states, and leave tho con-
struction OF railroads to be governed by the
laws of business. 1t seemed to him that too
much time is occupied by the Legislature in
controversy over railroad charters, which are
in the end granted. The difficulty is increas-
ing from year to year, and public business
which should have the preference is allowed
to be decided, not on its own merits, but in
connection with some railroad question. He
thought that the public interest would be bet
ter subserved by such law. The bill was
ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr.. VINToN, the House vot.
ed to adjourn to meet Mt > O'Clock j. NJ,
when it should adjourn.
On morton Of Mn. IATCu Of Bangor,
Adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr.. CoETHELL announced the attendance
of Mr.. Wilder, member eject from Pembroke
and discharged the duty OF conducting him
to the Governor and Council Chamber, where
he was qualified to enter upon the discharge
o, his official duties.
At the hour fixed for convention Of the two
branches, the Senate came in and a convention
was formed.
Is CONTENTION.
Mr. ABBOTT of Kennebec, was charged with
message to Hon. Sidney Perham, Governor
elect, informing him that a convention of the
two branches Of the Legislature were as
sembled in the Representatives. Hall for the