The Portland daily press., 1873-02-05
BY TELEGRAPH.
AUGUSTA MATTERS.
Especial Despatch to the Press.]

Especial Despatch to the Press.]
AUGUSTA, Feb. 4.
Becoming Interesting,
The town and county contests, always the
hottest of legislative fights, the important rail-
road questions pending, particularly those of
Importance TO Portland, are bringing a large
crowd of people to town, so that the present
week will probably be the most interesting of
the session thus far.
The Railroads i'm Portland.
Judge Rice said Friday that the present con-
test about extensions and locations in Portland
was scamble of the companies to get the BEST
1.-THE air is full of birds, and we-the Maine
Central-want to alight with them on the choic-
est spot 1t is no wonder, then, that the city
is looking out lest it be covered with birds of
prey. Hon. w. w. Thomas and Judge God
dard arrived tonight, probably to see what all
these interests propose to do. 1t is stated that
the Boston & Maine people have made propo-
sition to share their fine location with the Port
and, Saco & Portsmouth and Maine Central
these will share their wharf lines with them.
I'm the Air.
For several days there have been rumors that
parties considering the railroad fights in the
Legislature a scramble for the advantage ire
spective of tie people, have taken considera-
ton for their votes and influence. New York
has its Erie rings, Pennsylvania sells legisla-
ton, Congress has its Credit Mobilier, why may
not Maine?
1t is said that gentleman was to rise in his
seat to-day a la james Brooks, to question of
privilege, and say that the whispers that he had
taken cent for his vote was an infamous libel.
1t is said that the vanquished but always virtu-
GUS Maine Central men have thought of intro
ducing resolution for a committee of inquiry
into certain alleged Irregularities. Whether
there is anything more than rumors, which one
company propose to use against another cannot
be told. Desperate efforts are being made to
hush up the whole matter, if matter there real
" is Something of this kind would give
sensational air to a very dull session.
The Somerset shiretown.
The Committee on Legal Affairs have been
giving hearing ON this question to-day, and
there is large and very eager lobby pen on
either side: Messrs. Lindsey, Hathaway and
Webster Of Norridgewock, appear for the party
that want to reverse the action of last year, and
Messrs. D. D. Stewart and Lewis Barker for
the remonstrants. The hearing was not finish
ished tonight and will be continued to-mor-
row. The general impression appears to be
that the petitioners will have leave to with
draw.
The Temperance Committee
held session this evening but failed to come
to any definite conclusion, and will meet again.
The Judiciary
this afternoon agreed to report the bill f the
Coburn Land Company in a new draft; also to
give the petitioners for the repeal of the act
establishing one term of the S. J. Court in
Washington county at Calais, leave to with
draw.
Eft Cetcra.
The petitioners to set off part of Benton to
Fairfield have leave to withdraw.
In the Hamlin Grant case, the petitioners
have been authorized to bring in bill to annex
the same to Woodstock. fEtst
The Commerce Committee will give hear
ing on the port warden bill tomorrow WED
nesday).
There is the best authority for the statement
that no change will be made in the State Lii
quor Agent unless the temperance people indi-
cate decided wish, which they have not done.
There is talk of so pushing business as to adj
journ Feb. 22d, but the more experienced MEM
bers say that it will be impossible if the mat
tiers in hand are properly attended to-
A public hearing upon the question of chang
ing the Constitution so as to give females the
right to vote on the woman suffrage question
will be given before the Judiciary Committee
tomorrow evening Several prominent advo-
Gates of the cause are to be present andispeak.