Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-21
Senate.

Senate met according to adjournment
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. FRENCH of Augusta.
The journal of yesterday proceedings was
read and approved.
Papers from the House disposed OF in con-
currence.
Bill an acs to protect sheep husbandry from
destruction by dogs, came from the House,
that branch voting to adhere to its previous
action in indefinitely postponing the same.
The Senate voted to recede from lis former
vote giving the bill a passage, and concur
with the House in its action.
Final reports were made by the Committees
on Manufactures and Interior Waters.
Mr. BRANDON from the Committee on H.
terror Waters, reported an act to amend an
act to incorporate the East Branch Malta
wamkeag Dam Co., approved March II, 1853.
Read and assigned Also an act additional
10 an act to incorporate the Union River Dam
Co. Read and assigned
Mr.. ABBoT from the Committee on Mer-
camille Affairs and Insurance, reported an act
TO amend secs. Go and GA of chap 40 of the re-
vised statutes relating to foreign insurance
companies. Printed under the rule.
Mr.. CARR from the Committee on Banks
and Banking, reported an act to incorporate
the Norrdgewock Savings Bank. Read and
| assigned.
MIR. RUSSELL from the Committee on State
| Prison, on order relating to separating the
| the business of the mandatory in State
| Prison into two departments, tina, of manu-
featuring and sales, reported legislation mex
pedient.
On motion of Mr.. DYER, a message was
sent to the Governor, asking for return Of
the following bills An act relating to costs
in log lien cases; an act to establish the
measure of milk an act to amend sec. II,
chap. so of the revised statutes relating to
birds an act to amend sec. of chap. SIS OF
the revised statutes concerning writs issued
by Trial Justices and Police and Municipal
Courts.
The message was delivered by the Secreta-
ry, and the bills being returned, the votes
whereby they were each passed to be enacted
and passed to be engrossed were reconsidered.
On motion of MIR. FOSTER of Oxford, the
section in each bill relating to the taking eff
feet of each act when approved, was stricken
out, and the bills were again severally passed
to be engrossed
On motion of Mr. FOSTER. an act relating
to the liability of railroads for paupers, was
taken from the table and made special as
signment for next Tuesday.
An act to establish a State Industrial
School for Girls came from the House, that
branch refusing to give it passage.
Mr.. AnBor of Kennebec, moved that the
SENATE lnslSt on lts IOTllleT aC.lOn giving tHe
bill passage and ask for committee Of
conference.
Pending this motion, Mr.. Foster of Ok
ford moved that the bill be laid upon the table
and assigned for Tuesday of next week and
it was so voted.
Mr.. FOSTER from the Committee on Legal
Affairs, reported an act to amend sec 81 of
chap. 6 of the revised statutes relating to
collectors of taxes. Printed under the rules.
Mr.. Palmer presented resolve in favor of
the Joint Standing Committee on the Reform
School, which, on his motion, was read twice
the rules suspended and the resolve given a
passage.
Mr.. Foster from the Committee on Legal
Affairs, on order relating to what further leg
islation if any, is necessary to secure uni
form compensation to county and municipal
officers, reported legislation inexpedient.
Also an act to protect the rights of owners of
island Printed under the rule.
Mr.. BOYLE presented an act in addition to
chap. 90 of the revised statutes in relation to
the discharge of mortgages. Referred to
Committee on the Judiciary
Report of the Committee on Towns (maj or
ity and minority reports) relative to the an
nexaton of Cape Elizabeth to Portland, was
taken from the table and on motion OF Mr.
MARTIN, was assigned for Tuesday next.
An act to abolish the death penalty was
read twice under a suspension of the rules, on
motion Of Mr.. EMERY, and pending its pas
sage to be epgrossed, that Senator said that
the majority of the Judiciary Committee had
instructed him to report the bill to abolish
the death penalty, and he brought it up at
this time to get an early decision by the Sen
ate, for if the bill was defeated, the Commit
tee would unanimously support bill to make
the death penalty stern and sure. The pres
ent statute was almost a living lie. The con-
vcted murderer was solemnly sentenced to
be hung when the Judge and prisoner both
know il to be solemn ialsehood, and that
the prisoner would not be hung. That this
anomaly ought to be done away with was the
unanimous sentiment of the committee
lie should make no argument on the bill.
Every Senator's mind was undoubtedly made
up, and could not be changed. He had come
to the decision to vote for the abolition after
| much reasoning and some distress of mind.
His convictions were strong enough for
himself but hardly strong enough to in-
0uce him to urge others lie had no hard
words for those who voted to retain the
death penalty. He only asked for consisten.
cy on the part of Senators, and he expected
those Senators who SO voted, in case this bill
was defeated, 10 vote with the Committee for
! laws making the death penalty stern reality