Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-24


an act to amend sec. los of chap. 50 OF
the revised statutes relating to proceedings in
court where an account in set off, is filed; an
act to amend the public laws of rs relating to
free high schools; an act to amend an act
authorizing the city of Bangor to aid the
Bangor Mercantile Association, approved
Feb. 22d, 1871; an act to incorporate the New
England Slate Co.. an act relative to the
course of study in Normal schools; an act to
amend chap. 395 of the private and special
laws Of 1864, entitled an act to amend an act
to establish police court in the city of Rock
land; an act to establish the compensation of
the County Commissioners of Knox county !;
an act to incorporate the Sandy Stream Dam
Co.
FINALLY PAssED-Resolve in favor of Cyrus
F. Daniels; resolve in favor of Christian +.
Churchill OF Washburn; resolve in favor of
the Inhabitants of Silver Ridge Plantation ;
resolve in favor of J. w. Ambrose; resolve
in aid OF building bridge over the Magala-
way river, in Oxford county; resolve in favor
of repairing the Shin Pond road leading from
Patten to the numbering regions; resolve in
favor of Elmyra E. Cobb; resolve relating to
the duties of Land Agent.
Mr.. WAssoX asked leave to lay on the table
bill an act to protec. sheep husbandry, and
that the rules be suspended to enable it to
lay upon the table. The rules were suspen-
ded, and the bill read twice. The bill makes
the tax on dogs imperative, and creates 4
bounty of five cents from the State on each
Sheep.
Mr.. GIBBS moved that the bill be referred
to the Committee on Agriculture that it might
be considered by that committee.
MIR. WATSON opposed. The matter had
been discussed by a convention of gentlemen
representing the farming and sheep husband
~ interests, and several other gentlemen who
are directly interested, and the bill covered
the propositions discussed. Although some OF
the provisions of the bill did not commend
themselves to his judgment, yet he had
drawn the bill in obedience to the wishes of
the caucus
Mr.. GIBBS thought the bill was a misnomer,
had been COTTON up by dog haters, and was
designed tor the destruction of dogs. lie
preferred that the bill might go to commit
tee. He did not like to have measure
brought up under the name of ''protection
for sheep husbandry," when it means another
thing. He thought if referred to an appro-
pirate committee, that it would never be re-
ported He moved the indefinite postpone
ment of the bill.
Mr.. WATSON opposed the motion. The
first section of the bill, relating to making the
for, and all the protection that the friends OF
sheep husbandry wished. The Legislature
had wiped from the statute book the bounty
on wild animals, which are destructive to
sheep, and towns as the statute allows them
to do refuse to tax dogs, so that there is moth
ing which stands between the sheep on the
one hand, and the dogs and wild animals up
on the ether He now desired, for the pro-
lection of sheep, that the taxing of dogs
should not be left optional with towns, bu,
should be made imperative and that sentiment
IN the convention, received a passage by a
vote of more than two to one. AS an argu-
ment to show the need of protection for sheep
he said there are some $50 900 sheep in the
State, and about $4,000 dogs. The statistics
of the past year, SHOW that more than 81 500
worth of sheep have been destroyed by dogs
alone. and that destruction was by dogs, the
owners of which, are not sheep owners. He
referred to the difficulty of recovering for the
loss of sheep in civil action on account OF
the owners Of most of the dogs being worth
less, pecuniarily also referred to the diff
Guilty OF getting towns to vote to tax dogs. In
order to have the matter tested, he moved 20
strike out sections two and three which pro-
vide for bounty from the State on sheep.
Mr.. GIBBS moved to amend by striking out
the title and inserting ian act providing for
the destruction Of dogs"
Mr.. CALDWELL remarked that the statute,
as well as the bill, was without edge, for il
does not give assessors power to destroy dogs,
If the owners refuse to pay the tax, and town
officers would not care about Selling them for
taxes.
The sections were struck out, in accordance
with the motion of Mr.. WATSON.
The amendment offered by Mr.. GIBBS was
rejected.
The House refused to indefinitely postpone
the bill, by vote of So to AZ.
On motion of Mr.. KEEGAN, the bill was
laid on the table, and tomorrow after the
morning hour assigned.
On motion of Mr.. CORNISH the House
Adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
On motion of Mr.. WATSON, the report of
the Committee on Ways and Bridges, report
ing leave to withdraw, on petition of David
WATSON ct ais. of Brooksville, to surrender
the charter of toll bridge was taken up.
The same gentleman then moved to amend
the report, by striking out the words, ''leave
to withdraw" and substitute the words 'leave
to bring in bill which is herewith submitted, "
entitled an act to repeal chap. 1872 of the
private acts of 1866
Mr.. WATSON stated the case, and advocated
his motion.
Mr.. MORROW opposed the motion, and de-
tended the action of the committees.
The House refused to adopt the amend
ment.
The report giving the petitioners leave to
withdraw, was then accepted.
Mr.. COFFIN presented the remonstrance Of
Stillman F. Sprague ct ais. of Grand Lake
Stream, VS.. pet. of II. Baker, which was re-
ferred to the Committee on judiciary.
Mr.. TREAT presented the remonstrance Of
Geo. S. Silsby, against taxing insurance com.
panies, which was referred to the Committee
on Ways and Means.
Mr.. ROBBINS presented under suspension
of the rules, bill an'act to establish Cheese
and Butter Factory in the town of Arson,
which was passed to be engrossed, under a
suspension of the rules.
On motion of Mr.. MORROW, it was
Ordered, That on and after Tuesday Feb.
oath, this House hold one session each day,
commencing at 9 o'clock A. NJ, and that the
use of this Hall, afternoon and evening, be
granted to the Special Committee on Invest-
CATION of Affairs of the State Prison.