Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-21
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
House.


TUESDAY, Jan. 20
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. JOHNSON OF Augusta.
Papers from the Senate disposed Of in con-
currence.
On motion of Mr.. HANSON,
Ordered, That the Committee on the Judi
ciagy inquire into the expediency of providing
a lien upon pressed hay, in favor OF persons
performing labor on the same.
On motioA of Mr.. NoRTH,
Ordered, That the Committee on Banks
and Banking, be instructed to inquire into the
expediency of providing that presidents of
savings banks may be paid limited compen-
saion for their services.
On motion of Mr.. WATSON,
Ordered, That the Committee on the Judi
ciary inquire into the expediency of amending
line 4. sec. Al, chap. l of the Revised Stat
utes, relating to assessment of money raised
by school districts, by substituting the word
''sixty," for 'thirty," in said line, section and
chapter.
On motion of Mr.. CRowELL,
Ordered, That the Committee on Agricul-
ture inquire into the propriety Of amending
sec. so, chapt. SO of the Revised Statutes, by
substituting the word ''print" or written"
for the word brand"
On motion of Mr.. YOUNG,
Ordered, That the Committee on Agricul-
ture be directed to inquire into the eXpedien-
cy of imposing tax Of two dollars on dogs;
also for amendment of sec. Z, of chapt. of
the Revised Statutes, by striking out the
words, ''if towns so vote"
On motion of Mr.. KEENE of Palmyra,
Ordered, That the Committee on Agricul-
ture inquire into the expediency of so amend
| ing the statute in relation to the payment of
| fence viewers fees, that the delinquent shall
be required to pay the whole fee instead of
one half, as the law now requires.
/ Mr.. TABBUT offered the following:
Ordered, That the Secretary of State be d.
rected to furnish the Clerk of the House, one
copy of the Revised Statutes for each member
and officer of the House, who have not been
a member or officer of the House since 1870.
On motion of Mr.. CRowELI, the order was
indefinitely postponed.
| On motion of Mr.. DAVIS,
Ordered, That the Committee on Legal At
fairs be instructed to inquire into the expedi-
ency of amending chapt. II of the public laws
of 1872, in relation to the appointment Of
deputy town clerks.
| Ga motion of Mr.. PIERCE,
Ordered, That the Committee on Legal
Affairs inquire into the eXpediency of enact
ing law allowing interest on accounts after
the expiration of six months.
| On motion of Mr.. PULLRN, the Memorial of
/
was taken from the table, and referred to the
/ Committee on Financial! Affairs.
Senate order, calling for the names of the
officers and employees of the State Prison and
Reform School, and the amount paid for their
services for the years 'G3 and 10, was refer
red to the Committee on Financial Affairs.
Mr. TALBOT of East Machas, rose and said :
Mr.. SrEAKER.-I hold in my hand an i'm
portant bin of which do not claim to be the
author but which l am requested by several
citizens of our State to lay before the Legis-
/ lature for its consideration.
/ 1t is entitled an act for the better protection
/ of human life in Maine, and has received the
approval of some of the best legal minds in
our State. The general feature of the bill
are to secure to any person accused of a cap
/ ital offence the right of a speedy and i'm
partial trial as guaranteed by the provisions of
the constitution, to provide higher degree of
certainty Of punishment as they protect the
rights of the community by deterring from the
commission of crime, and in the application
and execution of law to define more clearly
the limits Of the several departments of the
/ Government, so that while the constitutional
pardoning power shall be left with the eX-
ecutive, no acts of a purely judicial character
shall be imposed upon that department of the
Government. AS several gentlemen have eX-
pressed desire to be heard before a commit
tee of the Legislature of this matter, | move
that it be referred 10 the Committee on the
Judiciary and if in order that the usual num-
Der of copies he printed for the use of the
Legislature.
The bill was referred to the Committee on
the Judiciary, ami ordered to be printed.
The following IS 0n abstract:
Section /, creates new degree of murder.
Section 2, The saving clause without
49,, a., ,t,,ta
is omitted in the till.
Section 3, The penalty is death for OBJ
strueting, with intent, a railroad, thereby
causing loss of lite.
section A, The grand jury shall indct for
murder in the first degree, and the court and
trial jury determine the degree.
Section s, Provides for the attendance of