The Portland daily press., 1874-01-09
BY TELEGRAPH.
THE STATE CAPITAL.
Especial to the Press.1
Waldo Senatorial Case.

AUGUSTA, Jan. 3.
The Committee on Senatorial returns, of
which Mr.. Burgess is chairman, held a meet
ing this afternoon to consider the case of Mr..
E. Boyle of Waldo. Mr.. Boyle has received
his certificate and has taken his seat in the
Senate. The Committee are carefully exam
lining the entire returns from the county and
but little progress was made to-day. On Mon
day the Committee will resume its labors Diff
hcultes of an unusual nature are presented in
this case. j. NJ. Coffin and E. Boyle were the
Republican candidates, the former receiving,
according to the official returns, 2311 votes and
the latter 2,155. j. N. Harmon and j. H.
Kaler were the Democratic candidates, the
former receiving 2O65 votes and the latter 2O32.
The question is: Is Boyle legally entitled to
his seat? Considerable difference of opinion
exists among the members of the Committee
as to the true method of arriving at this ques-
ton, one party claiming that to the votes for
Coffin and Harmon, the highest on each ticket
should be added the thirteen scattering votes,
and majority of these is the number neces-
sary for choice. In this case Mr.. Boyle fails
of an election. The other process of figuring
is to add all the votes except Boyle's and di-
vide the number by four. Unfortunately the
statute is far from definite on this point and
needs amending.
Gov. Dingley's Reception.
Gov Dingley held held a reception at the
State House this evening. Members of the
Legislature and other State officials, with their
ladies', were present, very few outside invita-
tons being given. The Governor and Mrs.
Dingley received their friends in the Executive
thor n
and Mrs. Perham. Col Shaw acted as master
of ceremonies. The capitol was brilliantly illu-
minated and there was full attendance. Re-
freshments were served in the Senate cham
Der.
The Buckfield Branch.
The citizens along the line of Hon. f. o. j.
Smiths Buckfeld railroad have in readiness
seueral petitions to be presented at an early
day, asking that charter may be granted au-
thorzing them to take and condemn the whole
property of the Smith road in the same man
ner as real estate is first taken, by virtue of any
railroad charter, and paid for in the same man.
ner.
The General Railroad Bill.
The following is an abstract of the General
Railroad Bill offered in the Senate by Mr. Webb
of Kennebec. 1t embraces the general features
of the Massachusetts,, New York and Illinois
laws, and the bills offered by Messrs Pike and
Dingley, respectively in 1872 and 1873:
Section !, provides that fifty or more persons
may organize a railroad corporation, subject to
general laws.
Section 2, prescribes articles of association,
name, termini of road, length, towns through
or into which the road will extend, the guage
and amount of capital
Section 3, provides that the corporate name
assumed shall not be one now used by any other
railroad in the State, and ran be changed only
by the Legislature.
Section 4. declares that majority of direct
ors shall live in the State.
Section 5, provides that copies of articles of
association shall be published in the counties
through which the road is to run.
Section 6, prescribes that map of route be
made, and report of engineer, giving details of
construction and estimated cost thereof.
Sections and s, provides that selectmen of
towns and the directors may agree upon loca-
ton, and if they cannot the Railroad Commits
sioners are to determine it.
Section 8, provides that when five per cent.
of the capital stock is paid in, the directors
shall certify that fact to the Railroad Commits
sioners and file with them a map of the route
and report of the engineer
Section 10, authorizes the Commissioners to
issue a certificate of incorporation, and gives
the form.
Section II, relates to calling meetings.
Section IL, authorizes union with and cross
ing of other roads, under supervision of the
Railroad Commissioners.
Section 10, relates to land damages and
changes of location
Section A. requires the company to file
map, profile, table of grades and other charact-
erstics in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Section 15 authorizes an increase of capital
in certain contingencies.
Section 16 provides that the road not built in
part, one year after its location is filed, the
charter is forfeited
Section II, prohibits railroads from taking
stock or bonds in other roads without the con-
sent of the Legislature.
Sect n Is, provides that three Railroad Com
missioners be elected by the people, one each
year.
Section 10, places all corporations formed
under this act under the control of the Legis-
ature,