Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-01-26
Letter from augusta

The Capital has been very lively during
the past week. Several important mat
ters have been before the various Com.
mittees. The Maine Editors Association
has been in session aud also the State
Agricultural Society. the Pathological
Society and the State Temperance Con
vention. S1me oil these meetings have
been of a very interesting character.
Last Wednesday the Judiciary Com
mittee gave hearing TO those interested
in the proposed plan for forcing Railroads
to pay their taxes. Ex.Gov. Morrill, ap
pearod for the Milne Central, aud made
some very good points, il they are sus
tanned by facts. lie criticised Gov. Ding
ley's message quite severely, saying that
the Governor was either lily informed or
misstated The case. He claimed that the
charter of the road exempted it from tax
alton. and hence the assessment was uu-
constitutional; also, that the remedy
provided by law was sufficient, invited
the State to seize property, and thus bring
the issue before the Courts lie thought
it would be much easier and less eSpen.
siye for tho State 10 collect in this manner
than for them, by special acts. to put
the money into The treasury, and have
the roads recover it-as he asserts they
surely will. While all this sounds very
plausible. it is simply dodge TO gain
time, and weary the State into repeal
OF the law. by continued litigation. II Is
hoped by the taxpayers that the roads
will he forced TO pay their taxes. The
question ~ TO h9'0 this shall DC accom-
plished. however. il one causing cousid
cradle debate. In fact, it i the principal
topic OF conversation q! the C1Pi''l' IN
the hotels. streets aud capitol.
In, Constitutional Com uittce is hold.
ing regular sessions, aud their doiaSs are
lrom lime to time reported 10 The pablo.
But. OF course. not mach inle.es, viii be
attach Il 10 mi IA alter until lh.it rep at
come. before The Legislature.
The Industrial School al llillowcll was
dedicated Wednesday, with appropriate
ceremonies Ex-Goy Psrham presided,
and Coz DinsIey. with other prJmin ent
State official. were present.
The Stale Library is well paIroniled
during the sessions OF the Legislature
Mr. j. 5. Hobbs. formerly ot Paris. the
Librarian. is kept busy attending 10 con
slant calls for volumes and in receiving
aud classifying new invoices. Col. Var
ney OF Brunswick, is acting as Assistant
Librarian during the session. The Library
has from fourteen to eighteen thousand
volumes well classified and arranged
Many OF these volumes are reports. OF
this and other States, bat tiere is liberal
supply OF literary and miscellaneous
works.
The Oxford Delegation IL lskiag a good
position, both 10 the Senate Aad Hou.s.
Meisrs Foster and SwaGey aye both upon
the Judiciary Committee. and are each
the chairman OF some important com
mitlee. Mr.. Foster is prominently en-
gagged in the project TO enforce the
collection OF Railroad taxes. and as a
member of the subcommittee drew up
the act to accomplish this object.
The members of the Maine Editors and
Publisher Association Assem- Jled in the
Senate Chamber Wednesdty evening
Rev. DE- q iimbY, of Augusta, presided.
Mr.. E!wel oil the Transcript, read shor!
history of the press in Cumbe rland Coun
~. which WAS OF very interesting
character. Second session was held
Thursday. Ia the afternoon Hon. l.. \.
Emery OF the american. read an essay
emitted The Pes, Before the law" The
article was well written and delivered.
showing that the author had given much
time and study TO his subject. It may
not be we'll 10 give this essay 10 the pub.
lie. as it Nigh. result, by showing how
partial The law is to the people, anI how
severely II deals with The press. ia the
frequent prosecution o. menber' oil the
craft. A large amount OF business WAS
OF At these meetings. Thursday
evening Rev Dr.. q lin % gave the mem
bers reception at his residence. II was
we'll attended. aud very pleasant enter.
il proved to be.
Thursday the State Temperance Con-
sention assembled al Ii A. NJ. After
and laying out the days work,
he meeting adjourned till 2 p. NJ. The
afternoon session was we'll attended |
Mr.. Benson oi~lndiina, = reformed man,
made very interesting address, and
,ther gentle men from our own State gave /
heir views on the temperance question. !
10 the evening. a series OF Resolutions
vas presented, and list of prominent |
peakers was announced. The meetings
we're OF much interest. and must do good /
o the temperance cause in his State.
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How frail and uncertain are all things
Iere below! Last Thursday Senator
Ihandler's friends .elegraphed from
iiohigan 10 the honorable gentleman
hat everything was all right and he could