The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-01-15
FIFTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE
Especial to the Press.l
SENATE.

AUGUSTA, Jan. IA.
The morning session was opened with
prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Upjohn of Augusta.
The House papers were disposed of in con-
currence, save the resolve to request the re-
prieye of Wagner. which was laid upon the
table for discussion.
Senator Haskell presented an act amendatory
to an act comforting certain powers upon the
city of Portland. 1t is amendatory OF section
of the act, providing that no money shall he
paid out of the city treasury except on orders
drawn and signed by the Mayor, designating
the fund or appropriation from which such
money shall be paid-nor unless the same shall
be first appropriated by the City Council; and
the City Council shall secure prompt and
just accountability by requiring bonds, with
sufficient penalty and surety from all persons
entrusted with the receipt, custody, and dis
bursements of this money. They shall have
charge and superintendence of the city build
ings and property, with power to let or sell
what may be legally let or sold, land to purchase
and take in the name Of the city personal and
real estate for municipal purposes to an amount
not exceeding four hundred thousand dollars
in addition to that already held by the city, land
SHALL as often as once year, cause to be pub
lished for the benefit of the citizens, particu-
lar account of receipts and expenditures, and
schedule of city property.
The act was referred to the Committee on
Legal Aft airs.
Senator Emery moved that the ORDER relating
to the reprieve of Wagner be taken from the
table.
IIos hot NH f1,a
was taken it be taken by yeas and nays. Car
ried.
Mr.. Emery thought the Senate should act as
check upon the House in this matter. The
power of reprieve was, by fundamental law,
left alone with the Executive. 1t would be
stepping out of the Senate's place to take this
step. The Legislature is sent here to enact
laws, not to pardon or request the reprieve of
criminals. When Wagner came into this state
and killed the women on Smutty Nose Island,
the law was on the statute book that murder
should be punished by death. The penal
ty of the law should be sure. He was
opposed to capital punishment, and should
vote thereon when the theme came up.
Mr.. Cutler was in favor of the order and
thought no dangerous precedent could come
from it.
The vote was then taken and resulted as fol-
lows:
Yeas-Campbell, Cntler, Foss, Haskell,
Kent Morrison, Prescott. Rounds, Stevens-9.
Nays-Atwood, Cross, Cushing, Donworth,
Hinckey, Hoibrook. Hyde. Palmer, Richard
SOD, RUSSELL ThUrlough, Webb-18.
Absent-Corthell, Foster, Lord, Swasey.
The order did not have a passage.
An act relatingIto insurance and insurance
commissioners was presented. 1t provides
that the office shall be abolished and the duties
be made incumbent upon the Secretary of
State.
Adjourned at 10 o'clock.
HOUSE.
The bill approved by the City Council of
Portland, providing for the selection of school
committee, and petition to grant dry docks,
ETC., lien on vessels repaired, were presented
and referred to the judiciary Committee.
- Senate papers disposed of in concurrence.
The reports of the officers of the State College
were read and referred to the Agricultural
Committee.
The report of the commissioner of claims of
settlers on proprietors' lands was referred to
the state Land Committee.
Petitions, orders bills ETC., presented and re-
ferfd:- Petition of the First North Yarmouth
Aqeduct Co. for change of name; of Eli Goss
of Portland, for increase of pension; of citizens
of Sullivan, for charter to build wharf in said
town; of the selectmen of Cape Elizabeth. to
require the County Commissioners of Cumber-
land county to lay out highway into the tide
waters of Portland for ferry landing; of sew
eral settlers for conveyance of land; of CONT
mental Mills of Lewiston, for reduction of
capital stock; memorial of Nell" Weston, for
repeal of resolve of 1860, relating to his claims
against the state; an act TO incorporate st.
Omer Commandery of K T. at West Water
vile; petition of S. w. Tinkham of Anson, for
bounty on bears; of John Allen of Maysvlle,
for payment of claims against the state; of G.
W. Tbbetts of Pfesque Isle, for care of small
pox patients; of Aroostook county, to be reim-
bursed for money expended on road in town
ships No. 8, r. 5; of the E. and n. A railway,
that the real estate of the company in Hamp
den may be set off to Bangor; of Oldtown Wa
ter Power Co., for extension of time for the