The Portland daily press., 1875-01-29
BY TELEGRAPH,
FROM AUGUSTA.
Legislative Matters.
Constitutional COmmission-Cape Eliza
beth Eerry-PortlandSOrph Asylum
Savings Banks-OrOnO College.
Especial to the PREss.l

Especial to the PREss.l
AUGUSTA, Jan. %.
All of the members of the Constitutions
Commission were present to-day as has bee
the case during the week. resolve wa
passed to 3, amending the section of the con
stitution which provides the manner of tn
election of senators by striking out the word
sa majority of the votes and inserting in
stead wherever it occurs, the words 'the high
est number of votes, or in other words tina
senators shall be elected by plurality.
The President submitted resolve condensin,
the 10th amendment Of the constitution, rela
tive to citizens who are in the volunteer militia
ry service voting while absent in such service
The section connected with the resolve pro-
vides that such elections shall take place on tn,
Tuesday after the first Monday biennially TO
state and county, members of Congress ant
Legislature.
By vote of to 4, a resolve was passed thai
the constitution be SO amended that the GOV
ernor shall be elected by plurality,
A motion that the report of the Commission
to the Legislature shall embrace in addition to
specific changes recommended, draft of the
constitution which shall embody and codify the
amendments heretofore made, and which shall
be made by US so that the result of our work
may be distinctly exhibited, was lost to 5.
MI. Libby laid upon the table an amendment
to the effect that in civil suits, after one dsa-
greement of the jury, on second trial yer
dict may be given on the agreement of nine
jurors.
The Commission then proceeded to discuss
the subject of corporations as presented by the
series of propositions presented by Mr.. Libby
on Monday. In lieu of his first proposition
empowering the Legislature to revoke charters
of corporations deemed injurious to the people,
the following presented by Judge Kent was
substituted without dissent:
Resolved, That the Legislature shall not in
sert in any charter or act of incorporation any
provision which shall exclude such corporation
from the operation of any existing general
laws in relation to the powers of the Legisla-
ture to amend, alter or repeal acts of incorpor-
alton.
The third proposition of Mr.. Libby to the eff
Feet that the exercise of the right of eminent
domain shall never be construed to mean that
the Legislature cannot take the property and
franchises of incorporate companies for public
use was refused passage, 5 to 5. The fourth
propostionof the series which provides that no
corpora ton in existence at the time of the
adoption of an article to that effect becomes a
part of the constitution shall have the benefit
of any general or special laws, except ON condi-
tion of complete acceptance of the provisions
of the constitution, was lost, 2 to s.
The discussion on these topics was very earn
est, MessIs. Talbot and Libby vigorously advo-
eating them, and Messrs. Pike, Madigan and
others as ably opposing.
The first report of sections to be submitted
was offered by Judge Kent and selected 1t
defines general and special legislation.
The Committee on Interior Waters was en-
poyed this afternoon considering the petition
of several citizens of Cape Elizabeth to COM
pei the County Commissioners of Cumberland
county to lay out ferry landing or way into tide
waters of Portland harbor. Messrs. Smart,
Dyer and others appeared for the petitioners,
and City Solicitor Reed for Portland against
the petitioners. 1t was shown that the landing
would cost the county $4,000, and $4,000 an
nually for repairs, ETC., while the business
would repay but small per centago of the in
terest on much smaller expenditure. The
committee voted to 1 that the petitioners
have leave to withdraw
Messrs. Thomas and Ceaves appeared be-
fore the Military Committee in behalf of the
Portland Female Orphan Society, and so IA
vorably represented the claims of tho charita-
BILE association that the committee voted to re-
port an appropriation of $4,000 for soldiers or
phans therein.
More Indians were before the Indian Affairs
Committee to-day, very good looking and in
telligent men, grumbling about the use of the
appropriation for seed and ploughing. Why
not make the fund take care of the helpless
and declare the others citizens of the United
States with no one to pay annuities?
The Agricultural Committee gave hearing
to the officers and trustees of the Agricultural
College. President Allen set forth the aims
and work of the College. He was followed by
ex Gov. Coburn, President of the Board of
Trustees, who stated that the appropriation
asked for 1921, 50O) was the lowest sum that
wise economy would dictate. The trustees had
no desire to act otherwise but for the interests
of the state. They had undertaken the work
for the state. They were glad to report that it
was a successful one for the worthy young men
of the state He said that the expenditures
were made with more prudence and care than
he was accustomed to exercise in his business
expenditures. There was the utmost exercise of
care by every trustee. Hons. Lyndon Oak and
J. G. Madigan advocated the claims and merits
of the institution in an able manner The
committee will visit Orono next week.
The Cumberland delegation was called to-
gether to-day after the close of the sessions, to
consider bill to authorize the County Com
missioners to procure loan of $4,000, to be !
expended in building workshop in connection
with the county Jail. Hon. E. G. Townsend of |
Freeport ono of the board of County Commits
sioners, appeared before the delegation and |
made an able and interesting statement con-
corning the defects of our Jail system resulting
from idleness. He considers that the present |
policy should be labelled an organization for |
the breeding of pure blooded criminals. He
further showed that the present system ia OK.
pensiye by figures, which he brought with
him. He showed that the whole number Of
days spent in Jail in 1872 was 10,43j, AVERAGE
for each day in the year 28.6, total cost S., 662
"A. In 1873, whole number of days, II 468.
average for each day 31.5; total cost 1924. 49,
In 1874, whole number of days 1900; average
for each day 1872; total cost $9320. Number
from Cumberland county in Auburn Jail s. +
Adding this number to the average in Cumber-
land Jail and the average for each day is &C. |
The ratio of increase of prisoners for three
years has been 100 per cent.
The suggestions of Mr.. Townsend were list
ened to with deep interest, and the whole of |
the good looking delegation entered heartily