The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-12-31

hausted, Wagner and Gordon were hung in the
prison yard at Thomaston June 25th. Wag-
ner was apparently unmoved, declaring his in
nocence to the last. Gordon attempted to COM
NIT suicide and when the drop fell was entinsly
unconscious of his terrible doom.
The last Legislature contained larger num-
Der opposed to capital punishment than any
which had discussed that question. A bill to
abolish capital punishment passed the Senate
put failed by less than dozen votes in the
House. A bill was then passed making Il i'm
pera'iVe Tor the Executive to carry out death
sentences unless commuted by him.
Several centennials were celebrated in Maine
the past year. june 18th the centennial of the
first naval battle of the revolution was cele-
brated at Machias. August p, the First Con-
gregational church at Fryeburg celebrated its
centennial September 1, the centennial of
the incorporation of the town of Waterford
was appropriately celebrated
During the fall, the land agent sold all the
state lands fit for settling purposes, receiving
about $51 900.
The temperance reform has attracted much
attention in Auburn, Lewiston, Saco Bidde-
~NNN NAN - AoA sc huAUcT VI LOWQS anu
lagos in the state. Hundreds of men who have
been addicted to intemperance, have taken the
pledge, The movement has been the most ex-
tensve and thorough that has taken place for
many years The attempt has been made TO
enforce the liquor law in the cities. In some
cases where it has been backed BY popular
sentiment, the result has been salutary. In
other cities like Portland and BAN
gor, the result has not been apparent.
Judge Walton in October made a ruling as to
what constitutes liquor nuisance, which ap-
piled to venders of cider and native wines, sold
for tippling purposes. By this ruling those
beverages were classed in the list of intoxicants.
This ruling went to the full Court on an ap-
peal by the defendant, whose opinion has not
yet been promulgated.
There has been qnite q general interest
among the so called evangelical denominations
OF the state. Rsvivals of religion are reported
iu many places, that at Saccarappa being the
most noticeable work. Quite number of new
churches have been built and dedicated. RI.
Rev. j. A. Healy, (Catholic) has been conss-
Grated bishop of Portland.
Five new savings banks have been estab.
lished the past year and national banks at Dex-
ter, Phillips, Camden and Lewiston, The saw
ings banks report bout three million dollars
increase of deposits the past year.
During the year the state has been remarka-
bly, free from epidemic diseases, the nearest
approach being the spelling match mania
which ragged SO wildly last April and May.
Our schools throughout the state have been
unusually prosperous, which is largely due to
the increased revenues devoted to them and the
free high school law. The recent teachers
convention held at Augusta shows that Maine
has more good teachers than at any other
period in her history
The largest gathering of our fastest stations
took place at the Presumpscot Park in this
city, nearly all of which had record of 23O.
Maine Slasher, owned by Gen. w. s. Tilton of
Togus, won the race, his best time being 2.32.
This animal dfterward trotted at Mystic Park,
Boston, ard in a contest, made one heat in
2.264. The best time made by any Maine
horse out of the state during the year was by
Lady Maud at Rochester, N. Y, winning
three straight heats in 21St, 2.19h, 218a. Eight
other Maine horses also made for themselves
the following record out of the state: Homes
Harry 2.25; Arthur, 2.28f; Ned Forrest, 2 2s4;
Nelly Walton, 2,2Sa; James G. Blaine, 2.2Sa;
John Virgin, 2.29; Lothair, 29A; Bully
Brooks, 2.30.