The Portland daily press., 1875-01-27


The Constitutional Commission consumed
the time largely in the consideration of the APP
portionment of representatives to the Legisla-
ture Resolves were passed to the effect that the
present number be retained; that representa-
tiyes be apportioned to counties; that the pro-
visions of the present constitution for an IN
creased ratio of representatives and forbdding
cities to have more than seven representatives
should be abrogated and that counties be d.
vlded into single representative districts and
committees appointed to draw CONSTITUTIONAL
provision containing these features.
The resolves with several other papers re-
latine to the subject were referred to commit
tee consisting of Messrs. Talbot, Gilbert and
Haines for draft in accordance Herewith.
Mr.. Libby laid on the table resolve declar-
ing the necessity Of six amendments embrac'
ing the following principles:
First-Declaring power in the state legisla-
ture to alter or amend the charter of any cor
poration existing or revokable at the adoption
of the article, or created thereafter, when in
furious to the citizens, but not in manner to
cause injustice to the corporation.
Second-That existing charters or grants
under which no organization has been made or
business done, shall be subject to the same
provisions
Third-That the exercise of eminent domain
shall not be construed to prevent the Leglsla-
ture from taking the property and franchises OF
corporations and subjscting them to the public
use. .t -It Jog
Fourth-No corporation existing at the time
of the adoption of this article shall have the
on
condition of the acceptance of the provisions of
this constitution.
Fifth-Declares that the power to tax shall
not be surrendered or suspended by any con-
tract which shall make the state party.
Sixth-A declaration that all railways, Ca
nails, etc., are highways and the companies
common carriers that the same must be SO
managed as to conduce TO the public good, and
prohibits discrimination between passengers
and freight. t-..
At the time of adjournment the Commission
was considering proposition to abolish the
Executive Council Fa
The Committee of Ways and Means have
under consideration the taxation of church
property The amount of property of this
character new exempt in this state is very
most important in connection with the subject
of taxation. ...
There is a considerable stir about the printed
bill relative to savings banks, which has been
printed, and an abstract already published.
Various parties, as their interests are affected,
object to different sections. Section 3, which
provides that ''no trustee or officer of any saw
ings bank shall borrow or use any of the funds
thereof, be surety for loans to others, or in any
manner, directly or indirectly, be obligor for
money borrowed of or loaned by the corpora
ton' is criticised considerably, as is also tn at
section which prohibits ''bond and stock brok-
ers'' from holding Office in saving banks.
The contest over the present lobster law will
be formally opened Thursday, before the Com
mittee on Fisheries. 1t promises to be exciting
to the parties in interest. allen, .
The time fixed, beyond which petitions for
private legislation will not be received, expires
tomorrow. xii -... .....
A resolve was passed looking to the granting
of the power of conditional pardon upon the
Governor, and Messrs. Gilbert, Robinson and
Madigan were made committee to draft
section to that effect. f i'''
The Maine Womens' Suffrage Association
will meet in the Representatives Hall, Friday
Feb. 18th, afternoon and evening. ei
It's understood that large number OF petit
tions secured last fall for constabulary will
not be presented at the present session.
Mel Weston's piping voice was heard in the
judiciary room to-day, for the dozenth time,
asking the state to sue him in order that he
may recover $1,000. 1t is a relic of the Peck
defalcation.i F
1t is thought that the number of towns in
Androscoggin county will not be increased by
the pending Auburn division case.
Another hearing was given on the game laws
trouble to Portland parties, who oppose any
change in the close time of birds. T.
The Committee on Mercantile Affairs and
Insurance voted to report adversely on the bill
abolshing the office of Insurance Commission
er, but decided to report in favor of less num-
Der of reports. - .
The Agricultural Committee voted to leave
the game laws as they are. ~
The Judiciary Committee has assigned We'd
nesday of u ext week for hearing on the in
crease of the capital stock of the Cobb Lime
Co. of Rockland. ''
The committee will probably report adverse
ly to an injunction to enforce the railroad tax
act of 1874, and in favor of a war; ant of dis
tress against delinquent roads, in order to test
the Legality of the act before the courts.
The Committee on Claims will report bill
to repeal the act of 1874, abolshing the bounty
on bears. r. III tt. f-#.-t-
There will be an extended hearing on the
proposed savings bank bill on Thursday. There