The Portland daily press., 1876-02-04
BY TELEGRAPH.
FROM AUGUSTA.
Legislative Matters.
The Railroad Bill-Land Scrip Investi-
gation-BiIi to Abolish Capital Punish
ment-Salaries, etc.
Especial Despatch to the Press.l

Especial Despatch to the Press.]
AUGUSTA Feb. g.
The railroad bill has been variously amended
TO day, and rather against the opinion OF rail-
road men and the gentlemen who perfected the
first measure. The chief amendments, how
ever, ale those making the office of Commits
sioners appointive and putting in the hands of
County Commissioners the settlement of land
damages 1t is quite evident that many of the
prominent gentlemen in the House do not de-
sire to pass any railroad bill, but large major
ity seem determined to perfect the present bill
and make it a law. They will be more inclined
to do this now that one or two gentlemen rath-
er sneeringly observed that it would be better
to let the matter go to the next Legislature,
which might be able to deal more intelligently
with the matter Bhe almost unanimous vote
against indefinite postponement is an indca-
ton of the feeling of the House.
The Committee on Towns gave the Sanford
petitioners, who desired to be set off to Alfred,
leave to withdraw.
The Legislative party takes place Wednes-
day night, Feb. 18th.
There has seldom been such crowd in Au-
gusta as is here at present
The land scrip investigating Committee met
this morning, at which arrangements were
made to have before the meeting to- morrow
morning all the official papers relative to the
sale. The committee will examine them and
then send for a few persons whose testi mony
will be taken. Among the persons who will
be summoned is DR.. Jordan of Bangor, who
knew so much about the matter last summer.
The Finance Committee will report bill to
fix the salary of the Warden of the State
Prison at $275O; deputy, $1,000. They will re-
duce the others. The guards get $50 less
The judiciary Committee gave hearing on
the capital punishment question, this after
noon. quite large audience of ladies and gen.
tlemen being present. Friend Taylor of Bel
grade, Jacobs of China, and Rev. DR.. Quniby
addressed the committee in favor of abolition.
The address of Friend Jacobs was one of I'M
usual power and engrossed the attention of the
learned committee. The committee voted to
2 to report bill containing the general pro-
visions of that which Mr.. Frank introduced.
which abolishes the death penalty and deprives
the Executive of the pardoning power in life
sentences, unless the Judges of the Supreme
Court review the case and find new evidence
in behalf of the accused. The committee, when
all present, is evenly divided on the ABSTRACT
question of the death penalty
The sheriff enforcement bill has again been
sent to the Legal Affairs Committee by the
House.
Messrs Winship and Wlldes, a Committee
of Maine Department of the Grand Army, ad.
dressed the Pension Com mittee to-day relative
to more liberal policy towards deserving SOL
ders and their heirs. The committee voted to
appropri ate $25,000.
The matter of closing up the business of the
Land Office will be considered by the Land
Committee, Wednesday next.
The Educational Committee assigned Thurs
day next for the consideration of Bridgton
Normal School &