Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-03

Kff ct. ais. for granting authority to vinalhaven
to assess special poll tax.
Pending the acceptance Of the report, it was
tabled on motion OF Mr.. SAWYER.
Mr.. SAWYER, from the Committee on Indian
Affairs, reported leave to withdraw on petition of
Martha Soc for March dividends; also same report
on remonstrance against an appropriation being
granted; also reported legislation nexpedent on
petition of Penobsoot Indians for the appointment
Of q suitable person to instruct them in farming
READ AND ASSIGNED.
Resolve for the purchase of the Maine State
Year Book and Legislative Manual; an act to le-
gazc the doings of the town of Vinalhavcn in
voting money to build a bridge; an act to amend
sec. 81 of chap. 3 of the revised statutes relating
TO returns of Plantations; act to amend chap
239 of the public laws of 1874; resolve in favor
of Geo. W. and Charles l.. Heney; resolve in IA
vor of building bridge Gagnon stream,
Aroostook county; an act to amend Sec of chap
l3S of the revised statutes relating to fugitves
from justice; resolve in favor OF the railroad COM
missoners.
PASSED TO DE ENGRossED.
An act to amend and renew the Charter Of
the Sebec Lake Steamboat Company; act
to amend chap. 50. sec. ! of the revised
statutes in relation to libraries charitable societies
and public cemeteries; an act to extend the pow
ers OF school districts an act to enable resi-
dent guardians to obtain property belonging to
their wards residing in other States or Territories
OF the United States; resolve authorizing the
State Treasurer to purchase fire and burglar
proof safe for the Treasury; an act to authonze
L. NJ. Davis and w. A. Jackson to navigate Dam
arlscottA lake and river by steam.
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
An act to prevent fishing in Adams Pond in
Brldgton; an act to amend ec.34 OF chap. 81 of
the revised statutes relating to hens on logs and
Lumber; an act to change the name Of the town
of Dalton to Ashland.
FINALLY PASSED.
~, ia = Inlr, \tt, or IL,
resolve authorizing the Land Agent to convey to
l.. L. Manson LOT of land in Chapman Planta-
ton.
Bill an act to incorporate the Franklin Central
Agricultural Society was read the third time aud
land on the table, on motion of MIR. MAXWELL,
pending its passage to be engrossed.
BIZ an act to amend chap. 50 sec. Of the re-
vised statutes in relation to Libraries, charitable
societies and public cemeteries was read the third
time, amended on motion OF Mr.. FRANK so as to
include Councils OF Sovereigns of Industry, and
passed to be engrossed.
On motion Of Mr.. ROGERS, the vote was recon
sidered recommlttng to the committee the bill to
provide in part for the expenditures of govern
ment.
The bill was laid on the table on motion of the
same gentleman.
On motion of Mr.. BASS, bill to incorporate the
Aioosiook River Log Driving Company, was taken
from the table and recommitted to the Committee
on Interior Waters.
On motion of Mr.. LYNCH the bill to re,iuce the
rate Of interest was taken from the table and to-
morrow at II o'clock specially assigned for It's
further consideration.
Bill an act TO amend sec. IS, chap. Is of the re-
vsed statutes, relating to damages ways, as
amended BY chap. 2l5 of the public laws Of 1874,
was taken from the table on motion of Mr.. BASS,
and Tuesday next specially assigned for its fur
,her consideration.
The bill to authorize the formation of railroad
corporations general railroad bin, came up by
special assignment.
Mr. PIKE said the bill substantially was before
the Legislature in II and ~, passing the House,
but failing in the Senate. The matter is now pre-
seuted in different light. BY the recent amend
ments to the Constitution it is made the imperative
duty OF the Legislature to pass general railroad
law, as well as general laws for the formation of
other corporations The bill before the House
provides that any number of persons not less than
ten may at any time, form railroad company,
with restriction that for a road with guage Of
feet ga inches there shall be subscribed capt.
tai stock Of not less than $4,000 per mile, and in
a narrower guage capital stock of ST, 900 per
mile. This was the first change from the present
law. The provisions in Massachusetts very
much more stringent, requiring Sl5, 900 per mile
for the ordinary guage and $4,000 for the mar
rover guage.
The ordinary cost Of railroads in this State is
not under $4,000 per mile, though many have
been attempted very much cheaper. In view of
these circumstances it seemed best to have at least
one-third of the amount subscribed beforehand,
for the ordinary guage.
The next provision provides for the filing OF the
papers in the Secretary of States office. and after
the proper provisions made, the railroad com
mlssloners are called upon to examine and approve
the location. 1t is necessary to have some tribu-
nal to determine whether railroads shall be bull.
OR not, taking the place of the Legislature which
determines that question now. The bill proposes to
vest that power in the railroad commissioners,
elected by public vote every other yeal, no voter
being allowed to vote for more than two. The
effect of this would be to take the matter out of
politics and make it business matter, and the
Office business one. 1t will give the minority IN
the State commissioner out of three, which
will oblige both political parties to nominate their
best men. He had no complaint to make against
the present board. The State would be fortunate
if it always secured such good men as IL has now.
But this is legislation for the future as well as for
the present; and it is legislation upon matter
which will give the railroad commissioners en-
larged power, their power heretofore having been
very limited-merely to examine and report the
cond tion of railroads in the State. The bill un-
der consideration gives them the power to decide
whether a new road shall be built or not-an i'm
portant consideration. But he thought it we'll to
try the experiment, and if not liked it could easily
be repealed.
Another feature in the bill different from the ex-
listing law, that OF determining the damages
on account Of land taken for railroad purposes.
Under the present law that power is placed with
the county commissioners jury. The bill
vests that power with the railroad commissioners,
which he contended would result in giving justice
to all parties. Owners Of land want railroads, and
the moment they get them want the biggest kind
of damages for their land taken Local julies
invariably influenced by the men who own the
land For that reason he would place that power
with the railroad commissioners, who could go
upon the ground, hear the parties, and make their
award, which, according to provision he would
offer shall be final. They could make the location
Of the road hang somewhat upon the question OF
damages.
Another provision Of the bill fixed the pay of
the commissioners at S. per day while on duty,
the sum now provided. But he would amend SO
that it should be paid by the State. They are now
compensated by the railroads in the State, al
though there is no law by which they are obliged
to pay one dollar. The railroads pay because
they think it well to keep on the right side of the
commissioners.
lie moved to amend so that the compensation Of
the commissioners shall be paid by the State,
which was adopted.
lie also moved to amend by striking out section
Y, and inserting two more sections, giving the
subject matter OF the section stricken out in
detail, and making the decision of the commits
sioners in of land damages final
Mr.. EASTMAN opposed the amendment, because
it would deprive citizens Of Trial by jury, con.