Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-26
Legislative Notes.

4
The Gag on the State House was placed at half
mast yesterday, in respec. to the memory Of the
recently deceased members Of the legislature, and
culogies were pronounced in the House.
After to-day all bills and petitions for egisla-
ton except those for redress of wrongs and griev
arces which may be presented to the legislature,
will be referred to the next legislature; and the
order providing for this cannot be suspended nor
| rcconsdered except by two-.hirds vote Of the
| members present
A petition was preseated yesterday in the legis-
| lature from Charles W. Goddard and 81 others,
| members of the Society of Friends, asking for the
repeal of the death penalty. This is not Judge
Goddard of Portland he is not that kind of a
hairpin.
The committee on Agriculture, at their meeting
yesterday, despatched considerable business. On
order irquiring into the eXpediency of passing
law requiring the destruction of thistles and noS
ious weeds in highways and on lines of railroads,
legislation inexpedient. On bill making it obliga-
tory on towns TO tax dogs, ought to pass. Hard
on the poor fellow who keeps dozen dogs. On
order amending the statutes relating to fences, re-
quning owners of unincorporated land TO fence
their property, legislation ineypedient. On bill
referred from last legislature requiring the brand
ing Of pressed hay; also on bill coming from last
legislature, for the protection Of sheep and the
taSaton of dogs. legislation inexpedient. The
committee will visit the Agricultural College on
Thursday of next week. The committee will give
public hearing on Thursday afternoon Of this
week, in Representatives Hall, on the Agrcnltu1
al College question.
The Railroad committee gave hearing on the
Fort Fairfield Branch railroad, and result was
reached by allowing the parties to compromise
the matter without any further legislative action.
The Judiciary committee intend to report legis
lation inexpedient on the abolition of imprison-
ment of poor Debtors also on matter relating to
the clerks of County Commissioners.
The committee ON Constitutional Amendments
decided to report to-day a general railroad law,
(being Mr.. Pixies bilD. essentially the same as
passed the House in 1871, but defeated in the
Senate. They will also report general law for
the organization of all corporations of private
character.
The Bank committee gave hearing to Mr.. Boil
ster, the Bank Examiner, yesterday afternoon
At the close, Mr.. Bolster decided, all things
sdered, not to urge any change IN legislation this
winter relating to savings banks. IL IS understood
that some of the committee were in favor of les
sening the rate of interest to five per cent, though
it is evident that the feeling is to let the law
main as it is. In regard to the American Bank,
the committee decided to report Judge Bakers
bill, relating to lost certificates and settling up the
affairs of the institution. Among the savings
| bank officials who addressed the committee were
| VIM. r. Smith, Esq. of this city, and Judge Bak-
err Of lIallowell, both of whom opposed any legis-
| lation by the legislature on the subject.
| 4 bill will be presented in the House to-day by
| Col Porter, requiring the Secretary of State to
send election return blanks to muncipals officers
| through the mails instead of the method now en-
ployed
Ii is stated that move will be made in the
| House to test the constitutonahty of the law by
| which the mill tax is assessed.