The Portland daily press., 1876-01-22
By TELEGRAPH.
FROM AUGUSTA.
Legislative Matters.
Temperance Hearing-NIr. Dow's Bill
Finance Committee,
Especial to the Press.l

Especial to the Pressl
AUGUSTA, Jan. 81.
A number of gentlemen interested in fish
culture and the protection of game, are here to
save the heads of the fish commissioners
which are threatened with the avenging sword
of economy. There are a number of leading
men in both branches who desire to see sim
gle result of seven years of experiment and ex-
penditure. That remarkable report hasn't
helped the commissioners. The information
furnished by the Secretary of State relative to
the expense of commissioners, wardens and
propagation does not include the money ex-
pended for the cultivation of sea fish. A care
full member says that in the past ten years
$2S000 has been expended for fish. There are,
too, great many industrious people who re-
gard fresh-water fishing as one of the milder
types of vagabondism.
The bill relative to election returns presented
by the Judiciary today provides that the
names of candidates which are mispelled or
the initial thereof are given shall be counted by
the Governor and Council for county officers,
and that they may take testimony to establish
the facts in the case.
After the adjournment of the House
the Committee on Temperance gave
hearing to part of the Committee of the Tenn
perance Convention in the Judiciary room.
Gen. Dow Mrs. Crossman of Bangor and Mrs.
Fitzgerald were present. Gen. Dow, although
he appeared for the convention, advocated
bill which was not considered by that body.
The following synopsis gives an idea of the
rather remarkable measure:
Section 1 prohibits the manufacture of intox.
icating liquors except that any person NAV
manufacture cider from apples grown in the
state, which he may in quantities not less than
one gallon, to be delivered and carried away at
one time. The first violation of this section
is fine of $780, or six months at hard labor.
The penalty of the second conviction, is both
fine and Imprisonment, or a double dose of jail.
Section provides that premises where liq-
uorS are believed to be manufactured in viola
tion OF law may be searched under the same
provisions as where the same is supposed to be
kept for sale unlawfully.
Section 3 declares that intoxicating liquors
whatever their origin, kept or deposited for
sale, may be seized at any time and in any
place, with the packages containing them with
the apparatus connected with them or employ.
ed in their sale to be destroyed as now provid.
ed; and the burden of proof that such liquors
were not intended for sale shall be with the
party claiming such liquors or with whom they
were found. The penalty af first conviction to
be fine of $500 or in default, SIX months hard
work in prison; second and subsequent conyic-
ton, both fine and labor or double dose of la
bor
Section declares that no action shall be had
in any court for the recovery of such liquors or
their value.
Section declares that any person who shall
keep sign or notice of any kind upon or with
in any part of his premises, indicating that
intoxicating liquors are sold therein, shall be
ddjudged common seller and fined as such for
each and every day which said sign has been
upon his building.
Section declares that all partners in the
trade shall be included in complaints or ndict-
ments, and all clerks and assistants shall be
considered aiders and abettors and punished
the same as the principal. 1t also provides
that the penalty for single sale shall be 800
hne or four months imprisonment; and the
second offence 5000 fine and imprisonment for
six months.
Section provides that no liquor case shall
be continued except for the purposes of Justice,
and that no penalty shall be remitted or judg-
ment suspended.
Section 8 gives officers making seizures $40
in addition to the present fee, where the party
is convicted.
Section 9 provides that previous convictions
shall be named in complaints and warrants
when such have occurred,
Section 10 declares that any person interfer-
ing or hindering an officer in the discharge of
his duties, shall pay fine of $50 and go to Jail
tnree months to hard work.
Section IL makes the penalty of common
seller $500 or six months imprisonment; sec
ond conviction $500 and six months in Jail;
subsequent convictions, $500 fine and one year
in jail. The section further provides that in
case the convict cannot be regularly employed
at labor in the county Jail, he shall undergo his
sentence in the state prison.
Mrs. Crossman desired legislation to prevent
agencies from being rumshops. Mrs. Fitzger-
aid urged some measure to prevent the sale of
hard cider and like beverages to boys. A fur
ther hearing will take place next Thursday
evening.
The Financial Comnittee completed the an
nual investigation of the accounts, funds.
vouchers, etc., of the State Treasurer, and re-
port every thing ali right The election of State
Treasurer will probably take place on Wednes-
day next.
A large number of members went home this
evening.
The party at the Augusta House this even
ing was splendid affair. about 100 couples
participating in the dancing S.