The Portland daily press., 1876-02-02
Especial to the Press.l

AUGUSTA. Feb. l, 1876.
The debate on the interest bill to-day was
one OF unusual interest. The Hall was full,
the area about the Speakers desk being
filled with ladies. Mr.. Haynes opened the de-
bate and spoke nearly an hour, during which
time he received the close attention of the
House. He devoted large portion of his time
to the history of the usury question, and the
attempts of the government to regulate the
price of money and the necessaries of life. He
quoted authorities in political economy to show
that the wisdom of that class is against fixing
rate of interest. He also devoted some time
to showing the fallacy of attempting to define
the natural rate of interest by law. MI.
Haynes business has not been in the direction
to give him practice in public speaking but be
is ready and forcible speaker. Mr.. Powers
speech was undoubtedly the best effort he has
ever made in the House. His argument was
fair, cOgent and his manner most effective.
Mr.. Lynch of Machias quite surprised the
House. He proved himself to be speaker of
power and adroitness. He made even more of
his side than did Mr.. Pike He seized uron
his best points and used them with power His
candor and warmth concealed the speciousness
of his argument There was Just a flavor of
demagogism about it. No man ever thought
of taking more than six per cent interest in
Machias until the mischievous law put it into
his head. Now he wants eight ten, twelve
and more. The law has destroyed his con-
science and made him Shylock. The simple
holder of money would ten years ago lend to
anybody; now he puts it in the savings bank to
have an excuse for not lending to the fellow
who needs money. He made the money lend
er dreadfully grasping fellow, sort of ghoul
who went about devouring innoc ent but i'm
pecunious lenders. He had the floor when the
the House adjourned aud will ontinue to NOR
row.
The Montville fight is at its fiercest in the
committee to-day and continues this evening.
A committee of the Maine Medical Society.
consisting Of Drs. French of Portland, Brickett
of Augusta, and Horr of Lewiston, presented
bill before the Judiciary Committee today to
institute State Board of Health similar to
those already existing ia other states. The
board is to consist of seven members, who
shall have secretary at salary OF $4,000.
DR.. French read paper that won high COM
mendations for the ability with which he set
forth the advantages of such board. On the
merits Of the question the committee would re-
port the bill, but in these times of retrench-
ment the committee is nearly divided over the
item of cost. 1t has been suggested that the
fish propagation fund be turned over to the
creation of the board.
The Deering Boulevard came to a sudden
termination today before the Ways Committee.
The projectors of the scheme lad failed to give
legal notice of their intention to the Legisla-
ture and on that omission the matter will 60
to the next Legislature. The committee could
not waive that without violating the statute.
Some careful lawyers, who have been looking
up the matter, are very confdent that the
judges of the Supreme Court will give the
opinion that the school mill tax is constitution
al.
The Finance Committee tomorrow hear the
friends of the Maine General Hospital. Drs.
Greene and Tewksbury will address the COM
mittee. The feeling in favor of the hospital is
much better than year ago. The patients all
over the state who have been treated at the
hospital prove to be ardent advocates Of the
claims of the institution.
The Temperance Committee held a session
this evening. After full consultation it was
voted te report legislation inexpedient relative
TO increased penalties.
The Railroad Committee today gave leave to
the Maine Central to bring to the committee
bill authorizing them to take up the track
from Crowley's to Lseds' junction. The COM
mittee did not vote on the merits Of the uues-
tion. There is a strong feeling to require the
company to make the connection through Lew
iston before the track is taken up.
The Land Grant Investigation Committee
will meet tomorrow The matter is hardly
spoken off.
The Railroad Committee will report bill
giving the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad
further time to locate portion of the line and
bill to amend the charter of the Aroostook
River Railroad.
The Judiciary Committee will report a bill
giving additional rights to married women in
actions of tort.
A bill will be presented providing for the
payment of salaries of railroad commissioners
by the state instead of by corporations. S,