The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-02-14

The important acts passed by the Legislature
just adjourned are embraced in small compass.
Two constitutional amendments were prepared
to be submitted to the people, one providing
that no person shall vote at any state election
unless he has paid poll tax within two years
preceding the election, provided he has been as
sessed, and the other forbidding towns to in cur
Indebtedness exceeding per cent. of their val
uation. The amendment relating to biennial
sessions faile0. The act of the Legislature
which excites the most general interest is the
amendment to the liquor Law, which includes
wine and cider among Intoxicating liquors when
sold for tipping purposes. stringent law
was passed fOrbiddlng pool selling under heavy
penalties. A commission has been ordered to
examine pelsOns intending to engage in the
business OF apothecaries, and persons engaging
in such business without license from SAID
commission are to be fined $50 week if they
continue in business. A bounty of one cent a
pound for beet sugar from beets raised in the
state has been provided for. SO many lndict.
ments have been quashed on &C cOuut of irregu-
larlties in the summoning of jurors that none
can hereafter fail by reason OF any defect or
want of form or irregularities in jury centres.
Lettering without right at railway stations has
be, n prohibited Service of process may now
be made on foreign corporations by service on
any of its officers, or by leaving copy at the
office of the company. Breaking and entering
a railroad car is now in the same category as
breaking and entering dwelling house or Of
flee. 1t has been provided that the tenure of
Portland'S police force shall be extended during
good behavior, which will prevent the yearly
rush to the Mayors office. The City has been
authorized to sell its int rest in the Portland &
Ogdensburg and Portland & Rochester Rail-
roads and its charter amended SO as to prohibit
the mourning of debt above per cent. Of It's
valuation. The Portland, Rutland, Oswego
and Chicago Railway is allowed an extension
within which TO complete its road to the west
line of the state to Dec, 81, 1887
The following is a recapltulaton of the pro-
visions of the savings bank law, as finally en-.
acted:
l. The act will take effect March -, 1877.
2. The regular semi annual dividends are
limited to two and one-half per cent, but
3. The law provides that once in three years
the uet earnings of any bank, shall be divided
ratably among depositors of one, two and three
years standing.
1877, receive from any depostor over two thou
sand dollars, except from widows, orphans, ad-
minlstrators, executors, guardians, charitable
| Institutions and as trust funds In these cases
deposits may be received and interest paid on
any sum, without limit as to amount
| 5. The act does not affect transactions en-
| tered into by the bank, before the time when
] it takes effect, or apply to deposits remaining
| in the bank at that date. viz: March II, 1877.
d. All deposits in savings banks are ex
] empteo from taxation Dy cities, towns or nun
lclpalltles, either to the bank or the deposit.
or.
| Z. Savings banks are required to pay, al
heretofore, tax of one half of one per cent.
semi-annually to the state, tor the use of schools
and for state purposes.
8. The banks are required at the end o
each SIX months to pass to a reserved fund, an
amount which in all we'll managed banks viii
| be ample to protect depositOrs from injury from
any losses which may happen to the bank in
the management of its business investments
and fully secure depositors from loss.
8. Money deposited by married women @
minors, is declared to be the property of sucl
married WON. n or minors, payable only to then
or their orders, and not subject to the control
| OF husbands or parents
TO- Banks have the right under this act, a
heretofore, to require, If deemed proper, thirty
days notice for the payment of $500 or less, ant
l sixty days notice for any sum over $500.