Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-03

would not affect the rights of any individual or
corporation. The bill contemplates the defining
of wrong. No person has right to make
waste pool of the navigable waters of the State.
He said that the committee had taken the precau.
ton TO give notice of public hearing on the sub
jsct by public notice in the kennebec Journal
from Jan. 10th to Jan. oath and parties opposed
to the bill appeared before the committee with
counsel.
Mr. HAYNES maintained that no law existed by
which individuals have right TO obstruct the
navigabe river. The bill was not to take away
any rights, but TO establish the rights which all
the people on the river have in having its waters
kept unincumbered. He discussed the question
of notice. and argued that in the present case no
notice was required.
Mr. BURRILL vigorously opposed the bill, and
characterized II as an abomnaton lie claimed
that It was in the interest of sristocracy and
monopoly. 1t emenated from parties in Water
vile. Many people then got from the river their
wood which came down from his town (Fairfeldl
and the bill was IN the interest of the Lockwood
Manufacturing Company, and those hav-
ing wood to sell. He said the interests
OF many were involved. not only those parties on
the kennebec but those its tributaries and le-
gal notice should be had. 1t was a matter of vast
importance to his constituents. They had three
or four hundred thousand dollars invested In the
lumber business, and the bill would reduce the
valIe OF their property more than 500 600. lie
moved to refer the bill to the next legislature.
The SPEAKER said that in a matter of so much
lnpollhuCt anu luNOlNlDp tue OF so many Ques-
lions before the legislature, the Chair would take
II as a personal favor if any person, feeling
aggrieved by his decision should take a prompt
aud immediate appeal from the decision OF the
Chair, and the servant of the House, the
Char would endeavor in all questions coming up
hereafter, TO be governed by the judgment
which the House might give upon such questions.
The Car was OF course governed entirely
by tue rule, which is: ''No act or
resolve shall he passed affecting the rights
of individuals or corporations without previous
notice to such individuals or corporations" What
notice was meant by this rule was not explained.
but the char supposed that the notice required by
the statute meant, notice of least II DAYS be-
fore the commencement ofthe session. In regard to
the question before the House, the Speaker said
that the privilege of throwing slabs into the Ken
nebec river has, by immemoral usage, become in
some sense, right; othUwise II would seem
hardly necessary TO pass any act in regard to the
matter. The decision of the chair would be that
the point made by the gentleman from Fairfield
(BIrrilD was a sound one; that there had been
notice to persons interested and opposed to the
passage Of the bill, and it therefore could not be
considered, and the motion to refer to the next
Legislature was a proper one.
Mr.. MEADER appealed from the decision of the
Chair.
The question OF the right of throwing slabs in-
to naviy able water, was tnen discussed BY Messrs
Locke Pike, Haynes, Meader, Learned.
Mr.. HAYNES and others discussed the question
of notice.
Mr.. MEADER Withdrew his appeal,
Mr.. HAYNES then said he understood TO be
perfectly competent for the House to pend the
rule cied by the Speaker, and to bring the bill
before the House. He made that motion.
The House refused to suspend the rule by
vote of IS yeas, j3 nays.
he bill was then referred TO the rext leg sla-
ture.
Bill aud act to amend chap. 6 sec. 80 of the
revised statutes, relating to the repairs of ways
in unincorporated townships came up by assign
ment and discussed by Messrs. BEssE,
LORD of Bangor, and Nadeau.
On motion of Mr.. BEssE the bill was amended
and passed to be engrossed
On motion of Mr.. RAND, bill an act to set of
part of Greene to the city Of Lewiston, was tax
en- from the table.
Mr.. SPRAGUE, of Greene, opposed the bill, and
argued that it was an Just measure and an en-
teing wedge for the setting OFT of more territory,
from his town to Lewiston.
Mr.. RAND, of Greenwood, advocated the pas
sage of the bill.
Mr.. SPkAGUE moved to indefinitely postpone
ment
Mr. PILsBURY Of Lewiston made a statement
of facts.
Mr.. FELLOWS spoke 10 favor Of the bill.
Mr.. CHASE, of Standish opposed.
The bill was indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Mr.. PIKE, the House
Adjourned.