Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-13

| Bill an act 10 amend chap. 6f9 of the private
and special laws of lS1l entitled an act for the
linqushment to the United States, in certain
cases Of title TO lands for sites for light stations on
the coast and waters of the State of Maine
On motion of Mr.. SHEPHERD,
Adjourned 10 Monday next at P. NJ.
House.
FRIDAY, Jan. II.
In the absence Of The Speaker the House was
called to order by the Clerk, ORAMASDAL
SMITH, ESQ.
On motion of Mr.. SHEPHERD of Ca nden, it was
| Ordered That in the ab>ence of the Speaker,
Fl. b. CLEAvEs, Esq, Of Porlacd, be Speaker pro
TEN.
Mr. C1EAvEs was CO nductcd to the Char by
Mr.. SHEPHERD, aud addi es-ed the House q. fol
lows
Gentlemen oftAe House of Representatives
i miugle with you my regrets at the recep jon
| Of the intelligence that has caused the abSeLce of
your presiding officer. He has our symps hy
Thanking you for the honor conferred in call
ing me to preside temporarily over your dehber-
atoms, and asking your aid and forbeaiance,
am ready to proceed with the business Of the
House.
Prayer by Rev Mr.. T1LDEy Of Augusta.
Papers from the Senate disposed OF in concur.
renee.
Mr.. GRANT Of Ellsworth, was charged with and
conveyed message to the Governor, informing
him of the choice OF Hon. HENRY Is. CLEAvEs Of
Portland, as Speaker pro TEN.
Mr.. HADLoCK Of Cranberry Isle, was charged
with and conveyed similar Aessage TO the Sen
ate.
Resolve relating to obtaining information of the
municipal indebtedness OF citles and towns passed
by the House, came from the Senate amended.
| MIR. HoBsoN believed the resolution was not
what is required at the present time. He would
60 as far as anybody in legislation to stop
running into debt on the part OF towns; but he
was thoroughly opposed to advertising, at great
expense, the mistakes of our municipalities. The
proposition here is to put those mistakes into tab
ulated form, and send them broadcast over the
country advertising their exact financial condi
ton. He regarded such a course detrimental to
the best interests Of the State, for it would deter
people from coming among us, and would cause
our young men TO 20 into Western states, as they
have done heretofore. He did not believe we are
so badly involved, financially, as had been repre-
sented, but he was opposed to Advertising the
matter, and was therefore opposed 10 the measure
under consideration.
Mr.. PIKE was surprised that there should be
any opposition to the proposition. He had not
anticipated any, aud certainly not upon the
ground stated by the gentleman from Wiscasset
Mr.. HoBsoN). He had not supposed that we
are so largely in debt that We afraid to make
it known. The policy Of our government, from
the national government down to the school dis
trcts, is one of publicity. We publish every
month the condition of the debt OF the United
States. We are the only government in the
world that does 1t. We did it in the bluest times
when the debt was the largest. We have done il
since and shall always do it so long as we have
a government. We do il in this State every year.
We see what we have to do and like honest men
propose to pay the debt. More safeguards are
needed in ths matter Of municipal indebtedness.
Debts are easily Incurred, and it is hard to get
rid Of them. We are laborng under individual
and corporate Indebtedness, and Of the two the
corporate debt is infinitely worse than the indi-
vidual debt; for yoa can go down to Judge Fox's
count and get your individual debt wiped out,
AID stand again as you we're before. But your
corporate debt is immortal. The resolution
asks simply for Information, and he ssured gen
tlemen sensitive on that point that there no
need OF the slightest publicity about it. The in
formation goes to the Secretary of States office,
and gentlemen desiring could have access to it.
Mr. HoBsoN further opposed the amendment
and resolution. lie believed the idea that we are
so terribly involved was erroneous. We have
great natural resources a State, and all needed
to develop them is that the legislature shall take
the best course to encourage our people TO remain
at home and encourage people to come into the
State and settle. If we make some mistakes in
some of our towns is it any reason why we should
advertise It in the newspapers from Maine to Lou
lsiana that others may take advantage of us lie
submitted that such course would be an injury
to the State He moved to refer the whole matter
to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. PIKE opposed the motion. 1t was mere
matter uof inquiry and not legal proposition,
and he could see no good in such reference.
Mr.. PILsBURY of Lewiston favored the motion
/ II
bearing of the resolution.
Mr.. PIKE had no objection to the matter going
on the table if the gentleman (Psbury) simply de-
sired to look at it.
The motion to refer was lost. The Senate
amendment was then adopted and the order given
a passage.
On motion of Mr.. FELLOWS, it was
Ordered, That the Committee on Towns inquire
into the expedlency of legislation authorizing any
town in the State TO elect its municipal officers for
! ter n n as
/ County Commissioners are now elected.
On motion of Mr.. SHEPHERD, twas
| Ordered, That the Committee on Federal Rela
tons inquire into the. expediency of further leg
slation in regard to the establishment beyond
dispute, of the boundary line between this State
and the State of New Hampshire.
On motion of Mr.. ROBBINS, it was
Ordered, That the Committee on Judiciary in
quire into the expediency of passing act re-
strctng the sale of opium and its preparations.
On motion of Mr. CHASE of Standisb, 1t was
Ordered, That the Committee on Federal Rela-
tons inquire into the expedency Of any recon-
mendstions or request by this Legislature to our
Maine Representatives in Congress in regard to
the repeal or amendment of the present bank
rupt law.
On motion of Mr.. HINcKLEY of Georgetown,
it was
Ordered, That the Committee on the Judiciary
inquire into the expediency of making more def
mite and elective by amendment, chap. 35S of
the special laws of 1873 relating to the throwing
ofbalast toto the Kennebec river. by striking out
all between the word (which" in the third line,
and the word ''on' in the fourth line, and insert
ing in place the words "lies below the city Of
Bath"
On motion of Mr.. HoBsoN, it was
Ordered, That the Committee on Agriculture
inquire into the expedency of amending secs. 6,
and % of the revised statutes, relating to lice
fences.
| On motion of Mr.. HTNcKLEY of Bluehill, it was
! Ordered, That the Committee on Agriculture