The Portland daily press., 1878-04-24
AUGUSTA COBR EsPONDENCE
Meeting of the Executive Council-The
Railroad Eax-The Arrest of DR.. Teft
The Augusta Posim ership-C0ndi.
ton of the Insane HospitaI- Principal
of the New Normal School.
AUGUSTA, April %.

0ONOoAaJ ApAih -o'
The Executive Council commenced session
at the State House today, but there is only
routine business to transact. 1t has been de-
cided to assess the railroad tax at this session
although the Legislature last winter passed
law, or something which was intended for
law, fixing June as the time for the assess
meut of this tax, but through the carelessness
of the gentleman who drew the bill, the chap
ter of the law which it was intended to amend
was left out, and there is nothing to designate
what law was amended, excepting the title,
which is not part of of the law. understand
that some of the judges of the Supreme Court
are in doubt as to whether the time was actual
ly changed or not by the bill which was pass
ed, which is as follows:
AN ACT to amend chapter two hundIe1 and fifty
eight of the Public Laws OF eighteen hundred and
seventy-four, entitled can Act relating to Taxa
tion of Railroad Companies
Be it enacted, &c. as follows:
Section three OF the public laws of the year eight
by striking out the word "May,'' in the fifth line
thereof, and inserting the word June"
AS there is much doubt upon this subject, it
might be well for the Portland lawyer who
drew the bill to rise and explain.
There are several pardon cases, one for MUIR
der 10 Oxford county, to be argued at this ses-
sion.
1t would seem that the New York officers
who came to arrest DR.. Tefft for swindIing,
were after something beside justice. They pre-
sented themselves to the Secretary of State
with requsition upon Governor Connor,
which upon recommendation Of the At
torpey General, was granted. The newspaper
men of the city were put under the most SOL
emn promise not to speak of the fair for
fear of soaring the game" until the venerable
doctor was secured. Armed with pocket-full
Of legal documents they started for Poland
Springs, where Mr.. Tefft and family were
stopping for their health, but it appears that
the reverend gentleman didn't scare worth a
cent, they themselves not being able to ''get
away with him." Hs probably convinced
them that the charges in the indictments were
gro1ndless, and that it would not be for their
interest to trouble him They telegraphed to
Augusta that they thought the doctor had been
punished enough, and that they concluded uot
to arrest him. What kind-hearted gentlemen
New York officers sometimes prove themselves
to be, and honest, too, for they would not any
more compound felony than they would ar
rest a man because it would hurt his feelings.
Postmaster Hamlin's commission expires in
few months and there are several gentlemen
who are almost persuaded" that it is duty
which they owe to their beloved country to &C.
cept the place if the President should earnestly
request them to do so. Mr.. Hamlin has made
most acceptable officer, having given salts
faction to almost everybody, and If he wants
the office another term he probably could get it
in spite of all opposition. In the event of his
declining, the popular and efficient Deputy
Hill has been mentioned as his successor. Mr..
Hill has been connected with the Office for a
long time and is thoroughly cow ersant with all
the duties Messrs. Hamlin and Hill have
made the office model, and understand it is
SO regarded by the department
There are Ais patients at the Insane Hopital
| at the present time and the numb9r is gradual
| ly increasing. Every available inch Of room is
! in use and still the wards are too crowded. 1t
is estimated that for S15. 900 an extension could
| be put on the present building which would &C.
| commodate some IS patients aud enable the
| officers to take care comfortably Of all who
would require treatment at the hospital Tor
some time to come. The additional ex pense of
taking Care of the extra number would be com.
| paratively small.
| n. A. Luce, Esq clerk in the office of the
Superintendent OF Com uon Schools, is being
urged to accept the position of Principal of the
new Normal School at Gorham. Should be
| conclude to do SO the school will be in most ex.
| cellent hands, as Mr. Luce is one of the most
devoted, as we'll as successful educators in the
state. RoDERIcK.