Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-01-11
Legislative Notes and Gossip.

Petitions are ia circulation tn oughout the
State, asking that those apothecsres VINO have
been registered by the Board of Examiners, may
be allowed to keep liquors for medicinal purposes,
the same as other posons, TO be put up on the
prescriptions of physicians. If druggists sell He
galy they shall be subjec, to the fines and penal
tie, imposed by law This petition is receiving a
large number of signatures throughout the State,
and will come to the legislature bearing the names
of hundreds of temperance men, who, notwih-
standing their pronounced views upon the liquor
question, recognize alcohol as medicine, and are
willing that il should be classed with other med-
clnes, and be placed on the shelves of apotheca-
ries, to be dealt out like other medicines under
certain restrictions. A bill embracing the idea Of
the petition has been presented to the legislature
The Committee on Reform School met and or
ganized yesterday, choosing c. w. Porter of Car
ribou as Secretary. The committee voted to visit
the Reform School at Cape Elizabeth, on Friday,
January 25th
The Committee on Interior Waters, and that on
Public Buildings, met and organized.
The Committee on Financial Affairs are exam
lining the Tressuier's accounts and will thus be
engaged for several daysA
The Committee on the judiciary met in the Ju-
dietary room, yesterday afternoon, and organized
Augustus f. Moulton, Esq, Of Soarboro', was
chosen Secretary. d. d. Stewart. Esq. of St..
Adams, and Judge Humphrey of Bangor, spoke
against the petition Of I,aac wilder aud others.
for repeal of law relating to Sheriff..
The committee on Connubial Felicity will be
announced this morning by Old Smith.
The Committee on Senatorial votes had a ses
sion with closed doors yesterday afternoon, and
decided to conhne the dsputsnts in the Aroos-
took Senatorial case to law and piecedents in re-
gard to the consideration Of the returns from Van
Buren,, Eagle Lake, Blaine Macwahoc. Ia the
evening public hearing was had in tie Senate
Chamter, P. c. Keegsn, Esq appearing for Hon.
Edmund Madi gan, and W. z. Whitehouse, ESQ,
for Hon. z. p. Buileigh.
Mr.. keegan made a lengthy and exhaustive ar.
gument, occupying an hour and half, claiming
that the returns from Van Bulen were prsperly
attested, and should not be dislcg aided II there
were infolmslites in the returns, the people
should not be disranchiseI on that account. If
the officers have not done all the law requires,
there is general statute providing for The amend
melt of returns, even. The benefit of evelv
doubt should be given in favor of the elective
franchise. ln no case should the will of the Ieo-
pie be dsregsrdcd on account of the mistakes of
town ffcels.
W. p Whtehouse, Esq, .ad be should conflne
himself to the distinct questions before the com.
mittee. The counsel on the other side had de-
manded that the laws of the State should be re,
pealed. His whole talk is rant az ainst consitu-
tioual law. lie has proclaimed a revolutionary
doct inc.
Mr.. Burleigh starts with majority of lega!
votes in his favor, as the long list of affidayts
from aliens would show. Votes are to be counted
in accordance with the commands of law these
matters not left TO the discretion of indiy d.
uas. He read the law, and said the Only aues-
ton was ha, the law been complied with d; Can
gentlemen take the law into their own hands and
count votes as they please Apply thi. doctrine
and you won't know whether you have a legi.la-
ture or not. The returns from Eagle Lake have
no atsstaiions of the clerk, and the returns from
Van Buren, have no attestation whatever. lie
cited authorities to show that returns of the kind
have frequently been thrown out. There Will be
endless con tests unless you ard the safeguards
of the constitution. Let the same priu cipes be
applied TO every part Of the State. lie spoke in
contendiug for principle, on the decision of
which woud.depend in great measure the purity
of elections in Aroostook county
Mr.. Keegsn briefly replied
The hour Of half past ten being reached the
committee adjourned TO this morning at nine
o'clock