The Portland daily press., 1878-02-18

the Paris Exposition-The Agricultural
Coiiese-The will Tax-Thc Legisla-
fure Prncticing Strict Economy.
| AUGUSTA Feb 16.
| This has been very busy week in the Legig-
lature Some of the most important matters
OF the session, including the fish BILL bill re-
| pealing the school mill tax, the druggists bill,
DHi hiking the state tax at four mills, the Ag-
rlcultural College appropriation, and other
questions have been under consideration and
disposed of in part or in full. The members
are working like beavers with the determine
ton to get through next week, and think
they Will do so, although there are some very
important matters yet to be taken up 1t
| takes four days to cast the state tax. The
force In the treasurer's office is now engaged
in that work on the four mills basis, and will
complete it By Tuesday night, and then it takes
the printers four days to engross it. Should
the rate be changed to Al mills, as some pro-
pose, an adjournment cannot possibly be
reached next week. 1t is said the Governor
will send in message advising that i've mills
be adopted. The tax has already been cast on
that basis.
The Governor today nominated Hon. Fred.
erick Robbie of Gorham to be one of the honora-
~ commissioners to the International Indus
trial Exposition at Paris the coming summer
This is capital appointment and is very graf
flying to Col. Robes friends. Should he &C.
cept this honorable position, Maine will BY
him be very ably represented at this great in
ternatonal exposition. The commission will
De composed of two and the other gentleman
VIII probably be selected from the Eastern part
of the state
The Judiciary aud Legal Affairs Committees
have some business yet before them and will
not report finally for two or three days. The
condition of the treasury requires it and the
Legislature is vigorously scrutiniziug all bills
appropriating money. The House especially is
very economical, having voted down the prop
osition to appoint State Geologist without
pay.
The State College of Agriculture is by many
considered an elephant, and it got good many
hard hits in the House today while the bill ap-
propiiating some $4,000 to keep the breath of
life In the concern was under consideration.
The request for $500 to build workshops, in
which to teach the Russian system of instruc-
ton in the mechanic arts, did not hardly re-
ceive respectable attention.
The resolve approprating $12, 900 for clothing |
the militia was voted down by large MAORI |
ty, although many voted against it who would !
not have done SO had the treasury been 10 bet |
ter condition. They felt that it could not DOS.
sibly be done this year.
The porgy bill is not yet disposed of. The |
Senate amendment that the bill take effect one |
year from its approval, was killed in the House |
today, and what the Senats will do about it re- |
mains to be seen.
The bill repeating the act establiS hing the |
school mill fund, was ably discussed in the |
Senate Friday. Senator Bailey took the ground |
that much of the money which is sent to the |
small country towns for the schools is misap- |
propriated aud could be saved and no real dam |
age done to the schools. Many senator's |
thought that it is blow at our common schools
and it was voted down by large majority.
The unusual attendance of the wives and |
lady friends of the Senators has measurably d.
unfinished since the porgy struck off and the
ArOostook claimant and his counsel have been |
returned to private life.
The Judiciary Committee had before them
this evening bill giving tax collectors the au-
thority TO levy upon all property which is
taxed. They cannot now take property which
is exempt from attachment for debt. 1 think
the committee will report favorably upon the |
bill. RopERICK.