The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-01-11
By TELEGRAPH.
FROM AUGUSTA.
The Dru9gisis' BiII--Reduction Of saIar-
ies-MineralOgical survey-The Areox-
took Senatorial Contest, etc.
Especial to Press,l

AUGUSTA, Jan. TO-
The fishermen along the Maine coast say
that the fishing business, especially that of
mackerel catching, has been almost ruined by
the great number of porgie steamers that oper-
ate along our shores during the summer, and
petition has been introduced in the House to
restrict the operations of the steamers.
A bill has been presented giving the drug
gsts and apothecaries of the state the right to
keep Intoxicating liquors for the purpose of
compromising medicines and have them ex-
empt from seizures The bill will meet with
considerable opposition in the Legis ature on
the ground that should the druggists choose to
sell in violation Of the prohibitory law their
liquors could not be seized and they could only
be convicted on the testimony of those who
bought, which testimony it is difficult to pro.
cure.
The Committee on Education were instruct
ed by an order introduced by Mr.. Adams, to
inquire into the expediency of allowing towns
with more than 1900 inhabitants to elect more
than three persons as experimenting school
committee.
The Judiciary Committee are ordered to see
IT the law relating to poor debtors might not
be amended so that poverty may not subject q
person to punishment as a criminal.
Mr. Lothrop of st. Adams, has introduced
in the House an order looking to the reduction
of the salaries of all state officers, legislative.
Judicial and civil. SO that they shall bear a
more equitable proportion to the business in
terests of the state. L think it has never been
charged that our state officers have received
too nuch pay for their services. Our Governor
has only $2500 year, which sum would hardly
enable him to live in q style which becomes the
executive of great state. The Treasurer re-
ceives $4,000. For this sum he must devote his
entire time to the Office give bond for $780,
900 and is responsible for nearly half million
of dollars. The Secretary of State gets only
$1,000 per year.. He has to see that all the state
records are properly made and kept He de-
votes all his time to the duties of his position,
and certainly cannot get very rich upon the sal
airy he rece ives. Our judges are paid $4,000.
ANY lawyer of fair abilities can make more
than that sum In his business.
The Committees on Education, State Prison,
Reform School, Agriculture and Military At
fairs have been authorized to visit the institu-
tions they represent.
Gen. Tilson asks that Hurricane Island may
be set off from the town of Vinalhaven and
made town by itself There are about 1000
inhabitants on that busy island, which would
make very respectable town. Hurricane is
four miles by water from the village of vinal-
haven and there is but little communication
and no public conveyance between the two
places.
A formidable petition was presented in the
House today for meteorological survey af the
state. Maine is believed to be rich in mineral
resources and this survey is just what is need
ed to locate and help develope our mines. Pro-
badly thousands of dollars have been thrown
away in experimenting with gold mines, sink
ing shafts, &C., on the mere discovery of gold
upon the surface when none existed below.
This survey will enable people to operate intel
ligently, and thus save much labor and capital.
The Committee on Reform School will visit
that institution at Cape Elizabeth, Friday,
Jan. 9th
Several committees organized this afternoon.
The Committee on Temperance Legislation
and Liquor Law are to hold weekly meetings
on Friday afternoons The: Finance Commit
tee are examining the Treasurers accounts.
The Committee on Senatorial Votes gave q
hearing this evening on the Aroostook contest
ed case, P. G. Keegan appearing for Madigan,
and W. P. Whitehouse for Burleigh Counsel
confined themselves to the law of precedent In
discussing whether the returns from certain
towns should be received. No decision is vet
reached. RoDER1cK.