Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-02-08
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
Senate.

currence.
On motion of Mr. BRAeDoS, pending concur
renee with the House in indefinitely postponing
bill an act authorizing the location Of a highway
over the tide waters Of Gorges river, in Thomas
ton, the bill was laid the table.
The PRESIDENT called Mr.. Nealley to occupy
the chair.
Mr.. BoARpMAN introduced the following re.
solve;
Resolved, That the Attorney General be re-
quested to inquire forthwith into the management
of the Maine Industrial School for Girls, and as
certain whether it is conducted in accordance with
the design of its Incorporation and report to this
legislature what legislation if any is necessary to
compel said corporation to more strictly pursue
that design
On motion of Mr.. BoARDMAN, the rules being
suspended this resolve took its several readings.
Mr. PHILLIPS thought that the committee spe-
cially chosen upon this could attend to it as well
the Attorney General. 1t looked like . refiec-
ton on the committee. and perhaps on the legis-
lature which bad selected the committee. He
thought the matter now better lie on the table.
Mr.. BoARDMAN disclaimed any reflections.
Some Of the children in the institution came from
poor houses, and there were only two places in
the State from which money had been received.
Very few had been sent there to be reformed, and
If the school was high toned pauper boarding
school. he wanted to know it, and on this account
had introduced the resolve
Mr.. ToLMAN, as chairman of the committee for
this school, said there three from poor houses
anu tnev were Dau gllls ana nau been sent there
to be reformed. One GIRL the daughter of a sea
captain, had been sent there where she might be
imp pioved. The father had met her expenses.
The institution is a reformatory one and he could
cite cases that reflected credit upon it. So far as
he could learn the school was well conducted and
doing the work intended
Mr.. PHILLIPS moved the resolve lie on the table.
Mr.. BoARDMAN moved the vote be by yeas and
nays.
Messrs. Stevens, Haynes and Phillips each
urged that they desired more time to look into this
matter.
Mr.. BoARDMAN withdrew his motion for the
yeas and nays.
Mr.. PHILLIPS motion to lay the resolve on the
table prevailed.
Mr.. HAYNES moved to take from the table the
reports upon the Aroostook Senatorial election
case, and that the same be assigned for to-mor-
row.
The motion prevailed
Mr.. STEVENS said that he had no objections TO
taking the reports up to morrow But they could
take no ust action in the case. because the re-
ports were long, and many of the Senators hadn't
time to give to the reports before the day as-
signed lie gave notice of his intention to intro
duce order that the vote on the question should
be taken next Tuesday.
Mr.. HAYNES opposed fixing any time. If the
vote could not be reached tomorrow, then the
der might be introduced
Mr.. STEVENS urged the feasibility of his order,
for this would give opportunity to vote without
undue haste. There was no harm in allowing the
bill to lie on the table.
Mr.. DAVIS of Penobscot, moved reconsidera-
tion of the vote whereby the consideration of the
case assigned for tomorrow, and it was as
signed for Tuesday forenoon.
The following joint standing committees SUBJ
mitted their final reports through their charmen,
and stated that they had acted on all matters re-
ferred to them Commerce, Fisheries, Msnufac-
lures, Railroads, State Lands and State Roads,
Towns, Temperance, Ways and Bridges.
These rp ~ accented and sent down.
Mr.. BAILEY from the Financial Committee, re-
ported bill an act repeating the several acts estab
fishing the school mill fund for the support Of
common schools; printed under rule.
Mr.. BAILEY said that he knew there would be
intense icehng about this matter. The commit
tee have had this under consideration tor several
weeks and have been endesvorirg to find q way
10 meet the expenses of the State without touch
ing the school funi. The State is in such an i'm
poverished condition that it cannot meet this five
mill tax. The State could temporize BY borrow
ing money, but no careful business man would do
that. The way for States and nations to do is to
levy sufficient to meet their expenses. The total
State expenditures in 1853 were 1894 ,00S, and in
1860 S529 $685. which increase was due to the Peck
deialcstion. Following these years money be-
came flush, and the State brancned out as indi-
vldusls did, that we find the State expenditures
for 1876 81 ,293,277, and for 1871 81 ,37l 627
But the times hard now and when IS the end
to be Every town in the State would labot
der extreme hardship to meet the five mill tax
lie was glad to give aid TO toe schools, but the
school fund should be limited This step has been
a hard thing for the committee to do, but they
have almost unanimously, only one dissenting,
concluded to report this bill,
In 1870 the State school expense was $40 $685.
Il, and in 1871, SOS, ,4l497. In six years the ex-
penses on this account have increased so that in
1877 the amount was S4Sl 22447, and the esti-
mated expense for 1878 is $42S,69s. Can We
stand pressure like this Adding to this last
amount the interest due on the public debt this year
$3.50 900, and these two items, the school expense
and The interest, reach the sum of S1S3 369S-an
amount greater than the total State expenses in
1859 and 60. The population, too, Of this State
is almost stationary and the valuation is about the
same as in 1860. The committee tried not to
touch the school fund, but there seemed other
resort than the one recommended.
He also protested against the law, which
compelled places to give to other localities after
they have expended money to support their own
schools. If you take from the school fund, it will
do no harm and will establish four mill tax 10
place of one of five. And the Senator also stated
that il was his honest conviction that 500 000 of
the State school money was now annually thrown
away.
Mr.. BURLEIGH, from the Committee on State
Lands and State Roads, reported laave to with.
draw on petition of selectmen of Munson for aid
in repairing bridge. Also, on order of claims Of
settlers of Wallagrass plantation, reported refer.
ance to the Governor aud Council with directions
to report to the next legislature.
Also, en- petition, reported resolve Tor repairing
bridge over Mounkers stream 10 Macwshoc plan
tation printed under rule.
Also, reported leave to withdraw on petition
for appropriation TO repair road leading from
Abbot Depot to Shirley.
Also, on petition, reported a resolve entitled .
resolve relating to Perham plantation; printed
under rule.
Mr.. PRINCE. from the Committee on Legal AZ
fairs, reported ought not to pass on bill an act re-
lating to itinersnt physicians.
Mr.. RoaERs, from the Committee on Banks
and Banking reported legislation inexpedent on
order relating to an amendment Of sec. 8, chap.
32 of the revised statutes relating to banking.
Mr.. NEALLEY, from the Committee on Rail
Roads, on order and in reference to the second
part of said order, reported bill act TO amend sec.
10, chap l20 of the public laws of 1876, entitled
act TO authorize the formation of railroad COR
porations; IN reference to the first part that leg
islstion is inexpedient; printed under rule.
Mr.. DAVIS of Cumberland, from the Committee
on Rad Roads, repor, ed in new draft and ought
to pass act additional to chap. 10 Of the public
laws of 1875 relating to the taxation Of railroad
companies; printed under rule.
Mr.. HAssELL, from the Committee on Tows, on
petition of inhabitants of Ward plantation to be,
set of flom proprietors lands, reported leave TO
Withdraw.
Mr.. PHILLrPs, from the Committee on Legal
Affairs, reported ought to pass ON bill an scf TO
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