Daily Kennebec journal., 1879-01-14

OF state To IurnlSn tnc monitors Win certain
books, was reconsidered, and the same gen
tleman moved to strike out the words ''onc
copy of Webster's quarto dictionary He
said that there was but one copy in the library
that could be furnished without going to the
expense of buying more.
Mr.. DANA of Portland, who originated the
order, accepted the amendment, and the order
as amended was again passed.
Mr.. PIcKARD of Bangor called from the
table the resolutions in favor of ben-
nial sessions of the Legislature
and elections, the state elections
to be held on the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in November. He said the subject
had been repeatedly called to the attention of
the legislature by the chief executive of the
State: but for causes not necessary to con-
slider it had not received legislative approval
by Il two-thirds vote of both houses. But he
had been led from the magnitude of the State
debt. nearly five millions of dollars. and the
heavy taxation to meet annual expenses to
believe that the people desire the change ex-
pressed in the resolutions. In view of the
heavy burdens under which the people are suf-
fering he thought all should be ready to acqui-
csce in any retrcnchmcnt that will rcliey them.
OF course no one desired to do any thing that
should destroy or even cripple the efficiency
of any of the institutions necessary to the
State. But he believed that annual sessions
and elections unnecessary. II an extraordi-
nary occasion arose, the Governor had the
power to convene the Legislature. Twenty
eight States of the Union now hold biennial
sessions, and only ten annual sessions. and
but three of the latter annually elect their
governor. Twenty-three of the thirty-eight
States now hold their State elections on the
first Tuesday after the first Monday in Nov.
the time for holding the presidential election.
"A L.l,
would suffer by the change. At least three
fourths of the Of the last legislature were to
amend, repeal or modify other acts, and the
greater part of the balance was about birds.
game, dogs. cels. porgies. and everything else
on earth. Welegislatc too much. which arises
from holding annual sessions. Men are sent
here and are expected to do something: and
they hatch mp all kinds of things that had bet
ter be left alone. He next referred to the
vast expense attending our present system of
elections and sessions of the legislature. The
running expenses of the last session he found
tn be $50 $751; from careful calculation. This
vast sum is annually taken from the pockets
of the people, already borne down by the bur
dens of taxation. almost beyond endurance.
In addition to this were the many schemes for
appropriations to take money from the State
lie next referred TO the expense to the people
in attending elections. In 1877 the vote for
Governor was l62, COS. Estimating the time
of each voter at one dollar. a low estimate
would give some idea of the magnitude of
the money expended, to say nothing of the
wear and tear of conscience and horse flesh
incident to heated election.
Retrenchment must be made or the State
tax must be increascd; and the question must
be met on the threshold of the session. He
was for curtailing in State affairs as he would
N Ia mn
a computation of the costSof annual elections
since the formation of the State. and claimed
that the amount thus unnecessarily expended
would be more than enough TO wine out the
State debt He expected politicians would
oppose the measure, in hopes that they may
reap some personal benefit by keeping up the
annual political strife. Bnt the people all
over the.State. borne down by the burdens of
taxation. would hail it with approval
Mr.. HALL of Newcastle, suggested that the
Committee on Civil Service Reform had the
matter of civil reform under consideration.
and the matter under discussion would be
considered by them.
On motion of Mr.. PIcKARD the resolutions
were ordered to be printed and referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary.
On motion of Mr.. SMITH of Hodgdon,
Adjourned.
PETITIONS, BILLS, &C., PRESENTED AND RE-
FERRED.
BY Mr.. SARGENT of Sedgwick-B an act to facilitate
and equalize the transportation of freight and pas
senRers over all railroads In the state. [l'roydes
that all roads crossing each other shall be deemed for
business purposes, connecting roads also shippers of
freight to any point reached by the Portland Roch-
ester, Sace Portland or Boston Maine Railroad,
and their connections south and west, shall di-
rect over which line of the above roads the freight
shall go Referred to the Committee on Railroads.
Bv Mr.. LEWIS of standardization of assessors
OF ade plantation, Aroostook comfy, for act to
legalize certain proceeding in the organization of
said plantation. Referred to the Committee
Towns.
BY Mr.. DICKEY of 1T. Kent-Resolve amendatory
of chap Y of the resolves Of 1873, entitled resolve
granting two lots of land to William Brown of Eagle
Lake plantation under certain conditions. Referred
to the Committee on State Lands.
BY Mr.. PERRY Of Poland-Bill an act to amend
chap. 2, of the revised statutes of $50 re-
lating to line fences. Referred to the Committee on
Legal Affairs.
Bv Mr. wILLorGHBY of Rockland-Remonstranc
of Francis Cobb and $50 others against setting of
Ward from Rockland and Incorporating the same in
10 separate town. Referred to the Committee on
Towns.
By Mr. WooDCOcK of Princeton-Credentials of
Sabbattus Dana, delegate of the Penobscot Indians
and Newell Joseph, delegate from the Pas samaquod-
dy Indians. Referred TO the Committee on Indian
Affairs.
BY Mr. COLDER of Rome-Petition of D. Colder
and y others for law prohibiting the taking of trout
from Great and Long Ponds in the towns of Rome,
belgrade and Mt Vernon. Referred to the Commit
tee on Fisheries.
Serois and A. others of Madawaska for aid in build
ing bridge across the Martin brook Referred to the
Committee on state Lands.
By Mr. IAMSoN Of Freedom-PptitiOn of Jonathan
Bartlett ct ais of Moaye, for legislation in relation
to setting of part of the town of Montvile and
nexing the same TO liberty. Referred TO the Com
BY Mr., SPAULDING of Richmond-Petition Of ].
L. Brown ct ais. of Bowdonham for protection of the
shore and river fisheries. Referred the Committee
on Fisheries.
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