Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-31
NO. 81.

gr0ssment, bill an act to amend chap. 1876 of
the public laws of 1877, relating to river fish
cries was laid on the table. .-,-,.,.r,-,..
On motion of Mr.. VINToN, pending its en-
grossment bill an act to amend chap. l39 of
the public laws of 1873, was laid upon the ta-
Bile. BY the same Senator's motion, pending
engrossment, bill an act relating to the pay
ment of the fees of referees by counties was
laid upon the table. Subsequently the bill
was taken from the table, and Mr. Vinton
proceeded to speak in opposition to the pas
sage of the bill. From hearing the question
debated in the House he became convinced
that 1t ought not to pass, and he classed it
one OF the most dangerous bills that had APP
pearcd before the Legislature. The bill pro-
vides that the expenses of referees shall be
paid from the County Treasury instead of by
the parties bringing the case. This would
entail enormous expense. and in Cumberland
County alone might amount in a single year
to not less than $1,000. The provisions of the
bill do not apply to Superior, but only to SUI
preme courts The best way to try case is
in the court where 1t is, and parties in great
majority OF cases make mistake in going
before referees. The referees NAV disagree
or on their report going to the court it may be
set aside. Thus all the proceedings have
gone for nothing. In nine out of ten instan-
ces parties that go before referees do so be-
cause they have weak cases. If the bill
should pass, cases to 90 before referees for
trial would increase, and there would he an
increase of expenses with no corresponding
good.
Mr.. MoREIsoN also opposed the bill, say
ing there was no good reason for its passage.
He said that one of the main points put forth
to sustain the bill was tnat parties under it
could get judgment sooner. He denied that
this would be So If the bill is passed, par
ties must agree, the same under the pres
ent law, before their cases can go to referees.
The present law gives parties all the facilities
they need. Pass this bill, and nine -tenths of
the cases disposed of on the first day of court
will go to referees. This is not done now,
since the costs prevent
Mr.. PATTEN was in favor of the bill, and
said that he expected the legal profession to
oppose the measure. and urge that it was in
terlined with mischief the others could not
see Contrary to the opinions of the other
speakers, he asserted that the bill would be a
measure of economy to the county.
The senator cited cases of bitter
experience at the hands of courts and
lawyers, to show how by long and expensive
trials the costs were increased. If he were
a party in case, he would rather choose
three enemies as referees than go before ju-
ries as they now are with his case. The
county pays all the expenses of courts now,
would have to be met. -.s..f q, .,,rfi,,ls s
Mr.. VINToN and Mr.. MORRISON denied
that they were interested in defeating the
bill since their bread and butter were in
volved The first named Senator said that
when the bill was before the House an able
lawyer there had defended it, while the latter
gentleman said that the bill if passed would
give them many cases before referees. e+fal
4 vote upon the bill was shut off by the
adjournment of the Senate.
Mr.. Conn, from the Androscoggin County
Delegation, reported as follows relating to
salaries of officers in that county:
Resolved, That the salaries of county
officers for Androscoggn county shall be as
follows: County Attorney S400, Register of
Probate $3.50, Judge of Probate $500 per
year; and that the County Commissioners
shall receive $500 per day for actual services
rendered and cents per mile travel.
The report was accepted l..4I.7.. B.
Mr. MAYHEM, from the Committee on
Towns, reported leave to withdraw on the pc
tition of Moses NJ. Lander and Others pray
ing that certain lots of land in Freeman be
set off, and the same annexed to kingfeld.
Mr.. PATTEN, from the Committee on Indi-
an Affairs, reported legislation inexpedicnt
upon the order relating to the sale of settlers
lots on Indian Township in Washington
county.
READ AND ASSIGNED.
Resolve confirming the location of lots re-
served for public uses in the town of Blaine:
bill an act to amend chap 63 of the public
laws of 1878, relating to the Maine Indus
trial School for Girls; bill an act to amend
chap 81 of the public laws of 1872 relating
to lien claim upon animals; resolve i'm favor
| of the town of Glenburn
PASSED To BE ENGRossED.
Resolve relating to the distribution of sta
tionery to the Legislature resolve In favor of
the town of Gouldsboro'; bill an act to
repeal chapter 232 of the laws of 1874 relating
to taxes; an act to repeal chap. l67 of the pub
lie laws of 1877 relating to the employment of
detectives by the State; an act to amend
chap. l21 of the revised statutes relating to
trespass an act to amend chap. 81, sec. 80
of the revised statutes relating to liens for
| land rent. t
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
| An act to prevent the taking of fish in Sib-
ley's pond in Canaan and Pittsheld. . ...
FINALLY PASSED.
Resolve amendatory of chap. - of the re-
| solves of 1878, granting two lots of land to
VIM. Brown of Eagle Lake plantation under
certain conditions. ~. ,,,.-. .It.t....
PETITIONS, BILLS, &C., PRESENTED AND Re-
FERRRD.
by Mr.. DEMONSTRATION of F. c. Hersey and %
others, asking for the passage of act respecting
suits for malpractice referred to the Judiciary Conn
| BY Mr.. characterization of Elias Milliken and
Others for Log Driving Corporation Moose river
referred to the Committee ON Interior Waters.
of sgnea - 's
the druggists bill, and on his motion II was laid on
the table as the bill in question has been disposed
BY Mr TIIoMAs-Resolves of the Reform Club