Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-13

Committee on State Lands and State Roads,
reported leave to withdraw on the petitions
that the State appropriate money TO assist in
building road in the town of Mayfeld.
Mr., MORRISON of Franklin. from the Com
mittce on the Judiciary, reported in new
draft, and ought to pass on bill an act relat-
ing to tramps. Printed under rule. tit pro-
vides that a tramp shall be imprisoned at hard
labor not longer than II months. For a tramp
to enter II dwelling house, or kndle fire in
the highway, or on the lands of another with
out consent; or to be found carrying fire arms
or dangerous weapons; or for threatening in
jury to person or property, it provides for not
more than two years imprisonment at hard
labor. For tramp to wifully or maliciously
injure person ar the property of another. he
may he imprisoned at hard labor not more
than five years. Any act of begging or va
grancy by person not a resident of the State
is evidence that the same is Il tramp The
one who views the offence NAV apprchend the
person and take him before trial Justice
The mayors Of cities and selectmen of towns
are required to appoint special constables to
arrest and prosecute all tramps in their re-
spcctve cities and towns. The act is not to
apply to females or minors under l. years
nor to blind persons.
Mr. REpLoN of Oxford. from the Commit
tee on Agriculture, on petition, reported bill
an act for the appointment of State Gcoo-
gist. and also a resolve entitled resolve re-
lating to the printing the report of the State
Geoloest Printed under rule
Mr.. II ,wEs of Cumberland, from the Com
miitee on Financial Affaits, reported reference
to the next Legislature on the petitions pray
ing that the town of Ornevillc have relief
| from its paupcr debt.
Mr.. BARKER of Penobscot from the Com
| mi nm nj |
ported leave to withdraw on petition for an
appropriation to build a bridge over Niolette
Brook, in Van Buren, Plantation, Aroostook
| county.
The following committees submitted their
final reports Mercantile Affairs. Towns, In
dian Affairs.
On motion of Mr. ViNroN of Cumberland
bill an act limiting the allowance for travel
and attendance to parties recovering costs in
the courts of the State, was taken from the ta-
Bile.
| Mr. NINTOS then submitted an amendment
striking out all after the enacting clause, and
providing there shall be no allowance for costs
for travel and attendance in any court of the
State He supported his amendment mt some
length. urging that il was not Joke but in
troduced in all seriousness, and that if the bill
was intended for "A reform measure it ought
to be made so entirely, as his amendment
would make it.
Mr.. M,pIGAS of Aroostook seconded the
ideas of Mr.. Ninton.
Senate refused to accept the amendment of
Mr.. Vnton, voting in the affirmative and 10
in the negative. The bill was then ordered
engrossed.
On motion of Mr.. ROGERS of Sagadahoc.
the salary bill was taken from the table. the
question then before the Senate being upon
| the amendment of Mr.. THOMAS of Cumber-
land. that the railroad commissioners be paid
| 50 per day for actual service, and by the rail-
roads where the services are rendered.
Mr.. ELLIS of Waldo, said that this portion
of the bill was well discussed before the
committee. He was not satisfied that the
railroad commissioners were necessary, hut
if they were. they were intended to protect
the safety of the travelling public. Such be-
ing the case it would not he safe to have them
paid hy the railroad companies. 1t was con-
trary to his observation of human nature if
there was not IA chance for them to be inhu-
enced by the railroads.
Mr.. M,DIGAN of Aroostook. heartily con-
cured with the amendment of the Senator
from Cumberland (Thomas), and thought
that it would be advantageous to the State
and the travelling public if it was adopted.
Mr. ANDREWS of York. said that for eigh-
teen years the commissioners were paid by
|
suspicion. He could not see reasons for the
fears of the Senator from Waldo (Elis).
| Mr.. PATTFN of Penobscot, said that he
| would be as willing to ride over the railroads
without commissioners as with them. He re-
called the sad accident near Bangor, few
years ago. caused by the giving way of a
bridge. one which had been examined but
three days before by the Railroad Commission
ers. He should vote for the amendment be-
cause it would save the State $500.
Mr.. RoBERrs of Waldo, seconded the re-
marks of the last speaker relative to making
a saving to the State He believed in the in
tegrity of the present board of commiss ion
ers, and that the Governor. if any vacancy
| should occur, would name men whom all
| could trust.
Mr. THOMAS of Cumberland, said that the
accident alluded to but proved that the com
missioncrs were only men. lie believed that
accidents were less when such officials exist
ell than when they did not. The accident
occasioned by the breaking of that bridge cost
the railroad thousands and thousands of dol
lars. So that the railroad companies were as
interested as other parties to have good and
careful men appointed by the State Not
only was il the duty of the commissioners to
look after the engineering department of the
roads, but other matters had to be attended
to by them. The matter of settling the ques-
ton of crossings required them to act as ref
erees, and why shouldn't the companies pay
them for their services then? Questions
relative to freight might come up, and
why shouldn't the railroads pay for their
labors then? The Senator from Waldo
(Ellis) begged the whole question and botted
out eighteen years of experience. Facts IA
vor the amendment, which, if adopted, will
| save $1,000.
The Senate then voted to adopt the amend
ment of Mr.. Thomas. Also the House amend
ments giving the Bank Examiner and the In
surance Commissioner $500 each. Also the
amendment giving the Agent of the Penob-
scot tribeof Indians $500 year.
Mr.. ATwELL of Penobscot, submitted an
amendment providing that the clerk hire in
the Adjutant Generals office should not eX-
coed $500, instead of $500 rs the bill provided.
He then addressed the Senate in support of
his amendment. He said that the idea in his
motion was no pet scheme OF his either Tor
| l.: l.; Ta hplipy p1 that the