The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-02-15
BY TELEGRAPH.
AT THE CAPITAL.
The Proposed Amendment Re.
garding Discount on Taxes.
The Committee will Report
Against 1t,
AT THE CAPITAL.


Against 1t,
AUGUSTA, Feb. 1.-THE Judiciary Committee had
protracted hearing to-day of the mayors and other
authorities of several cities in opposition to the pro-
posed amendment Of chapter 6 Of the Revised
Statutes The amendment proposes to do away with
the authority now given towns and cities to make
discount on taxes paid within specific time. The
committee will make about the same as unani.
nous report that the bill ought not to pass.
The following gentlemen appeared before the COM
mttee: Mayor Hamln, G. P. Stetson, Esq, John
L. Crosby Treasurer, and Hon. S. G. Hatch OF Ban
ger; Mayor Butler, H. W. Hersey, Treasurer, Hon.
N. Webb of Portland; Mayor Nash OF Augusta, A.
M. Jones, ESQ.,, Representative from Lewiston; Hon.
B. F. Hamilton and Geo. R. Andrews, Treasurer, of
Biddeford, and E. G. Hyde, Treasurer of Bath.
SENATE.
Resolve ia Favor Of Reducing U. s. OFF,
GERS acknowledgements TO Devote the
Mill Fax to the Payment of the Public
Debt.
Especial to the Press]
AUGUSTA, Feb. II.
Morrison presented bill to amend chap. 80 of the
private and special laws of 1878. Referred to the
judiciary committee.
Committees reported-Bl in new draft relating to
mills and mill dams bill to amend sec 10, chap IT,
OF the Revised Statutes providing that the expense
Of District courts shall be paid by the state bill to
amend the charter of the Kennebec Log Driving Co.;
bill to abolish the board of overseers Of the poor of
Lewiston resolve in favor of Maine State Prison for
$4,000; Childrens Home of Bangor, $685. st. Eliza
beth Asylum, Portland, 5000; Female Orphan Asy-
lum, Portland, $500; uniforming militia, $l0,5OO;
80 II.
$4,000, expense of visit to prison.
Adverse reports were made on bill authorizing
Lake Auburn Mineral Spring Company to navigate
Wilson's Pond; on petition of G. W. Howard for ex-
tension of time to dredge and navigate Rangely lake.
on order proposing amendment of the constitu-
ton reducing the number of Senators and Represen-
tatives; and order relating to enlargng the pine
tree in the state seal.
Senator Ellis presented resolve relating to ma
tonal matters looking to the reduction of the salary
OF President to $25OO0 of members of Congress to
$780, and the salaries of other officers in proportion
SO as to conform with the general depression of bust
ness and the increased purchasing power of the dol
l lar.
The bill relating to lime rock and slate passed in
the Senate, came from the House recommitted, and
was tabled.
The bill relating to fees In certain cases was also
l tabled.
Senator Rogers, from the finance committee, PIT
sented bill to divert the mill tax from the schools
the payment Of the expenses of the state and sub
mitted some remarks and statements in favor of the
i act.
He said the report Of the Treasurer of State shows
the outstanding bonds of the state, at per cent.
amount TO- S5, 849, 600. 90
Iruse ruuos. Szl,36o.4O
Total indebtedness. ............ $s.772, 1855 40
SINKING fand ,ss545
Arus1 funu. ''''''''''...''..'.',"''. Zl9,3OD.0o
S1,252,2s5 As
Leaving the net Indebtedness. ... $3.50, 1863 s5
The disbursements last year were:
Eor interest 04l 90
4 Eor scuoolS 40 luZ.4O
ror otner expenses. ....,............ 5O.36
$1,167, s96.76
Showing that the amount paid for running expens-
es of the tae 81 per cent. less than the amount
paid for Schools and that the report Of the Superin
tendent of Schools shows that 100000 of school funds
are undrawn. The necessities of the state require
that some portions of the monies raised shall be d.
verted from the purposes heretofore used that the
taxation be increased to meet the conditions of the
finances of the state, and Mr.. Rogers thought this
can be done for year or without materially
damaging the schools. Mr.. Rogers quoted from the
state constitution to show that the state could raise
no more funds by issuing bonds for general purposes
claiming that the liabilities of the state on account
of the trust funds in the nature of a loan andal
ready exceeded the constitutional limit and refsred
to the decision Of the court to sustain the potion
1t Is serious question how the deficit is toe met,
and he thinks the diversion of the mill tax.he most
feasible way out OF the difficulty.
HOUSE.
The POrgy Bill Passed-The free High
School Act Suspended for Year.
Inc resolve to pay the Committee on Reform
ocnool their expenses $2a in visiting that institu-
lion to come from the senate pas,e 60 be engrossed.
MI. Dana moved to suspend the rules and pass
the resolve.
Mr. Ilckard opposed and commenced a charac-
'eristlc speech, whereupon Mr. Dana, probably to
reheVe the House from the dscordant croaking of
'ne bangor raven, Withdrew his motion and the
resolve went over.
Aeporg OF legislation inexpedient from the
committee ON amendment to the constitution that a
plurality OF votes shall elect the governor came
down accepted by the Senate,
MI. harrington moved to recommit with instruc,
ons TO report resolve in favor of the constitutional
amendment. Tabled on motion Of Mr.. Wilson, |
report OF the same committee on order looking to
abolshing the Executive Council was legislation in
expedient.
MIR. Wallace of Belfast moved to table that he |
might present minority report. |
Committee on railroads. manufacture and Conn.,
merce, made final reports
Committee on education reported bill to red uce |
the per capita tax from 80 10 60 cents. Tabled.
Act additional to act to incorporate the Kenne-
bee Agricultural Society, includes Augusta with. |
IN the limits of the Societv WAC renortad
Act with regard to building a bridge across the
St. John river at Van Buren,, was read twice. and
tomorrow assigned.
Act relating to lien claims was ordered printed.
The committee on agriculture reported
eference to the Governor aad Council, on order
ooking to a change in the course of study at the
Agricultural College.
Act relating to recording devises Of real estate was
aoled ana ordered printed.
ACT relating to the duties of clerks registers and
ecorders OF the several courts in the State was
aoled and ordered printed; provides that these
ncers shall not act as counsel in any case coming
eiore their respective conrts.
relating to the bondholders vt the Portland g.
A.. Railroad, was tabled and ordered printed
el,t;na an.enu oAo pter 6 of the Revised Statutes
o.a'ns 70 taxes, was tabled to be printed.
nesoiVe IN favor of the town OF G ration WOO rood
nd tomorrow ASSIGNED wac AGO"
Same WIN Dill an act to amend chapter 1872 of the
eVlsed statutes relating to magistr ates.
same with Dill giving county commissioner |
rlsdlcton over the repairs of WAYS
Acs relating to towns voting on loans was t.b,ed
/ motion Of Mr.. Boynton
Act relating to fees of trial justices, was read and
signed. "A anu
Also act relating to taking togge in Great Trunk
ream. AiunA