The Portland daily press., 1879-01-24
BY TELEGRAPH,
The Mass Temperance Covention.
The Druggist Bill to be Reported
FavOrabIy.
Convention OF Editors and Publishers.
Important Railroad Legislation Pro.
posed.
Especial to the Press.1
AT THE CAPITAL.

Important RaiirOad Legislation Pro.
posed.
Especial to the Press.l
AUGUSTA, Jan. %.
A motion came before the Committee on railroads
yesterday that will be likely to make slight stir in
railroad ters. The bill introduced few days ago
by MrIngraham of Portland relative to the votes of
stockholders, provides that at all meetings Of rail-
roa1 companies each stockhoder shall be entitled to
vote in proportion to the number of shares held as
follows: One vote for each share up to ten, and one
vote for each five shares additional up to 1Oo then
vote for every ten additional shares not exceed
ing in all 100 votes to any one person. Shares of
stock owned by any foreign railroad company or
held by any trustee for SUCH corporation shall in no
case be entieled to vote This act not to apply to
shares held by towns and cities.
MIR. Lewis Pierce, Esq of Portland, who drew the
bill appeared before the committee arguing in favor
of this similar bill in the interest of small STOCK
holders to protect them against Foreign cor poralions
and to protect the property and business interests of
the state as well to protect our principal line of
road in Maine from wreck.
The committee deem 1t too important matter to
decide hurriedy and without tull hearing, and will
give public notice of hearing the matter to take
place one week from yesterday. ~
The Mass Temperance Convention.
Iuc Wdcs toupctdLCo COuV6ullOu continued IN this
city today. society was formed called the "Maine
State Temperance Society" and a constitution gov
erning the same adopted. 1t is to hold regular an.
nua sessions at the State Capital. Joshua Nye of
Augusta was chosen President, L. W. Starbird of
East Dixmont Secretary D. W. LeLacheur, Bidde-
ford, Treasurer.
An address was issued by the convention to the
Christian churches of the United States citing the
interest the churches have felt the great cause of
temperance that it is topic second in importance to
none other, that the word of God and all good men
pronounce against it, and calling upon the church
with a membership of over eleven millions and a
ministry Of S3 900 to arouse to the work OF temper
ance.
In the afternoon GOV. Garcelon who had been
chosen President made speech in favor of not only
doing away with alcoholic liquors hrt
Jooacco oIner pracrices that lead directly to the
use of drinks. The Governor was received with en-
thusiasm but account of business was obliged to
withdraw from the convention at the close of his re-
marks.
The resolutions adopted return sincere thanks TO
God for the progress made in the cause; express
firm conviction Of the righteousness of the principle
of prohibition; assert that scientific investigation has
proved that alcohol is not essential even as medi-
cne recognizing the evil of liquor agencies say that
while many druggists are honorable men they should
not have special privileges in the sale of intoxicating
liquors; express opposition to the wholesale trans
portatioa of liquors into state by pubic carriers,
railroads. &c.; calling for legislative enactment on
the same; stimulate temperance organizations to
action; call for the education Of TEN.
perance principles in the children and
YOUTH und ask parents guardians and teachers to do
their duty in this respec call for the use Of temper
auce text books in our schools, and call upon Con-
gress by constitutional amendment to forever prohibit
the importation, manufacture and sale of alcoholic
drinks.
The convention closed with grand mass meeting
In the evening.
Committee Reports.
The special committee on temperance voted to re-
port the druggists bill, the vote standing7 to2.
The matter of changing the city of Halowell to
'wn government will be lefs to the people of that
,ity to decide.
Bill to establish a municipal court in Eastport
will be reported in new draft.
Legislation inexpedient will be reported reduc-
ng the value Of personal property exempt from at
;achment.