Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-01
The Work OF the Committees.

The committee on Education gave a hear
| ing yesterday afternoon on the order in favor
| of the Maine Central Institute, at Pittsfeld.
| In 1870 the State granted the Institute the
yearly benefit of the interest on $4,000, with
the pledge on the part of the State that il
certain conditions were fulfilled on the part of
the Institute, in regard to the requirement of
property, &C., then the institution should re-
ceive. ut the end of the ten years, the $40, 600
The Institute has not fulfilled these condi-
tons and yesterday DIR. Manson of Piusield
Rev. Mr.. Penney, Rev. Mr. Bean, and Judge
Williamson of Starks, advocated the order
asking for an extension of time. The com
mittec voted to grant an extention of five
years. The committee voted to reduce the per
capita school tax from 30 cents to co cents.
1t is understood, however, that another meet
ing will be held before the reduction is report
ed to the legislature.
The Judiciary committee closed up large
| amount of business on their table. They
voted to report an act to amend chap. 200 of
public laws of 1877, that counties should bear
portion of the expenses of building roads
in unincorporated places. Toreport bill to
amend sec. II of chap 1876 of revised statutes
where prisoners committed to Jail in default
of fines may be placed at labor. Leave to
withdraw reported on petition for State Board
w 1AsO pli pttAibh dohihP sStltt
ballot also, same report on petition to abol-
ish municipal court in Pennington; also, on
petition asking for act of incorporation for
the st. Lukes Cathedral. Portland as the act
could he obtained under the general law.
Leave to withdraw on petition asking that wo-
men may vote in municipal affairs A bill
will be drafted concerning tramps. bill
will be reported to punish persons guilty of
adultcrating sugar or molasses.
The committee on Fisheries had secret
session, and voted unanimously to report the
bill, known as the porgy bill, being an act 10
amend chap. GO of the public laws of 1878,
in relation to shore fisheries. 1t pro-
vidcs that the taking of mackerel,
herring, porgies or menhaden, or the fishing
therefor by the use of purse and drag seines
is prohibited in all the small bays, inlets,
harbors or rivers Of this State, where any en-
trance to the same, or any part thereof from
any land to land is not more than two miles
in width. The act of last year which goes
into effect to-day. prohibited such fishing in
bays, &C., one mile in width. This is the act
that was resisted by the mcnhaden fisher
men and supported by the shore fishermen.
The Committee on Legal Affairs are still at
work on the Rockland water case.
Onicial Visit TO the Agricultural College.
The legislative committee on Agriculture
have returned from their official visit to the
State College at orono, and while they will
recommend several changes, they are on the
whole well satisfied with the institution, and
its general management. 1t is unfortunate
that the visit was made during vacation. as
the college now cannot be seen at its best
the students all being absent. The members
of the faculty who were present, showed the
committee every possible courtesy. The
farm buildings are in most excellent condi-
ton. The committee are satisfied that 20
cows are more than is necessary to be kept on
the farm and will recommend that several
yokes of fat cattle be turned out annually
The workshops provided by the students.
met with general approval, The five dwell
ing houses are in good repair. The farm
produced last year 100 tons of hay,
and 1900 bushels If beets. Board is
afforded the students at 81. 60 per week.
1t is doubtful if the committee will approve Of
the military instruction. 1t is their opinion
that the college is worthy and deserving in
stitution and ought TO be sustained, for the
sake of the industrial classes. the sons Of
Maine farmers. The faculty are using the
money appropriated by the State, judcously
and economically and we have no doubt the
committee will vote to appropriate the mod
crate sum of So 900 asked for the present
year.