Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-03-18

RYidSe to. an act 10 dtxiCt0 49, -
Of the revised statutes relating to the taxa
rioa Of capital stock of toll bridges; an &C,
70 amend sec. 40, chap. % Of the revised
statutes relating to the sale Of infoxieasins
liquors
FINALLY Passed.
Resolve in favor Of the joint Standing
Committee on Agriculture: resolve iniasoI
of Edmund d. Wiggin. resolve IN fasor Oh
,ha Jo,n, Standing Committee on Education;
resolve in favor of Ira L. Mcfarland and
Charles c. Cousins of Eden; resolve IN IA
yor of the Dexter Savings Bank; resolve max
ing an appropriation for the Military Asylum
at Bath: resolve concerning the State Libra
ry-
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Papers from the Senate disposed OF in con-
eurrence-
Mr.. YouxG from the Committee on FL
nance REPORTED bill an act TO provide in part
for the expenditures Of government amount-
ing 10 SoO4 1851 Printed under rule.
Mr.. RIcHARps from the same committee
on order. reported bill an act to tax express
companies three-fourths of one per cent. on
their gross earnings. Printed under rule
Mr.. Brooks presented bill an act to au-
thorize the treasurer of State toprocure a
loan of S307 200 which was referred TO the
Committee on Finance.
Mr.. Books from Committee on Finance,
on order. reported bill an act to tax tele-
graph companies two per cent. on Their
stock. Printed under rule.
Mr. STRorr called up bill an act to amend
chap. a of the public laws of 1878. entitled
an act in relation TO the insolvent laws of
Maine.
Mr.. STRorT said it had been thought just
A. ..o.,;,racts Sc ahlv rssprcsouted hy the
gentleman from Wiscasset Mr.. ingalls, that
this matter should be brought before the
House in its present form, and be explained
fully and fairly That had been done, and 1t
| had called out an expression of opposition
which very clearly indicated that it was the
Judgment of the House that there was dan
| ger that it might be considered step taken
| in the direction of reputation by the State.
With the consent and approval of the gentle
man from Wiscasset he withdrew the bill.
Mr.. PARKER of Lewiston inquired if the
bill could be withdrawn without the consent
Of the House. and the Speaker ruled that it
| could not.
Mr.. PARKER of Lewiston Il suppose the
vote desire might as well come on the ques
ton of the withdrawal of the bill as upon in
definite postponement. My purpose is
| to have vote of this House upon
this question. l want to make record.
| 1t has already gone out to the world that
a bill has been reported by the Judiciary
Committee, which if enated, will in the Opin-
| ion of the best legal minds, be an act of re-
pudiation. The fact that it comes from that
committee ostensibly by unanimous vote,
and seriously considered by this House gives
| it character, which if not emplratically vot-
ed down, will impair the credit of the towns
of this State. hope this House will here
and now, by a unanimous vote, put its foot
upon this and all other measures that have
| the least faint of reputation. Let us put on
record. that the State of Maine, whose credit
has hitherto been of the very best, will hold
every municipality within her borders, to the
strict fulillment of all their obligations to
the very letter and to the last cent.
| Our sympathy for the unfortunate town of
| Wiscasset. (andi it is great, is one thing, and
the credit of the State is another. Let us
| have a vote on this question, and if / do not
mistake the temper of this House, the vote
will be no uncertain sound, but will be such
a vote as will declare to the world that Maine
will never allow her record to be furnished
with even suspicion of reputation.
Mr.. BUTLER OF, Vassalboro said he should OBJ
ject to the course indicated by the gentleman
from Lewiston if it was to be understood as a
condemnation of the position some had taken.
mean it, it would be rebuke to those who
had advocated the bill. Ifthe House wished
| to vote upon the merits of tine measure that
was one thing. If it wished to pronounce
unanimous condemnation of the bill and of
those who had advocated it. that was anOth-
err. In regard to the bill, he sad there
were no precedents for it; but he was sure
that underlying it is principle which the
| legislature will some day be called upon to
recognize and apply. The right and duty of
the law-making power is recognized to ex-
tend relief to individuals, and he prophesied
that before the towns in the State of Maine
are relieved from the embarrassment now up
on them. the State would be called upon to
confront and settle the question that was be-
ing forced upon the attention of the House
in the case Of Wiscasset. 1t was just in the
abstract to say each town should be
held to its liabilities and promises to the
| last cent, as in the case of an individual.
| But in holding them to meet their liabilities
or to attempt it to the last cent, they would
be driven to utter bankruptcy and ruin. The
law-making power would have to pause be-
| fore that contamination.
Mr.. VERRILL of Portland suggested that
withdrawal of the bill required the unani-
nous consent of the House, and if no one
| objected to its withdrawal, it would be an
expression III regard 10 the measure.
Mr.. PARKER thereupon withdrew his objec-
ton.
Mr.. HILLS of Union presented the follow
ing:
Ordered, The Senate concurring that this
Legislature adjourn finally at O'Clock
Thursday p. NJ. next
On motion of Mr.. BUTLER of Vassalboro'
the order was amended fixing the time on
Friday at 12 o'clock.
The order was then laid on the table.
On motion of Mr.. DIcKEY of Fl. Kent the
House voted not to hold an evening session.
On motion of Mr.. HUTCHINSON the House
Adjourned.
PASSED TO BE ENGRossED.
Under suspension Of rule Resolve ap-
propriating $4,000 for the State prison; an
act relating to seizures on executions; an act
to amend chap. 81 of the revised statutes an
act relating to telephone companies; an act
to amend chap los Of the public laws of
1879. relating to ways; an act to change the
name of the Bath Driving Park; resolve in
favor of the Joint Special Committee on Loss
of State Seal; resolve in favor of William
Stewart of Topsfield; resolve in favor of the
Secretary of the Senate.
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
An act to repeal an act approved March 9,