Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-11

Fisheries.
Bv Mr.. ArwELL-Petition for the incorpor-
alton Of the Ragged Lake Dam Company
Referred to Committee on Interior Waters
HOUSE.
TUESDAY, Feb. 10th, 1850.
Speaker WEEKS in the chair.
PRAYER By Rev. Mr.. PARK of Gardiner.
Papers from the Senate disposed of in con-
currence-
communication was received from the of
fee ofthe Secretary of State transmitting the
annual report of the Attorney General tor the
wear 1879. which was referredto the Commit
tee on the Judiciary in concurrence with tho
Senate.
Bill an act to incorporate the Ocean Street
Railroad Company. passed TO be engrosseo
BY the House, came from the Senate amend
ed The amendments were adopted in concur
renee and the bill was laid on the table on
motion of Mr.. SMART of Deering.
On motion of Mr.. GILMAN of Meddybemps,
the rule limiting the time for the reception
of private legislature to yesterday, was sus-
pended for to-day.
On motion of Mr.. hickey of Fl. Kent,
Ordered, That the Committee on FEEDER
al Relations be directed to inquire into the
necessity of procuring copies of the maps OF
the survey Of the Eastern boundary of the
State and report all the facts and probable
expense.
On motion of Mr.. BRADsTREET of Bridgton,
Ordered, That the Committee on the .Iudic-
iary inquire whether and how the laws should
be amended in relation to taxation Of rail
roads.
On motion of Mr.. PARcHER of Saco,
Ordered, That the Committee on Legal At
fairs inquire into the expediency of amending
sec. % chap. 40 of the revised statutes.
On motion of Mr.. HASKELL of Turner,
Ordered, That the Committee on Legal
Affairs ascertain what legislation, if any, is
necessary for the protection of persons whose
notes are obtained by fraud.
Mr. Brooks of Belfast. presented the fol-
lowing which was referred to the Committee
on Finance.
Ordered. That the Clerk be directed to
make up the pay of w. J. Smith, Folder OF
the last House for - days at 50 per day
with the usual mileage.
On motion of the same gentleman,
Ordered, That the Committee on Finance
be instructed 10 inquire into the cxpediency
of amending the laws so as to prevent money
being drawn from any appropriation for other
purposes than that for which the appropria-
ton was made.
Mr.. SWAN of Minot presented the following
Ordered, That the opinion of the Supreme
Judicial court which is published in the 6Stt
Maine. on pages 5S1 and 5Ss, be published
with the three recent opinions which have
been ordered published by this House
Mr., SWAN: will say that do not pre-
sent this order as partisan one. but for
this reason: If we publish the three opin-
ions which have been given, and circulate
them among the people, many of them may
rely upon them as having the force of law
[ wish to have this opinion, given only a
little more than two years ago, published with
the three recent opinions, tor they all in
voive the same qestions; so whoever reads
one will read this opinion in the 65th OF
Maine. Because the opinion in that report
contradicts in some of its terms the three re-
cent opinions showing that tae opinions of the
Supreme Court change from time to time.
the same as the opinions of other men. We
are all liable to change our opinions from
time to time. And as an illustration of that
here in this House we have many of the
abest men who. one year ago believed it 10
betheir duty to give the State printing to the
lowest bidder. That was not partisan
question. One year rolls round. and they
have changed their opinions. and they vote
TO give the State printing to the highest
bidder, which only illustrates the changea.
bleness of human opinion.
Now desire 10 have this opinion of the
court in the 6Sth Maine, published in the
same book with the three recent opinions.
showing to the people of our State that these
opinions cannot be relied upon for their fu-
ture action or conduct: that they have no
sure foundation upon which to base their ac.
ton, and that the only true way to do it is
to call our town meetings, hold our cleo.
tons and make our returns in conformity ia
the Constitution and laws of the State.
and not rely upon these recent opinions as a
precedent either for negligence or care
iessiess on the part OF our municipal officers
Mr.. HALE of Ellsworth There is no oc-
casion for any gentleman being sensitive and
going back into the Maine Reports TO seek
to republish what are found in those volumes
IN the library of every lawyer in the State.
II may be thing unknown TO the gentleman
from Minot that lawyers and people seekino
the law take cognizance of what is already
found IN the Maine Reports. 1t NAV not be
known to him that the Maine Reports are n
record of the law as developed from wear IA
year by the judges of that court and that from
year to year these reports are issued and
take their places in our libraries. and
influence public sentiment and the laws
And the gentleman cannot prevent and no.
body can prevent. or should attempt TO pre-
vent the next volume of the Maine Repor,s
being like other volumes of the Maine Re-
ports record Of the law that has been made
BY theJudges. the highest court in the State
That volume will contain enunciation Of law
Of Importance, upon private rights and upon
public rights and there will be nothing in the
volume, as there has been nothing in anv
volume of the Maine Reports for a genera
tion, more important and far-reaching and
widely embracing in its scope, than the three
opinions which the Supreme Court have given
upon the great events occurring in this State.
The gentleman from Minot NAV arise here in
bis nervousness, and appear everv dav whist
ling loud TO keep his courage up. and make
complaint. and find fault with the opinions of
the Supreme Court. They are great matters.
sir. that have rassel beyond the Sc-,,;- -.