The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-01-29
THE LEGISLATURE.
Several Constitutional Amendments Pro-
posed-The Fusion Messenger Refused
Pay-Two Fusion Members Take Their
Seats.
Especial Despatch to the Press.l


AUGUSTA. JAM 28.-In the Senate the judi
ciary committee were ordered to inquire as to
amending the Constitution by abolishing the
Council, and providing for the election OF an
auditor and the constitutional heads of depart
ments as advisors of the Governor; also as
to amending chap. 6, sec. 40, of the Revised
Statutes, so that poll tax shall not exceed 50;
also as to amending the law in relation to
promissory notes, so that innocent parties may
be better protected when said notes are pro-
cured by fraud.
The Senate refused to pay the messenger of
the Fusion Senate.
Mr.. Cutler of Bangor, presented in the
House bill to give the Bangor & Piscataquis
Railroad Co. further time OF three years
from Jan. 81, 1880, in which to complete their
line of road to Moosehead Lake, which was re-
ferred to the railroad committee
Secretary Chadbourne laid before the Legis-
lature a schedule of the several cities, towns
and plantations of the state, showing what as
SCISSORS have made valuation returns in full and
what have made no returns. By this schedule
it appears that abstracts of returns have been
received from 375 towns, with 125 not heard
from. The Secretary of State has been order
ed to notify delinquent towns. to report al
once.
| Mr.. Strout of Portland, from the Judiciary
| Committee, reported the following bill, which
was tabled to be printed:
| An act in relation to state officers.
| Be 1T enacted, &C..
SEC. Whoever shall knowingly and false
| ly assume to be any state officer of Fthe State
Of Moi1, o1,6 To oot c f,r
ly and falsely assume to discharge any OF the
| duties of any such officer, or shall knowingly
| and wifully invite or receive any communities
| ton, document, record or letter purposely. be
| longing to any such state officer, or otf1cla
| business of said officer, shall in any way
knowingly and wilfully obstruct or delay any
| such officer in the discharge of his official du
ties, shall be punished by imprisonment moi
| less than one nor more than five years, and by
| fine not exceeding $1,000.
Sec. 2-This act shall take effect when APP
| proved.
| Mr.. Springer of Yarmouth introduced al
order of inquiry looking to the abolition Of the
study of Greek and Latin in High Schools. He
remarked that this did not contemplate an at
tack ON the present system, but simply to al
low those who had objections to it to have thu
| privilege of being heard before the committee
on education.
The Judiciary Committee reported the
amendatory bill to incorporate the Rumford
Falls and Buckfeld Railroad Co., and it was
read twice in the House.
| Mr. Hutchinson of Lewiston introduced a
| resolve requesting the Governor to appoint a
| commission consisting Of five officers of the
active and reserve militia to revise, amend OF
add to the militia law, as they in their judg
I tOf tI,k
state, and report to the present legislature
| forthwith. The resolve was read once and UNI
der suspension of the rules assigned for tomor
| row.
| Mr.. Verril of Portland, from the committee
on legal affairs, reported in the House al
amendatory bill providing that when holi
day falls on Sunday, and that Sunday is the
second day Of grace in the payment Of COM
mercial paper, four days of grace shall be al
| lowed Ordered printed.