Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-17
HOUSE,.
MONDAY. February lG

MONDAY. February 10.
In the absence of the Speaker the House
was called to order by the Clerk, Oramandal
! Smith, Esq.
On motion of Mr.. Mason of Limerick.
| Ordered, That in the absence of the Speak
or, Hon. s. G.. Hatch of Bangor be Speaker
pro tenn.
Mr.. Hatch was conducted to the chair by
Mr.. Mason and addressed the House as fol-
! lows
GENTLEMEN OF THE House.
thank YOU for the honor YOU have con-
ferred upon me: and during the brief time
that occupy the chair will ent,cavor to dis
charge its dutie. impartially.
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. (iROvENoE of HALO
we'll.
Papers from the Senate disposed of in con-
currence.
Report of Committee on Finance reporting
legislation inexpedient on order relating to
milage of members of the legislature came
from the Senate and pending concurrence
the report was laid on the table on motion of
Mr.. Hill of Exeter.
The Clerk was charged with and conveyed
message to the Senate informing that body
of the election of Hon. S. c. Hatch as Speak
er pro tenn.
On motion of Mr.. HALE of Ellsworth.
Ordered, That the Committee on the Ju-
dietary be directed to examine into and re-
port to this legislature as to what change is
needed to be made so that railroad and other
corporations of the State may be made to
bear their proper share of the burden of tax
alton.
On motion of Mr.. ROUSpY of Benton,
Ordered. That the Committee on Interior
Waters be requested to inquire into the ex-
pediency of legislation charging the build
ing support of bridges on all rivers within the
several counties to such counties instead of
the towns as now provided bv law.
On motion of Mr.. MckUsIcK of Calais,
Ordered, That the Judiciary Committee be
directed to inquire into the expediency Of
changing the law in reference to the jurisdic-
ton of justices of the peace and quorum.
Mr.. BRADsTREEr from the judiciary Com
mittee on petition reported bill an act to
make valid the doings of the Wells Mutual
Fire Insurance Company. Read and as
signed
ting lots in Township II Range was read
once and laid on the table on motion of Mr..
HILL of Exeter
On motion of Mr.. CUTLER of Bangor. bill
an act to incorporate the St. Xavier School and
Asylum was taken from the table and passed
to be engrossei.
On motion Of Mr. SPRINGER of Yarmouth
bill an act to amend sec chan. IL of the re-
vised statutes authorizing the consolidation
OF schools in certain cases was taken from
the table. the question being on its passage
TO be engrossed
Mr.. HALE of Ellsworth, remarked that the
OIL appeared to be an important one and in
quired if it had been reported unanimously
from the committee.
Mr.. SPRINGER of Yarmouth, understood
that It was to be reported unanimously. and
that the motion TO table was because Of the
absence of member of the committee but
now present.
Mr.. HOWARD of Montviile presumed he
was the gentleman on the committee referred
TO. He had said in committee that he sbopld
make no objection to the bill and he said al
now; for the bill was simply an experiment. |
IL gives country towns an opportunity. il they
desire, to consolidate certain school districts.
tie was free to saw that he had some Doubt
ABOUT the practical working of such Law. |
bat he was willing to have the ex,er;ment
tried if thought desirable.
MIR. HALE said he was not antaponis.;c IN !
the bill but he saw that il seemed to be an |
innovation and he wanted 10 know something
about it.
Mr. HILL of Exeter, said the committee at |
hrst had looked upon the measure as an ex.
pertinent. and it was regarded BY nearly all |
Of them with some distrust. It was discussed |
and unanimously reported, with the excep-
ton, perhaps Of the gentleman from Mont |
Vile The rest of the committee regarded it |
as IN the interests of the small school dis
fricts. the scholars of which are growing less /
every year. Many districts have but or 4
scholars, Some 200 districts in the State
AVERAGE less than 10 scholars. These small
districts get. and must have. more than their
Just proportion according to their number Of
scholars. This bill would obviate thar diff. /
ncuity, by taking the or 4 scholars from
the small districts and transporting them to |
an adjoining district where they can get the
oeneht Of three or four times q much school.
ing Is before. 1t vas only IN experiment