Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-03-11

f-orn TIE House amended The amendment
wa adopted and the resolve was read anu
assigned.
ON motion of Mr.. BERRY. an act IN relation
10 the Reform School was taken up. the oiii
having passed in the Senate, and indenn1eiy
postponed in the House.
Mr.. BERRY said if this bill could become
law the State would be much benebted- Al
uoyId lessen the travel to Portland. reducing
the distance one-half. This is very desirable
The State will receive for these flats. that are
eoupara,ivelv worthless. $500 in cash. and
ice for the use of the Institution every year.
Mr.. HIVES had ascertained that he was
right in his first position, objectins to the
l,iII. Gen. Thorn, who is we'll quaiined 70
Judge gives il as his opinion that the build
ing OF a dam in the position indicated wouiu
be injurious 10 the harbor of Portland. 1t
would lead to a disturbance of the tidal cur
rents. Mr.. HAYES read the letter of Gen
Thorn. He thought that should settle the
question. He hoped the bill would be inden-
nitely postponed.
Mr.. DI1GLEY had been informed that prop
erty holders near the premises Indicated
objected to the bill. II would interfere with
their indiy idaal rights.
On motion of Mr.. BRADFORD, the Senate
concurred with the House, III the indefinite
pDskpDiltliicIt Va tHc phi-
On motion of Mr.. CORNISH. bill an act to
INCORPORATE the Commercial Club of Portland,
was taken from the table. Read and as
signed
On motion of Mr.. DINGLEY. an act to
abolish the Office of Land Agent was taken
from the table. The question came uponthe
amendment of Mr.. FLINT postponins the
abolition of the Office for six months. The
amendment was adopted.
Mr.. STRICKLAND said that it would not
effect any saving TO the State should it be
transferred to the Office of the Secretary of
State: another clerk would have to be em-
ployed. There are large interests at stake
that need to be looked after, and he was IN
favor of maintaining the Office as it now Is.
He moved that the bill be indefinitely post
poned.
Mr.. FLINT agreed with the sentiments Of
the Senator from Aroostook. Under the
new bill it will take eighteen men to do the
work of one now. This is position of con-
siderable importance to a large number of
persons owning lands.
Mr. BARRIER thought we should gain moth
ing BY the abolition of the office. There are
important records which the State should
preserve. He was opposed TO the abolition
Of the office at present.
Mr. DiyGLEY said the committee on the
subject had, from the evidence before them,
reported the bill There is not much bust
ness connected with the office; and if trans
fcrred to the Office of Secretary of State, he
did not think it would require an extra clerk.
The books and papers need not be removed
from the room where they now are. In re-
gard to the transfer of certain lands, the State
has always employed local agents, and the
land agent has nothing to do with them. He
/, ,ba hill ehnulI no naSsn1 III
the important matters could be settled in six
months.
Mr.. FLINT further explained in regard to
sub-agents, and further advocated the reten
ton of the office.
Mr.. BRADFoRp said a bill passed by the
present legislature would call out a large
correspondence from the land office. The
Secretary of State is not versed in the duties
OF the office: and should it go there new
clerk would have to be employed. So with
the Treasurer's Office. The State owes du
ty 10 the purchasers of land, who have not
vet got all the information which they de-
sire
Mr.. PATTEN said that on becoming ac-
quainted with the duties of the office, he was
in favor of its continuance at present. He
thought that no saving would be effected by
closing it up. On the whole he considered it
to abolish the office.
Mr.. HARRIS said that in regard to the rec
ords of the Office, they would renal, as now
should the office be abolished. 1t is nccessa-
~ that there should be an entering wedge to
dispose of this office of Land Agent. The
remaining duties of the Office are exceeding
" small. There are about $50 deeds to be
disposed of. To pay man to attend to that
is absurd For the first few weeks there NAV
be some inconvenience, but we NAV as well
abolish the Office this year as next. The
same arguments for retaining the Office will
be used next year that we have heard for sew
eral years.
Mr.. ELLIS thought we should dispose of
this matter speedily, as the duties of the
Land Agent are increasing so rapidly that he
will have to have his salary raised or employ
an extra desk.
Mr.. DEARBORN offered an amendment, con-
timing the Office one year.
Mr.. DINGLEY was opposed to the amend
.ment. The Secretary of State can
inform himself concerning the du-
ties of the land agent just as well as a new
ly appointed officer. He believed in cutting
down the expenses. People are hanging
about here. lobbying, and grabbing every
dollar possible. They do not work hard in
the Secretary of States office. and can attend
to this matter just as well rs not. 1t is un-
just to tax the Woodworking people of the
State for the benefit of certain loafers about
the State House.
Mr.. DEARBORN said that it had gen
orally been conceded that the Office should
be extended somewhat, and he offered it for
that purpose.
The amendment of Mr. Dearborn was re-
Jected. The Senate refused to Indefinitely
postpone the bill, and passed it to be engross-
ed, with the amendment closing the Office af-
ter six months.
On motion of Mr.. DINGLEY, bill an act to
incorporate the Canton Bridge Company was
taken from the table
Mr.. DINGLEY presented an amendment to
section >, line 8. by adding after the word
''of the words. steamboats, or other
Mr.. CORNISH offered an amendment that
steamboats, in passing shall have double-ioiat-
ell smoke stacks.
Remarks were made by Messrs Barrett.
Dingley, Strickland and others and the amend
ments were rejected.
Mr.. BARRETT moved to reconsider the vote
whereby the Senate adopted the House amend
ments, and pending that motion the bill was
laid upon the table, on motion of Mr. BAR.
RETr.
On motion Mr.. DINGLEY the resolve max
ing an appropriation for the support of or |
phans at the Bangor Children's Home. was