The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-01-30
THE LEGISLATURE.

WIonUy NINE huS1OnlSUS rake I1Su D0dIS
SENATE.
The following Fusion members appeared,
were cordially received and took their seats at
the Senatorial board:
Messrs. Strickland of Aroostook Barker,
Rogers, Patten and Atwell of Penobscot, Ran
kins OF Oxford, and Linn of Somerset
Mr.. Patten of Penobscot rose to question of
privilege. He stated that his object was to
explain his action during this heated
controversy, which was brought to fnality
by the action of the court, which, right or
wrong, all good citizens are bound to obey. 81
had supposed" he said, "that I could read and
understand plain provision of the constitu-
ton and constitutional law, and intended that
my every action should be in accordance there
with, and in accordance, too, with the facts of
all precedents long established by preceding
legislatures in their organizations. | had
thought that former decisions and former opin-
ions of the court, and the practice OF all legls-
tive bodies heretofore, was a guarantee and
might be an honorable guide for US in this year
of our Lord 1880, but it seems that l, with my
colleagues, were mistaken, have been m1sguld-
ed and betrayed iuto an error by these long
and, as we believe, well established usages,
customs and presidents. But, Mr.. President,
it is even SO, for the court of today says SO, and
now and here, in my place in this Senate.
may say that intend to go no further IN this
controversy but to attend to the business be-
fore us with all possible despatch, and if the
people have anything to say in the matter they
will attend to it next September at the ballot
box.
Mr.. Atwell of Penobscot also said:
rise to q question of =priyilege--I tad nay
self this morning in somewhat anomalous
position. While feel it my duty to my con-
ctitu 10 To Rn nv caat of orA CT
know that large majority of the constituency
that elected me, which represent something
more than one-half of Penobscot county would
say "come home" And that the position I
take today may not be misrepresented or mis-
understood, make few remarks at this time.
I have said that felt it my duty to take seat
as Senator from Penobscot county without re-
gard to the criticisms made from outside
standpoint. have today in my drawer mat
tiers CT vital Importance to my constituency,
which must come before your honorable body
at this session of the Legislature; largely be-
fore the Committee on Interior Waters, on
which committee [ have had the honor of
serving all my legislative life. And have
other matters of, l may say, vital Importance
to my constituency coming before the military
committee, committee on valuation and agri-
cultural committee. Now arises the question
as to who is the best judge of my duty at this
time, my constituency or myself? | answer,
Mr.. President, that knowing better than they
the duties that lie before me, am, most as
suredly. And while 1 deeply deplore the al
Tentative in which l am placed, still feel my
duty plain and clear as ever have any public
act Of my whole life, and if my action at the
present time does not meet their appreciation,
believe that within three months from this
hour, looking at the matter calmly and diSpaS-
sionately, they will at least give me the credit
of acting honestly and fairly in the premises,
and doing what 1 presumed was right and Just
to my constituency in old Penobscot, feeling
assured however ill any portion of them may
think with regard to the position take today,
that time will right the wrong. not only in my
own case--for to err is human-but also with
regard to all matters pertaining to the organi-
zation of the Legislature of 1850, and with
my constituency leave my record for good or
evil, either in the past, present or future.
The committee on fisheries was directed to
inquire into the expediency of abolishing the
Office Of Commissioner of Fisheries.
The committee on education was directed to
inquire as to adopting uniformity OF text
books throughout all the schools of the State.
A bill was presented and referred, providing
for the repeal of portion of sec. 70, chap of
the Revised Statutes, SO that full lists of votes
and voters in plantations, made up in open
town meeting, be returned to the Office of the
Secretary of State.
A large number of petitions were presented.
Mr.. Hatch of Bangor offered the following,
which was referred:
Whereas, 1t is of the highest importance
in establishing the state valuation for
the next decade, as a basis of taxation that
there shall be a full, just and equal valuation
of all property in the state, and to prepare
such valuation more time and thought
should be given to the subject than it is posi-
BILE for legislative committee to give during
the session of the Legislature; therefore
Ordered That the committee on the judi
ciary inquire into the legality of taking as a
basis of state taxation for the ensuing year
the valuation of the state as now established.
Said committee are further requested to exam
inc the acts and resolves of 1879 relating to the
state valuation and report what changes or
additions if any, are necessary should the
present state valuation be taken as a basis OF
taxation for 1880, and report by bill or other
wise.
Mr.. Hatch OF Bangor presented petition
from that city for an amendment of charter
and water acts, which was rererred to the Ju-
dietary. The amendment provides for the
election of assessors for one, two and three
years filling the vacancies each year; and also
to allow the town of Brewer to take water
from Bangor.
A petition was presented asking that Daniel
FL. Owen of Sherman, Geo. P. Sewall of Old |
town and some dozen others, be incorporated |
into body polite aid corporate forever under
the name of "The Penobscot Valley Garsedh |
Bards and State of Maine Branch of Draidic |
University of America" for the purpose of |
literature, art science, medicine, |
philosophy and other branches of knowledge |
and industry, according to the graded and
seven years curriculum of the Bards.
Mr. Strout of Portland presented bill to
amend the statutes relating to removal Of elec
tors from one ward to another, which provides
that in all cities having more than one thou
sand legal voters therein shall have their time
Of residence extended from thirty to sixty
days. Mr.. Strout said:
1t will be perceived that this act which has
been introduced is substantially the provisions
of the Revised Statutes as it now stands, with
the exception of extending the time
of residence in O ward from 80 to 60 days.
The time Of residence which voter is re
auirsd to have in town is three months. The
time of thirty days Is so short that it opens the
door for fraud, and persons may merely for the
purpose of voting, and no other, shift about