Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-25
HOUSE.
TUESDAY, Feb. Path,

Speaker WEEKS in the chair.
PRAYER BY Rev. Mr.. GUNNER OF BoWdoin-
ham.
Papers from the Senate disposed fin con-
currence.
On motion of Mr.. BUTLER of vassalboro,
Ordered, That the opinions of the justices
of the Supreme Judicial Court printed for
the use of this House be delivered to the
Clerk of the House and that they be distriou-
ted for rata.
On motion of Mr.. SPRINGER Of Var
mouth,
Ordered, That the Committee ON Legal
Affairs inquire whether any further legisla-
ture is required relating to actions in behalf
of the State.
On motion of Mr.. FARRELL of Van Buren,,
Ordered, That the State Librarian be in
structed to furnish to this House 80 copies OF
the acts and resolves Of 1879, and the same
be delivered to members who have received
none.
On motion of Mr.. LEWIS of Springfield,
Ordered, That on and after the 25th inst,
this House hold two sessions each day until
otherwise ordered.
On motion of Mr.. HiLLs Of Union,
Ordered, that the Committee on Business
of the House be and are hereby requested ON
Tuesday next and each alternate day after
wards to prepare and have printed calendar
which shall give statement of all matters
before the House, and the status of each
question. -
Mr.. Goss of Bath presented the following
Ordered, That the Committee on Com
merce be instructed to draw up resolutions
for the consideration of this legislature in
their efforts to have the suspension bridge
connecting the cities of New York and
Brooklyn placed at such q height that it
shall not obstruct the navigation of East
river. by our largest ships, or subjecting
them to the expense of striking their top
mast.
Mr.. Speaker-The people of this State can
not be indifferent to any legislation affecting
our shipping interest. AS was stated (when
the order was offered in this House relating
to compulsory pilotage) our citizens on the
long line Of sea coast, are largely interested
in commerce, and no State has deeper in
terest in this subject than the State of Maine.
There are onerous burdens placed upon our
shipping bv local legislation in other States,
and which is contrary to the spirit Of the
constitution, and is hard to be borne in the
present depressed state Of the freight market
And this legislation is too often in the inter-
est of privileged class who prey upon ship
ping. Our members in Congress, whenever
any instruction have been sent to them by
our State legislature, relating to this great
national interest, have been prompt to bring
the subject before Congress, and have been
able to secure. in most cases. favorable leg
islation. Now. it is well known to the men,
bers Of this House, that a suspension bridge
is being built across East River. connecting
New York and BROOKLYN. The span of this
bridge which is already completed, snd from
which ia to be suspended a roadway is so
low that ships have to strike their top-gallant
masts. at an expense Of some s4O Or $50 and
when the rOadwayis completed it will he so low
that all ships willhavetO strike their top masts.
Our navy yard is situated above the bridge
and If they take the usual passage to sea.
via Sandy Hook. are obliged to pass under
the bridge, and they cannot send up their top
masts until they pass the obstruction. Now.
in addition to the expense of some $50 to
ships striking their topmasts they are liable
to to be detained several days in the whites
season when the rigging is frozen, and
would often times 60 to sea with their rigging
half set up and thereby endanger the safety of
the ship and crew. Ny attention was called
to this by some Of our most prominent shin
owners, and theysequestcd me to bring the
subject to the attention sfthis House that it
might be brought to the attention of Congress.
Now Congress appropriates annually several
million dollars to clear away obstructions tn
commerce. and here in the city of New York
IS being erected q barrier which If il VA. a
Z natural one would be removed At any cost.
The people not only Of this State, but of ali
the States in the Union have an interest in
having this obstruction removed. It only
wants the attention Of the people of thi,
country to be called to this question to re.
ceive their protest against any farther pro-
ceeding that shall retard or impede the navi-
CATION of East River
The order then received passage.
Mr.. GILMAN. from the Committee ON Fish
eries ana tame, reported leave to withdraw on
petialon OF Z. .. kilbOurn and F.. A. Gibbs
for extension Of time prohibiting the taxing
Of fish from Otter pond; also made the M M.
report on petition Of Joshua Pettegrcw ct m.
for exemption under the fishery laws.
Mr.. DAVIS, from the Committee on Aur;.-
culture, on petition to set OF Lincolnville To
the Knox agricultural Society, reported hill
an act relating to the town Of Lincolnville
Read and assigned.
biii An act to incorporate the National Roll
Telephone Co. Of the State of Maine 90.
read the third time, amended on motion ~
Mr. CurLrR Of Bangor. SO that the c.n;,.i
stock shall not exceed one million doI!.r.
ana 'aid on the table on motion of Mr.. Jrw.
EFT of Richmond.
biii an act to incorporate the Canton
nridse Company and bill an act to aboliah
,ne ianc ounce, came up on their passare IN
BE engrossed, were read the third time .n5
laid on the table on motion Of Mr.. D,crrx
of Fort Kent. A'icAkf
Bill an act to amend sections l, 2 and Of
us,al. - OF the revised statutes, relating to
mortgages OF perscnal property, va. read the
third time and laid on the table ON motion ~
Mr.. HILLS Of Union. o" VI
BIZ an act to incorporate the Penoh..o.
valley Gorsedh of Bards and State ~ No."
Branch Of the Druidic University Of Amer;c.
came up on its passage to be encros.e,i ~
SrRorr Of Portland. :" ar.
Hesotve providing for the purcha., ~ soo
cop'es OF Hopkins Digest a. Majpe report. -
~ nrst reading. on
y postpone. y ln0ennise-
=. sraos. = fosaaad sa,d v.ry -