The Portland daily press., 1881-02-12
AUGUSTA.
A Spirited Debate Over the Rock
land Division.
THE PETITIONERS FOR DIVISION
AGAIN DEFEATED.
Investigation of the Charges Against
Swan.

AUGUSTA, Feb. 1.-THE bill reported by
Mr. verrill of Portland, to amend chap. 6 of
the Statutes relating to taxes, which was
tabled in the House oday, pending its
passage to be engrossed, amends sec. IA of that
chapter by striking out the last w,rds of the
clause so that it shall read as follows;
First, All goods, wares and merchandise, all
logs, timber, boards and other lumber and all
stock in trade, including stock employed i'll
the business of any of the mechanic arts, in
any town within this state, other than where
the owners reside, shall be taxed in such
town. if the owners, their tenants, or any
person contracting under them for the build
ing of any house, shop, store or vessel, occupy
any store, shop, MILL wharf, landing or ship
yard therein.
In the House to-day the Rockland division
question was taken up by special assignment,
and debated at great length, the discussion
commencing at the close of the morning hour.
and occasioning an afternoon session which
lasted until half past six O'Clock before vote
was reached. The question was virtually
whether Ward should be severed from the
city of Rockland, and incorporated into new,
town. There was a great deal of interest
manifested in the matter, and the attendance
of spectators was large, both on the floor aud
in the galleries. 1t was probably one of the
hottest contests that will take place during
the session. square, stand up fight. The
speakers for the divisionists were Messrs Bird
of Rockland, Bradstreet of Bridgton and
Talbot of East Machias, while the anti-divi-.
sionists were represented principally by Judge
Hall of Rockland and Mr.. Strout of Portland.
The argument of Judge Hall was an able and
creditable one and seriously affected the cause
of the divisionists. Mr.. Strout also made a
clear, judicial argument which carried with it
weight. On the other side Mr.. Bradstreet pre-
sented the legal view of the matter in clear
and forcible manner, followed by an admirable
argument by Mr.. Talbot, who did himself great
credit. Mr.. Bird also did we'll. The division.
lists were beaten, mastering 58 votes to II
thrown by the anti.divisionists. The result
was received with applause. The matter now
goes to the Senate, but will not come up for
debate in that branch until next week, when
the contest will be nearly as animated as it was
in the lower branch.
On account of the lateness of the hour to
which the House adjourned this afternoon the
Insane Hospital Committee postponed their
hearing, which was to have taken place this
evening until next Tuesday afternoon at 2
o'clock, when, it is expected, large number
of witnesses will be examined.
The Committee on Interior Waters gave
hearing this afternoon to parties interested in
erecting booms across the Little Androscoggin
river, and will report favorably. A hearing
was also given on the petition for increasing
the tolls of the Baskahegan Dam Co. John
F. Robinson of Bangor appeared for the petit
tioners, and H. NJ Prentiss of Bangor for the
remonstrants. Tabled for decision. A hear
ing was also given on the petition for amend
ment of the charter of the Bangor Boom Co.
SO that tolls for booming and rafting logs shall
be reduced. Orville D. Baker of Augusta and
Chas. P. Stetson of Bangor appeared for the
petitioners, and VIM. H. McCrillis of Bangor
for the remonstrants. The hearing was post
poned until tomorrow morning.
The Fishery Committee will give an inn
portant hearing on Tuesday next on the petit
ton to prohibit the taking of mackerel with
seines and making change in the lobster
law. The hearing will commence at o'clock
p. m.
The Governors reception and legislative
party has been placed in the hands of COM
petent committee and no efforts will be spared
to mako the affair brilliant success.
A bill was reported in the Senate increasing
the amount appropriated for clerk hire in the
Secretary of States Office from $1,000 to
$500.
The committee to investigate the charges
of Thomas B. Swan, member of the House
from Minot, met tonight.
VIM. 81. Bigelow of Augusta, post Office in
spector,g gave lengthy testimony before the COM
mittee. giving the details of the swindle which
have already been widely published, and ex-
hibiting the circulars, bogus machines, &c.,
sent out by Swan. The following funny letter
from one of the victims was read to the COM
mittee:
ANDovER, Mass, Feb. Z.
Eastern Manufacturing Company:
Your corn shelter has come, but no gear.
I have heard that wooden nutmegs were
made in Maine l think you had better send
me some to go with this machine. I think
your company must all be Democrats, for 1
don't think there are Republicans mean
enough to be in such mean business. If there
is one tell him to do as Judas did or put him
self to death as soon as he can, for we don't
want one Of our party in so mean business I
VI
civilized community.
[Signed] r. e. EDsoN
Samuel M. Bradley of Mechanic Falls, AS
sistant Postmaster at that place, testified as to
Swans transactions at the post office there.
Swan had taken out all the letters addressed
to the Eastern Manufacturing Co. He had as
sisted Swan in November for some time,
backing envelopes They were sent to parties
in New Hampshire. Swan had shown him
diagram of what he said he was going to send
out as corn-sheller, and he supposed it was to
be good article as represented. Mr.. Bradley
produced the post Office records of money
orders and registered letters showing that
Swan had receipted for all the letters directed
to the Eastern Manufacturing Co. Swan had
always apparently, up to this time, been hon
est in his business transactions. Swan always
had more or less companies attached to his
name. He had suspicion of Swan before Mr..
Bigelow had began to operate. From the first
of January to the time his business was inter-
rupted Mr.. Swan had received four registered
letters.