Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-01-25
THE LEGISLATURE.

On Tuesday the Legislature Of Maine
reassembled after It's second brief vaca'
ton. and attended to the duty Of electing
a United States Senator. Hon. Eugene
Hale. of Ellsworth, wa, elected in oppo-
sition 70 Hon. Joseph l.. Smith, Of Old
town. the Fusion candidate.
The various committees are now fairly
at work and petitions and orders innum-
cradle are referred every day.
Our county delegation Is doing some
good work, and the members will be
heard from often. The two Buckheld
members have something against the
railroads. Il seems that Mr.. Bisbee IN
Senate and Mr.. Brigham in the House,
have offered bills seriously affecting them.
We add the press report Of their bills, as
they are the only matters Of special inter
est 70 Oxford County people this week:
senator BiSbee. OF oxford. presented a
bin which subjects 10 taxation the land,
buildings and fixtures % railroad corpora
tons by cities and towns In which the
property Is situated II provides Tor The
payment 20 the state Treasurer Of an an
uual franchise tax upon gross tranSporta-
zion receipts. The tax shall be levied by
The Governor and Council. April 1T, Of
each year Il provides that when the av-
crage receipts per mile 30 not exceed $3.50
the tax shall pee oue-fourth % one per cent
upon gross receipts when the average
receipts per mile exceed S225O and 10 not
N.nN N.. bal
OF one per cent. upon gross receipts, and
so on increasing the tax upon gross
receipts Que fourth OF one per cent. for
each additional $50 % average gross
receipts per mile; q well a. for frac-
lions remaining amer dividing the aver
age gross receipts per mile hy $50. II
provides that wheu q railroad lies partly
within and partly without the State. or =
owned or operated IS part OF line eN-
tending beyond the state, tax shall be lev
led upon gross receipts in the state. End
the amount determined hy dividing gross
transportation OF receipts over IL whole
line. within and without the state. by the
to-J, number OF miles operated. 20 obtain
the average gross receipts per mile, and
'he gross receipts IN this State shall Dee
taken 20 Doe the average gross receipts per
mile multiplied by the number 90 miles u
railroads operated within this state. Il
provides FOR an abatement OF excessive tax
bv On. Governor and Council
Mr. Brigham. the fusion member from
Buckfylj. introduced a bin % establish
rates ot fare and freight charges by cor
poa,i1uS 10 provides that when the gross
earnings or railroads are 5000 or more
per mile. the rates shall Doe fixed 40 . 1t
cents per mile for any passenger with or
Jiuary baggage. When the gross annual
earnings are 5000 or less than $500 per
mile. the rates are fixed 40 5 cents per mile ,
when the gross auuua, earnings are less
than 5000 per mile. the rates are liked al
9 cents per mile; children twelve years OF
age or under are charged One-half OF the
foregoing rates. The gross annual earn
iusS a. prescribed by the railroad commits
>iuuer> for l>-g. shall De the basis OF rates
for fare. 4 fine OF SlU0 i imposed for
Violations of the law The oil! further
preScTibeS equal charges for Transports
tiOn OF merchandise under a penalty OF
500.