Daily Kennebec journal., 1881-02-04
THE COMMITTEES.
JCDICIARY.

JUDICIARY
Shall women be allowed to vote in Maine:
Senator Dudley appeared before the Judiciary
Committee, in the Hall of Representatives,
yesterday afternoon, in behalf of his pro.
posed amendment to the Constitution TO con-
fer the privilege of elective franchise upon
all persons of proper age, of either sex. In
his argument the Senator from Aroostook
took the ground that taxation without repre-
sentatlon is tyranny; and that women, who
are compelled to pay taxes, should be allow ed
a voice in government. He contended that
women, mentally, if not physically, are equal
to men, and that it is injustice to them to de-
prive them of the ballot. The higher you
get up in civilization, the higher is the niche
awarded women. He believed that Maine
could with benefit amend the constitution.
and grant the right to vote to all persons ex-
cept minors. Indians, and paupers DIR.
Blackwell of Boston also appeared. and
spoke in favor of the amendment. He went
over the ground covered by Senator Dudley.
and substantially repeated his argument. He
thought this new influx Of intelligent voter.
would diminish the influence of the lower
and dangerous classes in American politics.
Men and women are made to work together,
and it would refine and elevate all concerned
~ thCy at tosctuct al pOilllCS MIS-
g. W. Quinby of Augusta, stated that she ap-
peared with great reluctance, but it seemed
to her that there should be one woman who
should plead before the Committee for the
extension Of the right of suffrage to women
She was in favor of full suffrage, if possible:
if not, she asked for the right to vote for
municipal and school officers. She dwelt
particularly upon the influence which the
vote of women would have in closing up
liquor saloons. Mr.. Freeman, the repre-
sentative from Cherryfeld presented bill
granting the right to vote for school officers to
all women over 81 years of age, and making
women eligible for positions of the board of
school directors. He said that the constitu-
tion of Maine did not prohibit women from
voting for municipal officers. He spoke at
some length, strongly advocating the measure
These bills were both laid on the table
Petition relating TO divorce laid on the table.
Bill came up in relation to the speedy detec-
tiOn and punishment of crime, which author
ICES the Governor and Council in the case of
murder and arson. to employ detective
charging the expense to the State. Report
"ought to pass" The Committee will report
a bill authorizing the Land Agent to have the
ancient land titles of the State recorded, at
an expense not exceeding $500.
RAILROADS.
The hearing in relation to the Lake Megan-
tic Railroad was continued before the Rail-
road Committee. A great deal of interest is
manifested in this matter, and many prom
inent railroad men were present. Il. n.
Egery, Esq, an iron foundery owner of
Bangor, was the first to speak. He thought
the granting of the amendment to the charter
of the Lake Megantic road would injure the
Bangor and Piscataquis r. X. to great ex-
tent. Mr.. f. A. Thompson of Dover said
that all the business men of Dover and Fox
croft had signed the remonstrance against
the amendment. A. N. Robinson, Esq, a
well known lawyer in Penobscot and Piscata-
quis counties, and a resident of Dover,
spoke in strong and convincing manner in
behalf the stockholders in the Piscataquis
road. He said that if the amendment was
granted it would crush and ruin many a poor
man who held stock to a small amount in
the road. L. w. Vose, Esq, City Solicitor
of Bangor, followed Mr.. Robinson in
strong and earnest argument against the
He said that the city of Ban
gor offered at one time to sell its interest in
the Bangor and Piscataquis r. r. for $780,
600, on the condition that the said Lake
Megantic Co. pay the interest on the city of
Bangor's bonds issued in aid of such road,
as it becomes due, and fully pay, take.up
and return said bonds and coupons, can
celled. to the city of Bangor on before their
AGRICULTURE.
The Committee on Agriculture gave
on the many petitions asking for
bounty on Bears. Oxford county. from the
number of petitions presented, seems to be
favorite locality for BrUin. While we al
ways knew that the "Oxford Bears" have
been prominent in political con-
tests, we now find that the original Oxford
bear has a tooth for good fat mutton. c. w
Kimball, the genial Representative from
Rumford, presented the cause of the petition
ers. Mr. Kimbal stated that one veteran
hunter had killed three bears IN one night,
and it was not good night for bears either.
The committee reported bounty of 50 on
each scalp, as the e, idence showed that in
one town in Oxford county the damages
caused bv bears was over 500. Legislation
was reported on the order in
quring into the expediency of amending the
revised statutes SO that the toll for grinding
all kinds of grain, except buckwheat and In
dian corn, shall not exceed one-tenth part
thereof.
EDUCATION.
Committee on Education will report
"ought to pass on petition of selectmen of
Washington for reimbursement of school
fund of 1880. Same report fought to pass
on order to amend the law so that schools
shall commence and continue as voted by
the district, unless in the opinion of the
school committee it would be
detrimental to the best interests of the dis
trict. Also report fought to pass" on petit
tion of n T. Talbot and l4S others of Cam
den for san act for the benefit Of the public
schools in Rockport." Ought to pass on
petition of citizens of Biddeford for change
in the law regulating election of superinten-
ding school committee in that city.
LEGAL AFFAIRS.
Committee on Legal Affairs voted ''opght
TO pass" on resolve in favor of Fort Kent; act
to amend chapter Sc, section lS of the revised
statutes. relating to trustees costs amend
ment relating to assignment of dover. On order
reducing price of board of prisoners. Report
inexpedent." Reported ''ought
10 mass" on section 6. chapter 63 Of the re-
vised statutes. relating to the jurisdiction of
probate courts. Report "ought not to pass
on bill to increase the license of haw kers
and peddlers to $50. Reported fought to
pass on bill providing for the sale of un-
called for packages at the express office
Reported Legislation inexpedient'' on bill to
make ten hours a legal days work Report
,,s.- ON pefifiO0 of South