The Portland daily press., 1881-01-21
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by TELEGRAPH.
AUGUSTA.
Bill to Tax Gross Earnings of
Railroads.
RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY
FOR IRELAND.
Foss Allowed to Retain his Seat.
Foss Allowed to Retain his Seat.
Especial Despatch to the Press


AUGUSTA, Jan. 20. 81
Several important measures were introduced
into the Legislature to-day, among which was
bill to tax the gross earnings of railroads in
stead of the franchise. A petition was pre-
sented, signed by w. W. Thomas, DR.. Car
ruthers and 769 others of Portland, to incorpor-
ate the principle of prohibition into the funda-
mental law of the State. The petition was
drawn by Neal Dow. Resolves were adopted
by the House expressing sympathy for the peo-
pie Of Ireland. A bill was offered which
amends the law relating to loiterers. so as to
give steamboat officers authority to drive off loi
tef5rs NJ. freeman, of Cherryfeld, presented
in the House petition asking that the right
of iahool suffrage be conferred upon women SO
that they can vote for school officers of ali
kinds. The petition was thirty-four feet in
length, and there were two columns of names,
which, if thrown into one column, would have
measured over sixty feet in length. The petit
ton bore the autographs of many distinguished
persons of both sexes, eminent for their phil
antkropy and piety, great moral worth and in
tegrity and eminent in education. Among the
signers is the name of Gov. Plaisted
Senator Hale started for Washington this at
ternoon.
Gov. Plaisted will accompany the Agricul-
tural Committee on their visit to the State Col
lege of Agriculture next Wednesday.
Gov. Plaisted nominated one OF his sons to-
day messenger to the Governor and Council.
At the meeting of the Judiciary Committee
this afternoon it was voted that hearing be
given Feb. LIST on Mr.. Talbot's proposition to
amend che Constitution of the State so as to
provide that the biennial State election shall
be held on Tuesday next after the first Monday
in November, instead Of the second Monday of
September.
1t was also. voted to give public hearings to
those interested in changing the divorce laws
and also in amending the constitution so as to
confer the elective franchise on women, on the
9th inst.
The matter of holding term of the Supreme
Judicial Court at Caribou was assigned for
Feb. Sd.
1t was voted to report a bill to authorize the
punishment of trespassers in Evergreen Gene
terry, Portland.
The Agricultural Committee voted to give
petitioners leave to withdraw on application
for bounties on foxes, hawks and squirrels
A hearing was given to Prof. Fernald and
Prof. Valentine, of the Agricultural College,
in regard to establishing station for Analysing
commercial fertilizers. Leave was given them
to bring in BILL when another hearing will oc-
cur.
The Committee on Legal Affairs voted to re-
port bill requiring town clerks to preserve
the ballots cast at any State election for the
period of six months after the election. Also
lege at Lewiston.
The Railroad committee have made the fol-
lowing assignments for hearings:
Portland & Rochester R. r. Co., for amend
ment of charter, Jan. %; to revive charter of
Brownville & Sebec R. r., Jan q; to amend
charter of Aroostook R. R., Jan. 27; to allow
Boston & Maine R. R. Co, to purchase Orchard
Beach r. R., Jan. 81; Penobscot & Megantic
r. r., Feb. 1; for charter tor narrow gauge
railroad from Bucksport to Ellsworth, referred
from last legislature, Jan. %.
The House Election committee gave hear
ing this afternoon to John Pollys, Republican,
who contests the seat of Foss, Fusion, of the
Princeton class, who received the certificate.
Foss claimed he was elected by 20 majority,
but he could only show that his majority was
s. Pollys showed that II Illegal votes were
thrown for Foss, and claimed his own election
by majority. The hearing was postponed for
two weeks to enable Foss to get rebutting tes-
timony. Since this result was reached several |
members of the committee, representing both |
parties, conferred with each other this evening |
and, in view of the fact that the case was very |
close and would involve much litigation, pro. |
trscted hearings and considerable expense in |
obtaining testimony in the extreme northern |
portion of Washington county, it was agreed |
to recommend that Mr.. Foss retain his seat |
and Mr.. Pollys, according to usage, be allow
ed the usual pay for travel and attendance as a |
contestant.
The following Justices of the Peace were |
nominated today by Gov Plaisted, and if ap- |
proved they will take effect February LIST:
John Bennett, Parsonsfeld; Augustus FL. |
Walker, Lowell; Frederick A. Quinby, Port-
laid; Frederick w. Guptill, Saco; Albert |
Lord. Eliot; Paul G. Pinkham, Freeport; John |
E. Dow. Portland; Edwin A. Barton, Saco;
Carol E. Pillsbury, Winthrop; Fred S. Walls, !
James H. Burgess, Corinna;
Frank Buck, Orland; John Fl. Drummer, |
Oliver P. Bragdon, Sullivan; James |
Tirnory. Oakfield Plantation; Joseph G. A. |
Smith, Bridgewater; Joseph A. Lnscott Far |
miDgton; John f. Libby, Carthage; Joseph G. |
Holman, Pennington; Ira G.. Hersey Linneus;
Sylvanus S. Hall, East Machias; Henry L. |
Good, East Machias; John P. Donworth, Houl- |
ton; George A. p. Bryant, Moro Pl.; VIM W. |
Pembroke; Frank M. York. |
Caribou; Francis j. Orr, Harpswell Frank l.. |
Trundy, Frankfort; Geo. Gilbert Benner,
Joel p. Houston, Damariscotta.
The Governor also nominated VIM H Win
gate of Biddeford, Taxidermist, and Harold |
N. Piaisted of Bangor, Messenger to Governor
mud Houno1