Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-18

REroEr OF Hox. H. B. CLEAvEs.

REPORT OF HON IL. T. (LEAyES-
Attorney-General Henry B. CIeaves. has
submitted his annual report Of the business
Of the Departmen Mt Of Justice. and we here
with present TO our readers brief abstract
Of its more important features
TAXATION.
The Legislature Of 1880, having in view
a more equal distribution of the burdens of
taxation, and believing that fairness and
equality required the imposition of reason
able assessment upon corporate wealth. and
corporations doing business in this State.
thereby compelled to bear their fair proper
ton Of the public burdens, passed several
acts relating to the subject. calculated to Sc
cure new sources of revenue. The subjects
embraced in the different statutes, were rail-
road corporations, telegraph and express
companies.
By virtue Of the statute authorizing the
ASSIGNMENT the tax against the various rail-
road companies not exempt fherefrom BY
their charters. became due, one-half on the
first day VI july last. and the balance on the
first das of October following. Certain com
panies having declined TO pay the assessment.
claiming that the act under which the levy
was made. was in contravention of the Con
stitution Of the State suit was at once com
menced against the Maine Central Raiirnad
Company for the first insialment, returnable
ut the October term, \. ID. 1880, of the Su-
prene Judicial Court in Cumberland county.
Under the rules of procedure in the Supreme
Court. the case would not be reached for
trial before the January term following; and
questions OF law arising, il would not. except
by the consent of the defendant corporation,
get before the fall Court for determination.
before July. 4. ID. 1881. The President of
the Maine Central Railroad Company. Hon.
George f.. Il. jackson. and Messrs. Drum
mond and Drummcnd, counsel for the com
panv. expires sea desire that the validity of
the act should be speedily determined, and
consented 10 make up case i'll which the
con-titntionality of the statute should be the
sole question submitted; the regularity of
the proceedings of all State officers in the as
ses-ment Of the tax, being admitted. The
case is in order TO be argued and submitted
70 the Cour. for determination.
Suits have also been commenced against
the Boston & Maine Railroad, and Portland.
Saco & Portsmouth Railroad Company for
the recovery Of the tax assessed against
them.
The principal portion Of the tax assessed
upon telegraph lines. is against the Maine
Western Union. The lines of the Maine and
International are under lease to and operated
bv the Western Union. The tax against the
Maine has been paid. but payment on the
part of the International and Western Mon
il resisted Suits have been commenced
against the two last named corporations, re
turnable at the January term of the Supreme
Court in Cumberland county.
LIFE SENTENCES
There have been seven life sentences i'm
posed during the past year. Is follows: At
the March term, A. D.. 1850. of the 5. J.
Court in the County of Knox, Hannah Thorn
dixie was sentenced to the State Prison for
life. for the murder of Honora Sullivan. The
crime was committed on the second day of
October, 4. d.. 1873.
At the February term. A. d. 1880. of the
:. J. Court in the County Of Penobscot, Jo-
seph Bolluc was sentenced to the State Pris
on for life. for the murder of James J. Nor
ris. The-crime was committed on the seventh
dav of November, A. D., 1879.
At the january term. A. d., 1880, of the
$ j. Court in the County of Kennebec, ia
son Scribner was sentenced to the State
Prison for life for the murder of his child.
The crime committed in October, 4. D.,
1879.
At the September term A. ID. 1850. of the
Superior Court in the County OF Cumberland,
James Nj, Lowe was sentenced to the State
Prison for life. for the murder of his brother
Joseph 4. Lowe. The crime was committed
September 26. 1879.
Jennie Fraser indicted at the January term.
\. u. 1880, of the Superior Court for Cum
berland county for the crime of arson. was sen
fenced, at the September term following. to
imprisonment tor life.
In the case of Patrick Hurley, charged
with similar offence. the exceptions filed by
the counsel for respondent. were overruled
by the full Court, in july last. and life SEN
teuce was imposed at the September term, AID
1880. of the Superior Court in Cumberland
county.
Sarah Morrissy was sentenced at the same
term, to imprisonment for life. for the muir
der of her infant child.
CRIMINAL BUSINESS IN THE COUNTIES.
From the carefully prepared reports of the
prosecuting officers of the different counties
the Attorney General has completed and an
nexed tables. showing specifically the amount
and nature of the business in the several
COMMITTEES.
In the Western District there have been
ninetv-eight State cases in the Law Court. in
which decisions have been rendered since
November /, 4. ID. 1879. Judgment for
the State in every case.
In the Middle District there have been
thirtv-five State cases in the Law Court. in
which decisions have have been rendered
since November l. A. ID. 1879. Judgment
for the State in every case.
In the Eastern district there have been but
two State eases. in the Law Court. in which
decisions have been rendered since Novem-
Der |. 1879. Judgment for the State in both
cases.
OF the 1868 prosecutions for the year end
ing November |, 1850. J2l are on account of
violation of the liquor law, ia assault and
battery. and Il nuisances. making a grand
total of seren hundred and nine prosecutions
directly and indirectly, chargable to rum.
STATISTICS.
The disposition. and result of prosecutions
during the wear. and their condition on
November |. A. ID. lSSo,is shown By the follow
ing table:
Disposition during the year ending Novem-
Der l. l>S0 :-Quashed. 1; mol prosed on pay
ment of costs. 100: mol prosed or dismissed.
$50: conviction and sentence. 434; acquit-
tails. % placed on file. l6 Condition at end
of year. November |. 1850, continued open.
SIS; continued for sentence, l69; continued
marked 'law," 65. Sentences State Prison. 80:
County Jail and House of Correction. l43:
Reform School, /; Fines. &c, 21S.
The amour; of fines and costs as penalties,
the amount collected. and the cost of prose-