The Portland daily press., 1881-02-01
AUGUSTA.
An Amendment to the Liquor Law
Asked For.
CHANGE IN THE PORTLAND HARBOR
COMMISSIONERS LINE
A New Phase of the Messenger Question.
Quaint Petition for the Repeal of the
Cider Clause.
Special Despatch to the Press

sented today in the House was one additional
to sec. As, chap. 81, relating to sale of intoxi-
eating liquors, which provides that within ten
days after adjournment of each criminal term
it shall be the duty of the County Attorney to
cause statement of the convictions rendered
at said term under this chapter with the name
of the parties and the offence, to be prepared
by the Clerk of Courts and served by one of
his deputies upon each trial justice, recorder
and judge of any municipal or police court
within the county. Such service shall be
made by an attested copy and said statement
and the officers return thereon shall be conclu-
sive evidence that such trial justice Or recor-
der or judge has knowledge of such convic-
tion within the meaning of sths section. The
County Attorney, Clerk and Sheriff shall be
allowed reasonable fees therefor, to be taxed
and allowed in the same manner as fees and
costs in other criminal cases.
A bill was piese nted authorizing the county
commissioners of Plscataquis to discharge a
tax made by them and to include the amount
in another assessment.
A petition was presented to amend the game
laws so as to allow the taking of perch in
North and East ponds in Waterville.
The change asked for in the county commits
sioners line in Portland harbor established in
1885, lying east of Galt's wharf is the result of
an accurate survey under Gen. Thorn of the U
S. engineers. 1t is expected that its adoption,
while it will give increased wharf facilities
which are imperatively needed will also give
increased force to the tidal current, and secure
greater depth of water on the middle
grounds. The new line is not far from paral-
lei with the oil d one and som ething more than
200 feet outside of it.
A change is asked for the close-tine for
moose, deer and caribou, TO between Dec. 1st
and Sept. list, instead of the present close
time.
A large delegation from Bangor is over here
to oppose the scheme Of the Lake Megantic
| people, hearing on which takes place tomor-
| row.
Among the petitions asking for a repeal of
the cider law is the following which comes
| from Washington county signed by j. A.
Mahar and 4S others:
| To the Honorable the House of REPRESENTATIVES
Of the State Of Maine:
| We, the adult citizens of Washington coun-
ty, would respectfully represent that most of
the cider drank in this county is drank in the
eet or unfermented state; also that many
families wish to use little sweet cider in pies
and SO do not wish to buy five gallons. We
therefore humbly petition that you repeal last
| winters cider law, at least in and for this
| county.
Among the signers of the petition are five
ladies. 1t will be seen that the Senate is ig-
nored, and the House called upon to repeal
the law.
The petition from Biddeford for a change
In the mode of electing school committee and
superintendent of schools in that city, wants a
law similar to the one enacted for the benefit
of Lewiston.
The bill to incorporate the Maine Pedagogi-
cal Society is asked for to promote the educa-
tional interests of this state The incorpora.
tors named are W. A. Burr, II. L. Chapman,
E. W. Hall, A. E. Chase, R. Woodbury., c. E.
Rounds, M. q. Fernald and L. J. Jordan.
Authority is wanted to hold $4,000 worth of
property.
The unsuccessful attempt of the gentleman
from Van Buren, today, to have the commit
tees make their final reports by the 18th of next
month, was the means of delaying the bust
ness OF the House at least one if not two DAYS,
large amount of routine matters being pre-
vented from being acted upon on account of
the Adjournment for want of quorum. That
is what haste OR forcing legislation too often
occasions.
The charter asked for the Lewiston Steam
Heating Co. names Gov. Dingley, Capt. Dam
iel Holland and % others of the leading citizens
of that city. Authority is asked to hold prop
erty to the amount of $1,000 and permission
to construct works and lay pipes through the
various streets.
The provisions of the fire escape bill are that
all manufacturing establishments, hotels,
&C., shall be provided with suitable fire es
capes outside the building, and requires muni-
cipal officers to see they have, and also to re-
quire the owners of any public building where
the people congregate in large numbers, to
have them. The penalty for not complying
with the law is not less than $50 nor more
than $500.
The First Universalist Society of Bridgton
want the Legislature to ratify and legalize a
mortgage given by them on their church prop
erty for sum of money which they have pro-
cured of the Bridgton Savings Bank
The messenger question has assumed new
PiAooO, WV ldiotOu udfluR uOtIueU Major
House that his services will not be required
after today. 1t is hardly to be presumed that
the majors term will be summarily curtailed
in this manner as the Council, in accordance
with usage, have employed him as messenger,
and as he is not a civil officer any more than
any other employe about the capitol it is diff
cult to see how the Council can be prevented
from hiring Maj. House to serve them, or ary
other man. The Council have never objected
to Gov. Plaisted's having his son serve him as
private secretary, but they claim the right to
say who shall serve them as messenger.
The nomination of Judge Tallman of Bath
for Municipal Judge of that city, it is said,
was premature, as his commission does not ex-
pre until the first Monday of March; there is
consequently no vacancy at the present time
to fill, and no occasion for a nomination.
The apportionment committee on Senators
and Representatives are favorably disposed to
adopt 21,OOO as basis for the former and
1900 as basis for the latter. The gains in
several counties for the last decade have been
as follows:
Androscoggin, 917s; Aroostook, 1901; Cum
berland, 4339; Hancock, 1886; Knox, 2O39;
Piscataquis. 40: Sagadahoc, 473; Washington,
1134; York, 2091.
The losses have been as follows:-Franklin,
623; Kennebec, 1852; Lincoln. 71S; Oxford, $40;
Penobscot 4165; Somerset, 2272: Waldo, 2O54
The committee on apportionment of Con.
gressional districts had several states under
consideration this evening but reached no re-
suit.
The House elected Hon. S. G. Hatch, of
Bangor, Speaker pro tenn. to-day in the absence
of Speaker Hutchinson, who will be away
day or two longer, being detained by profess
sional business.
There are several members of the House
who are absent on account of colds.
SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE.