The Portland daily press., 1881-02-16

A resolve was reported appropriating $500
annually for two years in aid of OAK Grove
Seminary provided normal depa rtment is
maintained. Ordered printed.
Bill an act for the speedy detection and
punishment of crime was taken from the
table on motion of Mr.. Hatch of Bangor who
moved to amend as follows:
Amend section l by striking out all in said
section after the words Attorney General" in
the sixth line, and insert the words "authorize
some civil or other suitable persons to condnct
such investigation"
Amend section 2 by striking out the words
land such county attorney" in the fifth line.
The expenditures under this act shall not ex-
ceed in any one year the sum of $500.
Mr. Hatch explained the object of his
amendments and said they were proposed in
the interest of the State.
Mr.. Strout Of Portland explained the pur-
pose OF the bill. 1t was sent here, he believed,
at the instance of the Attorney General of the
State. 1t is confined to the single crime of
murder. He thought the bill was pretty care
fully guarded, and no objection could be
raised against it.
Mr. Hatch replied He believed if the bill
passed without his amendments the State
would be overrun with detectives to ferret ont
crime for the purpose of getting money from
the treasury.
The debate was continued by Messrs
Hutchinson of Houlton, Folsom Of Oldtown
and others.
The amendment to sec. was adopted.
Mr. Talbot OF East Machias opposed the
adoption OF the remaining amendments. Muir
derS We're as frequent in the State as new
moons. The bill is not for an increase of
salary of the Attorney General as had been
intimated. The bill be thought was properly
guarded.
Mr.. Hatch withdrew his second amend
ment, and offered the following which was
adopted:
Amend Sec 2by striking out the word "suct"
and inserting instead thereof the word the
and after attorney in the same line the
words "for the county where the offenc shall
be committed %
Mr. Strout favored the bill which was for
the preservation Of the peace and order of the
State. Detectives were needed and they
should be paid for their services.
Messrs. Keegan of Van Buren and Brad
The third amendment by adding section 3
was rejected.
Mr. Folsom OF Oldtown moved that the bill
be indefinitely postponed. which was lost.
The bill was then passed to be engrossed as
amended
Bill to incorporate the Oxford g. Andros-
coggin Telegraph Co. was taken from the table
and passed.
Majority report of the committee on temper
ance reporting bill an act to amend sec As,
chap n, r. s., relative to the sale of intoxi-
eaTlng S?,1 liquors, and minority report that the
Dill ought not to pass, were taken up the ques-
ton being to substitute the minority for the
majority report on motion of Mr.. Fisher of
Boothbay, who spoke in favor.
The bill provides for statement of convic-
tions with names of parties to be prepared by
the Clerk of Courts and to be served upon the
Judge and recorder of each municipal or po-
lice court and upon trial justices, and the Off
GERS return shall be conclusive evidence that
such trial Justice, recorder or judge has knowl-
edge OF such convictions Also provides reasona-
BILE fees for county attorney, clerk and officer.
Mr.. Keegan spoke against the bill and Mr..
| Cook of Lewiston in favor
Mr.. Verrill of Portland opposed the bill. He
believed it would obstruct rather than facili-
tate the execution of the law.
| Mr.. Morrill, of Augusta favored the bill,
which was one presented to the committee by
the County Attorney of Kennebec. The bill
makes plain the duty of the officer, where
| conviction is made. He believed the bill
useful one and had merit. 1t was simply to
convict rumseller of the second offence when
! he had committed it.
Debate was continued by Talbot, Folsom
and Fisher.
On motion of Mr.. Morrill, the yeas and nays
were ordered on the question of substituting
the minority for the majority report. which on
being taken resulted 63 yeas, 81 nays. So the
minority report was substituted and accepted