Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-15
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.
MONDAY. February II.

Prayer BY the chaplain
Papers from the House passed IN concur
renee.
Communications were received from Hon.
]. 0. Smith, Secretary of State, transmitting
the report Of the Railroad Commissioners Tor
1880: referred 10 Committee on Railroads
A communication from Hon. 5. A. Hol-
brook, accepting the Office Of State Treasurer.
and submitting his bond; referred TO Com
mittee on Finance.
On motion of Mr.. MoRrLAyD. the title TO
an act to amend section II, chapter 43 of the
Revised Statutes was amended by adding
after the word Revised Statutes, relating
to meridian lines also the act was amend
ed by striking out section 2. This shall
take effect when approved), as amended, read
and assigned.
On motion of Mr.. BIsBEE, an act to protect
fish in Lufkin Pond in the town of Phillips.
was laid on The table.
Mr.. BERRY, from the Committee On Agri-
culture. on establishing by law a standard
weight per bushel for the different grades of
salt, reported a bill in favor. Printed under
rule. Turks Island salt, 20 pounds shall
constitute bushel. and 60 pounds of Liver
pool.)
Mr. WAKEFIELD, from the Committee on
Interior Waters, on petition of Charles G.
Stevens ct. ais, for amendment of the
charter of the Sebois Dam Co., reported
bill and that the same ought to pass. On
stead of the toll now provided the said cur
poration may demand toll of forty cents for
each thousand feet. board measure, for all
logs driven over their dam erected or TO be
erected, at or near the outlet of Trout Lake,
also they may demand twenty cents for each
thousand feet, board measure, that may pass
over the dams and improvements erected or
l. A. = L..
Stream. and maintain these prices until they
have received the pay for repairs and per
cent on money used, then prices for toll
shall be reduced.)
On motion of Mr.. Dudley the report was
laid on the table.
Pending its passage 20 be engrossed,
an act to amend chap. i63 of the
public laws of 1877 relating to lettering
in public places, with an amendment pro-
posed making this law apply simply to per-
sons committing IA nuisance around station
houses of a railroad corporation or steamboat
or upon the platform or grounds adjoining
such stations"
Mr.. BIsBEE said That though the
amendment was offered some days before,
yet he had not examined it carefully. and it
came upon him suddenly. AS it now APP
peared to him any such amendment
WOulu tdke dW dN TIE WIiOlt lofCc VI tuc drt.
Mr.. MORTLAND said: The Senator from
Oxford (Bisbee) is in part right. When l
offered the amendment l did intend to take
away part of the provisions of the law. That
law had conferred powers on railroad cor
pOrations greater than they ought to possess.
Under that law any person having occasion
to go to a railroad station might be ordered
of by some officer of the road, and this might
be done merely through some personal
grudge that this railroad official had against
that person. | contend this power should
not be placed in the hands of ANY corpora
ton, but that all persons should have the
right TO go anywhere in this broad land and
not be liable to arrest unless lie Lal commit
ted some offense. BY the provisions of this
amendment if person goes 10 any station
and commits a nuisance he can be ordered
away, and if he does not go then he is liable
to punishment. But if he violates no law he
has the right to remain there.
Mr.. PATrANGALL said: When this question
was under discussion the other day steam
boat owner was present, and later he said to
me that he was opposed to the passage Of
the amendment making this act apply to
steamboat stations, and l believe this feeling
is entertained by all steamboat owners. BY
this act you or |, if we go to the station with
friends or to await the arrival of friends, are
liable to be ordered off as common loafers
Yes, by the reading of the bill we cannot re-
main ''upon the platform or grounds adjoin-
ing such station without running the same
risk. What if we own the land adjoining such
station and go out to see these steamers as
they go by. am not liable to be ordered off
my own grounds? Where is the line of
demarcation? This is one of the laws which
never should be enacted. The supposition of
lava lie that m is iDpncept until no iS
proven guilty. By this law a man is de-
clared guilty and forced to prove his inno-
cence.
steamboats, in my town and not likely to be
unless Providence interposes and gives us
more water than we have ever had yet.
do know this. like to have my own rights
and am not willing to have them interfered
with. 1t is the usual practice for crowd of
lOterers to collect around a railroad station
and it is almost impossible to get on or off
train without their interference. As yet am
not certain whether l am in favor of this
amendment or not, and would therefore
move that 1t be laid on the table.
Mr.. WALKER said Let us dissect this ques-
ton for it will be an economy of time. The
intention in the outset was to extend to the
steamboats, the same privileges and rights, as
ny TIE INV VI 100 are conferred on rail-
roads, this was the object of both amend
ments. There is no essential difference be-
tween a railroad and a steamboat station,
why the same principle should not apply to
both. This discussion has not arisen from
any objection to the amendment, but it has
awakened the sleeping lions against the
original bill, the law of 1877. Keep these
two distinct, and sepa rate this bill and the
amendment.
Mr.. PATrANGALL said: There is manifest
difference between a railroad and steamboat
corporation. The train is due at a certain
time. and if it is not prompt intelligence NAV
be received by telegraph why it is DELAYED.
but the weather may interfere with the arrival
of steamboats, for days and ne such infor.
nation can be obtained. You sometimes 90
to meet your friends at the wharf vet BY this
law you may be arrested for such an act.
The law has not consulted the will of steam
boat owners. 1t is wrong in spirit and should
not pass. 1t limits the inherent rights of
men. Why would have it so anv one might
go to the station out of mere Gu -iositv and
not be interfered with There NAV be a
magnificent animal going through on the
train, bear or an elephant and I claim I
have the right and should have the right to
see that animal without interference.
Mr.. LANsoS said am personally inter
ested with the passage of this bill and so are
my townsmen. All the fault | find is the
amendment does not go far enough If the
1aba rraJ loafars from, L.,