The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-01-25
AUGUSTA.
Public Hearing on the Apportion-
ment Question.
SEVERAL NEW PLANS BUT NO
DECISION.
Especial Dispatch to the Pres 81

Especial Dispatch to the Pres s]
| AUGUSTA, Jan. "a.
At public hearing of the committee on con
gressional apportionmeAt in the senate cham
ber this evening N. Fessenden, Esq, executive
councillor from Aroostook county, appeared in
opposition to all the plans for a2portioning the
State that have been published. He favored
combining Aroostook, Penobscot and Wash
ington counties in one district, giving Piscata.
quis to the third district. These three coun-
ties, he said contain one-third of the territory
OF the state and If the census were taken today
they would show one-iourth of the population.
In the last decade these counties increased at
the most 10000 in population. Mr.. Fessenden
said that it was unjust to make one district
with population of 175,0 ,0OO while another
only has las, 900 and in the name Of Aroostook
he protested and objected to such scheme of
| apportionment.
Hon. John G. Talbot OF East Maehias strong.
lY favored the proposition of the preceding gem
tleman. In Cumberland and York during the
last decade the gain in population was only
four per cent OF the net gsin of the State while
In Aroostoek, Psnobscot and Washington the
gain was 81 IL per cent. The tnree counties
are contiguous and will make compact and
convenient district.
Senator Gushee Of Knox, submitted an in
genious plan whereby Democratic district
could be constructed by the division of Lin
coin cosnty, and grouping Knox and Lincoln
counties in one district His scheme was as
follows:
First District-Cumbsrlard York and Sag
adahoc, 167,69l population.
Second Districl-Androscoggin, Oxford,
Franklin. Kennebec and all Lincoln west of
DamariscOtta river, 161 1853 population.
Third District-Penobscot, Piscataquis,
Aroostook, Somerset, 1893 population.
Fonrth District-W ashipgton, Hancock,
Waldo, Knox and Lincoln cast of the Damar-
iscotta river, 159.s67 population.
Senator Mclaughlin of Cumberland said
that II the committee were expected to make
four districts, each containing just 10000 in
habitants without vid g counties it could
OF be done, and the committee had better ad-
journ sine die. The apportionment is for the
benefit Of the whole State and no gentleman
should complain because one district is larger
or smaller than another as long as there is no
unfair discrepancy. For twenty years York
and Cumberland counties have been carrying
a large surplus. They were link ed together by
location and b. community Of interests and
ought to 60 in one district.
Committee took no vote tonight and adjourn
ed to meet on Monday evening when they will
hold session with closed doors. 1t seems
very likely that the committee will be unable
to agree and that two or more reports will be
submitted to the Legislature,
ceMMIrrEE REPORTS.
ITo the Associated Press.
eemmittee en- towns voted to change the
name of the town Of Howard to Willimsntic.
Committee on railroads voted to report ought
to pass on bill for railroad from Portsmouth
to Ocean Bluff; same report on bill authoriz-
ing the Knox and Lincoln railroad company to
lease or sell its railroad; also bill to incorpor
ate Bar Harbor and Ellsworth Telegraph Com
pany. 1t was voted to report bill to confirm
the charter of railroad to that portion of the
road that may be completed when the full
amount provided for In the original charter
has not been built on account Of lack OF funds
or other causes. Committee on mercantile
affairs and insurance voted legislation inexpe-
dent on order to repeal fees paid by insurance
brokers.