The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-02-19
AUGUSTA.
The Capital Punishment Bill Like.
ly to Fail.
REPORT OF TaE COMMITTEE ON LEG
IsLAT1vE APPoRT1oNMENT.
Bill to Create Lien on Canned Goods.
Special Despatch to the Press.l


AUGUSTA, Feb. 49,
Last week was the busiest Of the session, as
the long list of bills enacted and resolves final
ly passed shows On Tuesday the Senate dis
posed of the constitutional prohibtory amend
ment, passing the resolve to be engrossed by
vote of % to g. Friday the House finally passed
the resolve by vote of 80 to 80. The resolve
will come up to the Senate to be finally acted
upon tomorrow or Tuesday. After protract-
ed discussion the bill to apportion the State
for Representatives to Congress passed to be en-
crossed in the House just as reported from the
committee. 1t has been read once in the Seh-
ate, and Tuesday, at II O'clock assigned for its
consideration. Mr.. Rust, of Waldo, (Fusion)
will oppose the bill, and it is understood thai
Mr.. Gushee, of Knox, (Fusion) will offer an
amendment. Mr. Weymouth, of Penobscot,
chairman of the committee, will speak briefly
in support Of the measure, and concise remarks
may be made by other Senators. But the SEN
ate is not a talking body this year, and the bill
will pass to be engrossed with comparatively
little discussion. Some notable speeches were
made in tie House on this subject, especially
those of Speaker Haynes in favor and that of
Mr.. Powers, of Houlton, opposed The divorce
bill was disposed of in the House on Friday
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
Wednesday has been assigned for a consider
alton of Judge Halls BILL restoring the death
penalty. have not yet found member who
is not going to speak on the bill. A speech on
capital punishment is like spark in powder
magazine; it is certain to produce an explo-
sion. Three or four days are sure to be con-
SunAd dobaf1nu 10 q
of speculation what will be the fate of the bill,
but the impression seems to be gainings trength
that the death penalty will mot be restored.
There is one powerful consideration which
must influence the action of the lawmakers
the people do not call for the blu When capi-
tai punishment was abolished petitions came in
from almost every township in the State pray
ing that Imprisonment for life be substituted
for hanging; but know of no petitions being
received asking for the restoration of the death
penalty
LEGISLATIVE APPoRTIoNNENT.
The Committee on Leg gislative Apportion-
ment will submit report this week, giving
Androscoggin II representatives; Aroostook, 10;
Cumberland, 20; Franklin, 4; Hancock, 8;
Kennebec, 13: Knox, s; Lincoln, 6; Oxford, 7;
Penobscot, 16; Piscataquis B.; Sagadahoc, 4;
Somerset 8; Waldo, Z; Washington, 10: York,
10. There is some dissatisfaction among the
members of the delegations from several coun-
ties with this apportionment Cumberland
claims that she is entitled to q representatives,
and her delegation have instructed Senator
Lord and Representative Thompson, mem bers
of the committee, to bring in a minority re-
port. Sagadahoc thinks that Androscoggin has
an unduly large representation, and that one
representative should bs substracted from the
eleven which the committee have awarded her
and added 10 the Sagadahoc contingent The
bill is liable to create considerable discussion
when reported.
FINAL REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
Several committees will make their final re-
ports this week. The committees on educa-
tion, agriculture, towns, counties, commerce,
military affairs, temperance, and perhaps
A+ha-s, a-aA pro.
and will be able to report in few days. The
judiciary and legal affairs committees have
each a fortnight of hard work before them.
The committee on mercantile affairs and insuI-
ance will reach report on the case of Col. j.
B. Peaks, of Dover, insurance commissioner,
in day or two. His term of office expires
Tuesday. Attorney General Cleaves was be-
fore the committee Friday night, and his inter-
probation of the law sustains Mr.. Peaks in re-
garding the license fees as the perquistes of
the commissioner. The committee on revision
of the statutes are devoting all the time they
can spare to their work. They will be through
all but incorporating the laws ens cted the
present winter in two weeks. There is consid-
erable diversity of opinion as to how long it
will take them TO accom- plish the last. Some
members say that it will requires a month;
Others that foLr days OF week is long enough.
Upon the amount of time required to incorpor-
ate the laws depends the question Of the neces-
siJy of the Legislature taking a three weeks
recess.
LIEN ON CANNED GOODS.
Senator Stubbs, of Franklin, is drafting
bill which will interest the farmers of Maine,
especially those who have lost money through
the failure Of firms engaged in the packing
aud canning business. Il provides that farm
ers aud producers of corn and other grains and
fruit that is to be canned shall have lien on
all canned goods for thirty days, or until they
are sent to market AS the law now stands the
farmer has no protection, aad in case of failure
can only recover percentage of his claim by
litigation. No solvent canning company will
object to the bill, and it will undoubtedly be-
come law.
PERSONAL,
One of the most industrious and valuable
members of the House is Mr.. Hale of Port
land, who is immensely popular here this win
ter. He has been called to the chair twice
within week, and presided ably and impair
TALLY. Mr.. Hale has made several fine speech
es and, without being obtrusive, has won a
rank rarely accorded a new member.
George E. Minot, Esq, assistant secretary
of the Senate, has been confined to his house
for few days past with severe cold. His
place has been supplied by Mr.. Charles K. Til
den of Hallowell, son of Gen. Charles w.
Tilden, the efficient secretary.
Alden w. Philbrook, Esq, prominent dry
goods merchant in this city, is prominently
mentioned in connection with the mayoralty.
Mr.. Philrook is chairman of the board of al
dermen, and during Mayor vickery's absence
| abroad last summer acted as mayor He is
| very popular with all classes, and will proba.
bly, be nominated by acclamation.