The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-02-12
The Session Likely to Extend
Into March.
Little Opposition to the Prohibi-
tory Amendment in the Senate.
Passage Of the Capital Punishment Bill
Doubtful.
New Episcopal Academy in Aroostook.
Special Despatch to the Press.l

of March, which would make the length oi
the session 66 days. The committees are work
ing hard, and some of the less important ones
are ready to report. But the Judiciary and
legal affairs committees have oven a hundred
entries on their dockets, and have assigned
hearings late into February. The committee
on revision of the statutes can finish their
work, all but Incorporating the laws of the
present winter, in three weeks, ahd this last
can be accomplished in four days. In 1881 the
length Of the session was "a days; but great
deal more business has been done this winter
up to date than two years ago. Fifty-seven
public acts have already been approved Were
it not for the fact that there are so many inn
portant public questions TO settle-like the ap
portionment and constitutional amendment
an adjournment could be reached this month
but the tongues of the members are uploosed,
and no one can tell when they will cease talk
ing.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
II haven't been so happy for 10 y, ars!" ex-
claimed DR.. Eaton Thursday, when the House
voted 104 to 81 to pass the resolve for the con-
stitutional prohibtory amendment to be en-
/ crossed Thursday. when the vote was reach
ca, was the most exciting day of the session in
! the House. Mr.. " Wilson of Paris made great
| speech in favor of the amendment, and is re-
| ceivirg congratulations from all sides. II ad
| mirably counterbalanced the speech made by
Mr.. Thompson of Brunswick week before.
| The size of the majority in favor of the
amendment was a surprise even to its most
ssnguine friends. The opponents of the
measure now claim that when the vote is taken
on the final passage they will be much stronger
that they were the other day, as some members
! who were willing that the resolve should pass
| to be engrossed will not vote to submit it to
the people. The Senate has assigned Tuesday
forenoon at II o'clock for consideration of the
resolve. Mr.. Rust of Waldo is to offer an
amendment, and will follow it up by remarks.
There will not be much discussion in the
Senate, however, and few votes will be record
ed against the resolve 1t would have passed
to be engrossed on Friday without OPP
position, had not Mr.. Rust requested that it be
laid over.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK.
In the House some important matters come
up By assignment this week Tuesday, after
the morning hour, the bill for the apportion-
ment of the State into Congressional districts,
will be further discussed. The fiercest debate
of the winter will come over this bill, but
think it will pass as reported. Bill an act to
amend chapter 60 of the revised statutes re-
lating to divorce. has been laid =, =
suFtsi NJ s8pftnssa~.kEi isssr~fsmy- assigned ZOE
the consideration of the death penalty bill.
the bill provides that in cases where murder
is committed with express malice aforethought
the murderer shall be hanged by the neck un-
til dead. The time for the execution of the
sentence shall be fixed by the court and shall
be not less than six months nor more than one
year from the day on which such sentence is
pronounced. 1t has been reported that the judi
| ciary committee, from which this bill emanates,
are substantially united in favor of restoring
| capital punishment but such is not the case.
| Six members of tho committee will support
! the bill, while the other four-Senator LeDroke,
the chairman, Messrs. Powers of Hoult on,
| Wilson of Paris and White of Lewiston-are
opposed to it, do not think this legislature
will enact any such sanguinary law, especial
ly as the people of the State do not call for IT,
! Capital punishment is subject on witch
everyone can talk, and the bill will afford an
excellent opportunity for speechmaking.
oRAToRY IN THE SENATE.
The transition from the crowded and poorly
ventilated hall of Representatives, with its
perpetual hustle, its thronged galleries, and its
| constant rush of business, to the purer and
| quieter atmosphere of the Senate chamber is
| very marked. The Senate is a more leisurely
and dgnifed body than the House; but there
is stimulus in the turbulance and excitement
| of the lower branch which is favorable to
eloquence and oratory. There have been few
speeches in the Senste this winter, but there
| will be plenty of opportunity yet. I want to
| hear Senator Lebroke of Piscataquis ON some
subject in which he is thoroughly interested.
He is the most eloquent man in the Senate,
has heart as big as an OK, and can easily sus-
tain himself at height which few men can
reach. Senator Mclaughlin speaks so earnest
ly, with SO much sincerity and good feeling,
that it is a pleasure to see him on his feet. 1t
is impossible for Senator Young to speak with
outsaying something. He is sharp, witty and
entertaining, and his bright little speeches
captivate his audience Senator Weeks OF
Kennebec has straightforward, business way
of talking that goes right to the point, as does
Senator Wentworth of Penobscot. The other
Republican Senators, while they have attended
closely to business, have made few speeches
OF the opposition, Senator Rust of Waldo is
the most active, and it rejoices his heart to get
an opportunity to pr ,test against any increase
in salaries or appropriations. Ills speeches are
well constructed and are listened to respectful
ly. In spite of his erratic political career
Senator Rust is man whom one can't help
liking.
NEW EPISCOPAL ACADEMY.
Bishop Neely of Portland was in town day
or two ago inthe interest of the petition of the
trustees of the Presque Isle Academy, asking
that their fund of $4,000, on deposit with the
State Treasurer, may he turned over to a new
corporation. There has been an academy at
Presque Isle for quite a number of years, with
an average attendance of 30 scholars, but its
endowment is SO small that it cannot accom-
plish all that its friends desired. The trustees
propose to dispose of the present buildings,
turn over the fund on deposit in the State
: Treasury, and raise $500 by subscription, pro-
yided the Episcopal church will raise $1,000
more, and establish a first class academy al
/ Presque Isle, Five acres of land have already
been donated, and the new buildings will
soon be erected. The academy will be Of
similar grade to the Hallowell Classical
School, and will be an inestimable blessing tt
northern Aroostook.
GOV. ROBES RECEPTION
a Last week thousand invitations to Gov
[ Robie's reception were sent to friends in Maine
: and other States. The invitations were en-
o graved on heavy cream-tinted board anC
read as follows:
"The Governor and Mrs. Robie request the homo
of your company Thursday evening Feb. 18th
at S15 o'cl ok Granite Hall, Au susta, Me-. S83
The favor of an answer is requested
The reception will be natoble and brillian
. affair. The decorations will be new and mag
a nifcent, eclipsing anything ever seen in th
city before. Chandler's orchestra of Portland
is to furnish the music. Some superb toilet
g will be worn, and if 1 can fish out pair O
a white gloves and dress suit shall be presen
i to give the rerders of the PRESS full partIcu
IS lars.
II Commander Morris Dying.
n PROVIDENCE, Feb. 11.-Commander Morri
!. Of the United States is sinking rapidly at New
port. His father and brother have arrived.