Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-02-07
work sf The cs..its.ss.
ON TEMPERANCE.


Gen. Neal Dow Of Portland. and R. W.
Dunn of Waterville, appeared before the
committee in favor of the several amendments
to the liquor law. The amendments emanated
from the State Temperance Society and pro-
vided for an increase in the amount of fines
imprisonment for the first offence; that con-
victiOn under any clause of the Maine law
may be alleged as q previous conviction
against person charged with violating any
other clause of the law: for making the pay
ment of a special tax to the United States,
prima facie evidence of violation of the
Maine law. They required that all offenders
of the Law be promptly tried and if convicted
that sentence should at once be imposed.
They make all liquors in drug stores liable to
seizure except alcohol; provide that part of
the fine be paid to the complainant; provide
that the profits of liquor sold by town or city
agents shall be paid into the county treasury
and not into the town or citv treasury: make
the party who brings or carries liquor to
any one the agent for the seller and liable to
prosecution under the law. Mr.. Dow said,
if the committee adopt the amendments pro
posed, very few liquor sellers will continue
the business. II will not pay. All discretion
is taken from the courts. In every
case, it is so much fine and so much Jail, and
tuc CouIts Cduuut III duy way uItlltulen either.
No action was taken by the Committee in
regard to the amendments; 7emonstrants
against the submitting of the prohbitory
amendment to the people were given leave to
withdraw. Will report ought to pass on
amendment to the liquor law providing that
officers who fail to perform their duty shall
be fined; also the same on an amendment pro-
viding that a notice shall be served on an
owner of a building used as dram shop, so
that he shall not be ignorant OF the fact that
liquor is sold there.
OK INTERIOR WATERS.
The BodwelI Water Power Co. question
was up before the committee YESTERDAY
Amendments to the proposed charter asked
by the company, were presented by the OPP
position, VIM. ii. McCrillis appearing for
the same. The question which is now in
contest between the parties as follows and
which is brought up by the amendments is
as follows: The company want to build a
dam on the Saltwater branch of the Penob-
scot river sufficient in height to hold the re-
served water to be created by dam on Old
town Falls and regulated in its height by
board Of engineers appointed by the Supreme
Court as not to interfere with the natural
flow going down the Saltwater branch. The
opposition in the amendments hold that this
height shall be regulated by jury trial in
stead of by the Supreme Court or IA board of
engineers appointed by the court. The OPP
position object to the court fixing the height
of the dam, and desire it to be left to a jury
trial dam on Oldtown Fails as proposed
will create reserve of water nearly seven
miles in length with an average width of 400
feet, thus adding, as estimated by engineers,
about 1000 horse power to its present capa-
city and must necessarily be beneficial to all
parties, both below Oldtown and on the Still
water branch. The Bodwell Water Power
Co. will be satisfied with any speedy and sat
isfactory method of regulating the relative
rights between the opposing parties that shall
not involve them in the tedious and costly
litigation experienced in other States. On bill
to allow Amasa Howe to build booms and
dams on the Aroostook river will report
ought to pass ought to pass on bill incor-
porating Passadumkeag Boom Co. leave to
withdraw on petition of Frank p Emerson
for permission to build dam and convey
water by an acqueduct.
On LEGAL AFFAIRS.
Voted to report the bill incorporating
Boothbay village corporation. C. H. Fisher,
Esq, appeared for the petitioners. There
was strong opposition, but after a hearing
to report the bill. To report a
bill amending the charter of the Portland
Water Co. to report bill incorporating
Portland Electric Light Co.; ought to pass
on bill Incorporating city of Waterville !;
voted to report bill increasing price of board
of prisoners in jail; voted to report the bill
to abolish the town charter of Lexington.
Somerset Co.; voted to incorporated the
Carribasset Land and Lumber Co.
OK THE JUDICIARY.
This committee gave protracted hearing
on a section of the prevention of cruelty bill
abolishing the sport of pigeon shooting. w.
w. Thomas, of Portland, managed the case
in opposition to the measure, and f. S. Rid
lon. of Portland, in favor. Mayor Vickery,
Joshua Nve and Others appeared as wit
nesses. Laid on the table until next meet
ing.
On BANKS AND BANKING.
The committee voted yesterday to retain
the clause in the savings bank bill allowing
banks to invest in Nebraska and Kansas mu
nicipal and county bonds; leave to withdraw
reported on petition to incorporate Savings
Fund Association.
On REFORM School.
Voted to visit the Reform School on
Thursday next; will report legislation mex
pedient on Rust's order to turn the Reform
School into an Insane Asylum.