The Portland daily press., 1885-02-24
Special D. the Press.)
AUGUSTA, Feb, %.

On January Oath bill was received here,
sent me by Hon. VIM. L. Putnam and Monday
at p. M, it was introduced into the Senate. l
sent a full copy OF the bill to the Portland
papers, it was printed in full in those papers
of the 10th inst, and the City Council had the
matter under discussion during that week.
The railroad committee assigned a hearing on
Feb. 4th, snd gave public notice in the PRESS
and Argus OF an adjourned hearing on Feb.
11th, again to Feb. 18th and again to Feb.
18th when the hearing was had
Feb. 1lth Hon. VIM l.. Putnam put in the
bill in new draft. Jan. oath and Feb. 14th I
was in correspondence with Mayor King ON
the petition desired by the city to protect its
interest. have tried in every way possible
to give full information to the citizens of Port
land of the contents of the bill. The Portland
Advertiser gave full history of the road and
the comparison OF the new draft with the first
bill.
Thursday, Feb 10Th, Mayor King, Hon. J,
81. Drummond and myself had an interview
and satisfactorily arranged the details of the
bill SO as to protect the city's interest--there
being no objection to the bill and that the
hearing before the committee should be as
brief as possible. When at dinner City Solici-
tor Looney came to me and said: "Mr. Chap
man is here,a I have asked him to speak for
the bill" replied that Mr.. Drummond and
myself had arranged that the hearing should
be short and that the committee would not
wish to hear Chapman; and that as soon as
the case was presented by the attorneys we
should close the hearing. AT this hearing this
programme was adhered to. and both Senator
Kimball and myself moved at the same in
slant 10 close the hearing. Mr.. Chapman, be-
ing Introduced by Mr.. Looney, came forward
and stated that he wished to be heard on an
amendment to the bill, proposing to submit
the question of sale or lease of the
road to vote of the people The
committee then gave him full opportunity
to present his argument, and later, to prepare
on onf fO fhn II xryfi i0l,
the committee declined to adopt-not because
they were opposed to it, bat because it was
shown by Mr.. Chapman, that he happened to
be in the city; that he did not come here ex-
pectiDg to be present at the hearing, or to
offer an amendment of the kind; and that he
did not represent any petitioners for the
amendment. He said he had not seen the
bill and was not familiar with the provision,
(althoUgh it had been before the City
Council and printed several times in the daily
Against his testimony was that Of His
Honor the Mayor, Hon. j. 81. Drummond and
City Solicitor Looney who stated that this pro-
position had never been suggested to them, or
mentioned in their hearing; that they did not
believe it was the sentiment OF any consider
able part OF the community. Hence your COM
mittee to be consistent could not make so rad-
Cal change in the bill OF SO great lmpurtznee
to please Mr.. Chapman.
have stated what occurred in committee.
few days ago 1 reeei ed the following let
ter:
Dear Sir--It seems to us that an amendment to
the p. & o. r. r. bill submitting the whole matter
to the people ought to be had to protect our in
terests and for the future prosperity of Portland We
hope as one of our representatives you may be able
to see this matter in the same light that we do.
SHAW, HAMMOND g. CARNEY.
replied that was in favor of the amend
ment proposed by them, and if knew that it
was desired by any considerable number of the
tax payers OF Portland, that 1 should be
pleased to amend the bill.
No man here or elsewhere can truthfully
charge me with being unmindful of the rights
of the people. My vote here in this Honorable
Senate has always gone to maintain their
rights When the act was before us to enable
the county commissioners of PiseataQuis conn
ty. to borrow money to build court house,
without first submitting the question to vote
| OF the citizens of that county, my vote was
| for the rights of the people.
Saturday evening public meeting was
| called Dy the Mayor of Portland on petition of
| some 70 of the tax payers "For the purpose of
consulting upon the public good in regard to
the p. q o. Railroad bill now pending before
| the Legislature" The result of that confer
encs was that the meeting resolyed-"That
while We opproye of the aforesaid bill,we ask of
the legislature that an amendment to it be
added, whereby any sale or lease of the said
| railroad oy the city council shall not be valid
until euch sale or lease has been ratified by a
majority vote OF the people," 1t gives me
great pleasure TO move to amend the bill in ac-
| cordancs With the wishes of my constitueD ts
| and now move to amend Section by insert
| ing after the word Thereto in the last line
| the following:
provided, however that no lease or agreement for
the sale OF lease of interest of said city in said
railroad under the provisions of this act or of any
previous act shall be valid until the same shall be
Tatlhed and confirmed by two-Lhirds vote of the
legal voters of the city OF Portland voting in ward
meetings duly called according to law.
COMMITTEE HEARINGS.
| The committee on legal affairs voted to re-
port the bill to prevent the spread of infectious
and contagious diseases, applying to sewers
&C.; also bill fixing the compensation anG
duties OF county commissioners. 1t gives then
| $3.50 per diem for attendance and eight cent
per mile for travel, and requires them at tht
end OF each yearto make a statement of the
| financial condition ofthe county. Also bill
| allowing clerks of courts $3.50 per day for at
tendance upon the Supreme Jndinial- and So
perIcr courts. and So day for attendance up.
on the court of county commissioners provided
that the aggregate amount of their fees in
| Guiding fees for attendance, shall not exceed
the amount of salary now allowed by law. NJ
clerk shall be paid for attendance upon NOR,
4
Legislation inexpedient will be reported OF
the dynamite bill. Ought to pass will be re
ported on the bill creating municipal court i,
the town of Norway.
| MISCELLANEOUS.
The act relative to the citizenship of person
connected with the Soldiers Home at Togu
provides that the inmates of that iustItutio,
shall be deemed citizens OF the respectiy,
towns in which they had legal residence.
The act reported relative TO the licensing @
private detectives provides that tho Governor
with the advice Of the Council, NAV licens
not exceeding twenty private detectives +
serve for the term of four years. The fee fo
a license is put at $50 Each person licsuse
is to give bonds with two sureties.
A petition was presented from tho count
commissioners of Waldo asking for authorit
to obtain loan OF 5000, payable before tn
3lst ui December next. The money is IN n
towards the defraying Of expenses of tn
county
Tgenty-one years ago yesterday, Gen. Til
den, secretary OF the Senate. made his escap
from Libby prison through the famous tunne
One hundred Union soldiers made their e,
cape, more than one-half being captured.
Thirty bills and resolves we're sent to tn
Governor today for his approval, tbs larges
number that has been sent him at any on
time during the session.
1b accordance with usage Speaker Hanli
will tomorrow yacate his chair and Spsake
pro tenn will be elected By the House. In al