The Somerset reporter., 1889-01-24

The bill introduced In the Senate this
forenoon by senator Merrill, will bring
before the legislature the peculiar hard
ships of Pennington. he bill provides
that the property of literary institutions
not occupied by them for their own pur
poses, shall be liable to taxation a. other
property Is. At present all such property
is exempt. Senator Merrill tells the
Press correspondent how Pennington is
hardened by the present law. In the fire
of lssj Pennington people lost s265,ooo.
They went pluekily to work to rebuild.
just then Mrs Bcichrr died and her will,
tran >ferred $50 600 If real estate. most
Of 1t in the very heart Of the village, to
Bates College. taking il out of the way of
taxation. Part of this property is row
of wooden buildings which are the most
risky property in the village. ON account
of the risk from these buildings, and on
account Of the lack Of an adequate water
supply, the premiums have been raised 30
per cent, and the extra amount thus taken
FOR insurance Is estimated at $4,000 yeBrly.
"a large tax on village of 300 voters.
Last year the village raised s2s00 for fire
purposes and they are now discussing
The adyi~ability of paving SljO0 annually
for water supply This makes the tax
e. very high indeed. But not one cent
wards these taxes does this property
pay. ndtr the present law Bates Col
lcgr could buy $500 worth more Of
property, and then another so 900 worth
until there might not be "A piece of taxa
Ole property left in Pennington. TIN
bill presented by Colonel Merrill puts lit
crary Institutions on the same footing
I al i'm all rallutAt14 az.AffufiAnS kxhlFh
taxes on all property except that used by
them for their owu purposes. The bill
would relieve Pennington. and would ap
ply tocyrry other town or city that mas
Ind itscIf in the situation Of Pennington
Also BIZ an act IL amend chap - OF
The revised statutes relating To the BOart
Of Agriculture
In the Senate there have been presentee
by Mr. Walton of Somerset Petition OF
y. ;. llunnrwell and 80 others Of Madl
son aud Dr. :. r. Green and GS others ui
SCION for repeal of the insolyrnt law
Also petition of Martha F Bunker aut
80 Others of Arson, Hattie NJ. PhilnrooI
and - others Of st. AlhanS and w \
Cook and y others Of lIartIand for la"
10 prohibit the sale II tobacco in an, slofm Il
minors also petition Of Martha +. Bunker an,
T. others II Arson and " A. Cook and :,
others Of Ilaftland for protection Ia girls. Ais
petition If Alice NJ. Cook and 20 others and A
;, Cook and 81 others TO provide for female sui
fragc at municipal elections.
BY Mr. Merrill Of Franklin Pcution Of Al
bert Ctowell ct ais. that the terms Of the Law
relating To divisional fences Of wild and i'm
proved lands may b. better defined.
On motion Of Mr.. Walton of Somerset. Or
drrcd' Tina, the Committee on Fish and Gam
inquire into the eNpcdiency of projecting truu
in rarlin pond, and in tributaries aud outlet.
Petition Of john T.. EIodgden and seventy
i've others Of New Portland for appropriation
in aid Of preliminary survey Of Carraba>sei aus
Canadian Railroad. Also of John p. Clari
and twelve others fur charter TO construct
telegraph and telephone line from Ansol
through New Portland, Emhdcn, Lexington
Highland, Dead River and Flagstaff, to Eu>tl
in Franklin county.
A hearing was given by the Committee ~
railroads on the petition to amend the charte
To the Somerset and Waldo railfoad Company
Hon. f. r. webb appeared in behalf Of tn
Somerset road in opposition 10 the extension
and V. X. futile and James Harmon IN favo
Of the petitioners.
Mr.. Walton presented bill to lrgalilc tn
doings of the town Of Embdcn. The moderate
has been in the habit Of administering the ontl
Ia town officers, whereas it should be done by
Justice Of the peace