The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-01-16
SOME PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
An Important Division on the Prison
Labor Bill.
Measures Affecting the Relations OF
Employers and Employed.
State valuatIon-somethIng About
Many important Matters.
Especial to the Press.l


AUGUSTA, Jan. 15.-There was an i'm
Representative Warren. of Castine, moved
that Mr.. Rand's prison labor bill, which had
come down from the Senate, be referred in
concurrence to the State prison committee.
Mr.. Wiswell of Ellsworth was at once on
his feet He said that this bill involved a
question of great Importance. The carriage
and harness makers of the State had thought
themselves unduly burdened when the con-
vlcts were kept at work turning out car
riages and harnesses in competition with
free labor. The Republican party in Its con-
vention three years ago had promised relief,
and the last legislature had passed an act of
relief which this bill proposed to repeal.
Now the bill of relief passed two years ago
had been drawn up by the Judiciary commit
tee after that committee had studied the
question carefully. Mr.. Wiswell wanted
the question studied carefully again this
year and thought the same committee, the
judiciary, should take the bill. So he moved
an amendment to that effect.
But on vote the noes prevailed, Mr.. Wis
wells amendment was defeated and it was
voted in concurrence that the bill should go
to the State prison committee. That COM
mittee is composed of Senators Hunt of
Waldo, Clark Of Aroostook, Frost Of York,
and Representatives Heald of Waterville,
Nealey of Lewiston, Plummer of Bruins
wick, Merrill Of Solon. Record Of East Liver
more, Sweetsir of Hampden and Kaler Of
Scarboro. Senator Hunt was member of
the last council and probably has some ideas
on the subject fixed by experience, Mr..
Heald of Waterville was member Of the
committee two years ago and has made
study Of the prisons condition.
The prison committee held an informal
meeting this afternoon, considering this bill
among other matters. The sentiment of the
committee seemed to be In favor of the bill,
though this may not indicate that it will be
reported without change. Some are in favor
Of changing the per cent Of convicts that
may be employed In any one trade from 20
per cent as under the present law, to 80 per
cent -ate
Another matter considered was the dis
count Of time for good behavior. Now the
man In for long time gets the greater pro-
pOrtionai discount. The committee think
the proportion should be the same for all
criminals, whether In for long or short term.
steam heating was also considered.
tiNs Labor interests.
Representative Lyons Of Vinalhaven
appeared before the labor committee today
In behalf Of the bill now before the legisla-
ture to amend the fortnightly payment bill
Of that session, so that it shall apply to per
sons and firms" as well as corporations. The
last legislature left big hole by which many
large concerns have escaped fortnightly
payments simply becsuse they. are not cor
porations, while smaller concerns that are
corporations come under the law. Mr. Lyons
said that in Vinalhaven there were firms just
as well able to pay f0rtnightly payments as
is the Bodwell Granite Company; but
the law compels the latter to pay fortnightly,
while the firms can pay monthly as before
the law was passed. The committee are in
favor of the amendment advocated by Mr..
Lyons. They also favor an amendment that
will make the fortnightly payment arrange
ment apply to railroads as we'll as other cor
p0rations, and have instructed Mr.. Looney
to prepare the bill with that amendment.
The hearing on Senator Lords important
bill to'amend the ten hour law In relation to
the employment of women and minors has
been fixed for Tuesday, Jan. %. The move
ment in this matter is said to be quite strong,
and petitions will be presented from many
working women asking that they be allowed
the same privileges as men in contracting for
their LABOR. On the other ha nd the friends
of the ten hour law see no reason for the
change, and there is likely to be very strong
opposition indeed. ~