The Portland daily press., 1889-02-21

Mr.. Peakes made the point that these COM
mltments represented more than the actual
number OF women, as some women were
committed more than once. In York county,
in 1887, for instance, there were
five commitments, but only two women
were involved. In Cumberland about
third OF the commitments were for women
committed, more than once. Mr.. Peakes
further called attention to the fact that un-
der the reformatory bill woman could be
sentenced for three years for drunkenness
while a man Is only sentenced for thirty
days. For other offences the sentences of
women, would be disproportionate. He did
not believe. in such sentences, The ex-
pense. too, for the State should be consider
ed. 1t would be $4,000 this year and an ex-
pense for every year after.
sts- Stearns of Caribou replied to Mr..
Peakes. Ir- Stearns believed the institu-
tion necessary. ior the sake of humanity
and good morals. His speech was impress
sive and was listened to with favor and close
attention.
Mr.. Looney took the same side and labor
ed in very earnest speech to convince the
House of the need of the institution. He
spoke of the great success of similar institu-
tions in other States. His effort was loudly
applauded
Major Dickey took the same sde
So did DIR. Grindle of Mount Desert, who
made one Of the best speeches of the debate.
Mr.. Chadbourne of Biddeford opposed,
and speaking from long experience as On
officer, he undoubtedly exerted heavy in
fiuence against the bill. He argued that the
institution was not needed and would hurt
instead of reform women offenders.
Mr.. Talbot of East Machias took similar
ground against the bill.
Mr.. Madigan, of Houlton also opposed.
Mr. Madlgan is graceful speaker and
young man of education; but he gave his
hearers the impression that bis facts are not
to be relied upon by referring to the site
| Portland offers + Capitol as "a piece of
swamp land" Mr.. Madigan Thought the
State could not afford the expense.
Mr.. Wing. of Manchester read commenda-
tory letters from Judges Walton and Robin
son, both OF when saio the institution was
needed.
Mr.. Wiswell, of Ellsworth, closed the
debate, speaking in favor Of the reformatory.
He did his best-and that is always very
well indeed--but the tide was too strong the
other way.
Mr.. Dane, of Kennebunk, who occupied
the speakers chair during the debate. here
put the question in response of cries for the
vote. The bill was defeated by vote of so
to 80, the yeas and nays being as follows:
YEAs-Adams of Limerick, Achorn, Alden Bar
ker Bennett Burnham, Clark of Saco, Clason,
Cole. Cook. Curtis Of Paris. Curtis Of Perkins,
Engel, Foster, French, Frees, Gowel Grndle of
MT Desert, Hamilton, Hawkins, HiDckley, Hoyey,
JORDAN Ma6,nn Of Nathan Nathan yoy Lamb LoSney M@alett @
0sgood, Pottle, Purington, Race, Record, Robie,
Ross shaw, Spoford Stearns, Thomas, Turner,
Wakefield, Warren Of ,Castine, Wheeler, Wilbur,
NAYs-Adams Of Belgrade, Allen of Mercer,
Allen OF Wellington, Andrews, Bird, Bither,
Chaplain, Chapman, Closson, Cloutier, Cote, Cros-
BY, Dame Dlngley, Doe, Emerson. Ferguson.
win, Gordon, Green Grindel of Hallowell, Han
Icy, Head, Hichborn, Hill of Augusta. Hill Of
Mars Hill, Holbrook; Hutchins, ingalls,, Jordan Of
Lombard, McCabe Mcintyre. Madlgap, Marden,
Marshall, Maxim, Merrill. Morrill,, Mollton OF
Wal wales Murch NewcOmb, Newton, o'Brleps Pal
mer Poor, Robinson, Sheahan Smith, Sprague,
Talbot, Taylor, Thurlow, Tilton, Tyler, Yiekery,
Warren of Deer Isle, Weed, Wentworth, Whitten
OF Portland, Woodsum-Y So; nays, 80.
Mrs. Stevens and Mrs Hunt, and many
other ladies witnessed the debate, and were
disappointed at the vote D
The Prison Labor Bill. lA
In the Senate this forenoon the prison
labor bill was the main topic of discussion.
This bill would repeal the law passed two
years ago to divide the labor of the convic.s
SO that only certain per cent should be en-
ployed in any one industry, and would add
to the law the following section:
So far as practicable the industries upon which
said conyicts shall be employed shall be the manu-
facture of articles not elsewhere manufactured in
this State, and in the manufacture of other ar
ticles there shall be as many different industries
carried on and as eacal distribution of labor
among them as is consistent with a sound busi-
ness management Of the prison. The prison gov
ernment shall cause to be prepared on or before
July !, 1883, a scbedulelof an the dlnerent az.
retail price thereof, which
schedule shall be added to from
time TO time IN case the manufacture
of articles not contained therein is begun and
said schedule shall be revised thereafter, 70 take
wear All articles manufactured al the prison
and sold at retail shall be sold at the schedule
price, but discount of twenty per cent therefrom