Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-01-28
COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
Several Hearings Monday Afternoon
Not Much OF General interest.

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Not Much OF General Interest.
In the committee on towns there was q
hearing on the petition Of J. c. Adams and
1903 others for village corporation for
Cherry field. No one appeared in opposition
and the committee will report fought to
pass"
The petition of Paul S. Merriman asking
that Ragged Island be annexed to Harps.
we'll was next in order. Mr.. Merriman
appeared 10 favor and there was one Cum
berland selectman present who stated why
the leland was taxed. The committee will
report "ought to pass" ri sg air,
There were several hesrings upon the
committee on Legal Affairs Tuesday after
noon.
The question Of enlarging the powers of
the Bath Water Supply Company and the
Pejepscot Water Company Of Brunswick
so that the two companies may consolidate
and Din their pipes came before the COM
mittee. Hon. S. J. Young Of Brunswick
and Hon. II. NJ. Heath of Augusta and
others appeared in favor of the bill.
Others representing the Bath City Govern
ment. while not speaking strongly against
the bill expressed the fear that it would in
measure invalidate the original charter
Hon. J. W. Wakefield spoke as did Mayor
Pstten of Bath, and expressed this opinion.
Mr.. Heath said that no court of equity
you'd render q decision against the origi-
nal charters.
The next matter to come before the above
committee wss the bill relating to the
Lewiston Gre department. Representative
+. F. Callahan appeared for the bill as did
Mayor McGill.cuddy and County Attorney
NOVEL;, who vas present and spoke in
favor of the measure. The opinions were
to the effect that the fire department being
in charge of life and property should not
be 10 sny way connected with politics. and
be managed as a private corporation. Since
the salaries connected with this department
had been increased it had cone more into
politics, though no. more so than in other
cities OF the size OF Lewiston. The COM
niitee is not expected to report today on
,he above matters. Among the nlstters
considered at the meeting yesterday of
;he committee Oh the judiciary
was the order relating to the expediency of
repeating the law relatipg TO hawkers and
peddiers. No one appeared in favor of the
refeal of the law, and Representative Shaw
% Bath, came in and said the people OF his
city were satisfied to the Law beiog in force.
No objection however, was raised to the
bill providing that maimed ard blind people
ne exempt from paying peddlers license.
The Judiciary will report this morning on
an act to amend the charter Of the Maine
Wster Company.
At the meeting Of the committee on legs
affairs the bill to amend the Law relating to
towns liability for damages in case of acct
dents on the highways was taken from the
table. This amendment provides that the
towns chsli be liable, If the authorities
have had reasonable notice of the defec: in
the highway whereby the accident occurred.
The law provides that authorities shall
have q hours notice Of the defect before
the accident occurs in order to have the
town liable for damages. Those in
favor of the amendment say th.t under the
law IS it now stands there i, little chance
for damages to be recovered from the town:
The committee will probably report favor
ably.
Senator Wilbur's bill to amend the in
solvency law 20 that no debtor for an
amount less than $500 shall be allowed to
pass through insolvency came up for con-
sideration. The committee will report
ought not to pass.
Rev. J. J. emallwood's..LsctuTe.
There was indeed a mass meeting in
Representatives Hall last evening to listen
to the eloquent address of Rev. j. J.
Smallwood on the Race Problem in |
America" The seats were not only filled
but the asles, space in front of the seats |
and the galleries were packed with ladies' |
and gentlemen. The speaker was intro
duced BY President Libby Of the Senate. |
MI. SmAllwood is colored gentlemen, and |
is possessed in marked degree with the |
genius of oratory. Five years ago
he was An untutored negro In I
the lumber sramps of Virginia, today
he is capable of discussing some of the |
great questions and discussing them to the
edifcation Of cultured audiences. His /
remarks last evening received much /
applause. and At the close . liberol contri- /
button Was made. II IL safe TO say that |
should Mr.. SrnsIl~ood ever choose to |
speak sgain in our city be would command /
q large audience.