The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-03-19
LEGISLATORS HAVE CHANGE OF HEART.
The Senate Discusses Druggists,
Doctors and RumseIiers.
The Railroad Committee object to
the Argus's Talk.
rhe.Woman Suffrage Bill Has Pas sed
Peacefully Away.
Especial to the Press.l

Especial to the Pressl
AUGUSTA, March 18.-A meeting of Re
publican senators was held tonight to dis.
cuss the Australian ballot bill which comes
up In the Senate tomorrow. The talk and
proceedings were informal. but it was shown
that the bill would have with from five to
nine majority, sufficient number to pass II
even If the Democrats voted againtit. The
sentiment of the meeting was taken too In
reference to the bill introduced by Senator
Spear, applying practically to the entire
state. Members of the House are said to be
experiencing change of heart and the talk
now is that the bill has good chance Of sue
cess there.
who Shall Compoud Medicines?
The bill providing for the registration of
druggists came up in the Senate this morn
ing, and Mr.. Stewart of York offered an
amendment to strike out the clause exempt
lug practcing physicians from the operations
of the bill. Mr.. Stewart wanted the bill
more stringent in order to accomplish what
he deemed necessary to stop the evil of rum
selling under the guise of the business of dis.
pensing medicines.
Senator Rogers also offered an amendment
designed to allow physicians to compound
medicines.
Senator Ryder said that If the friends of
the first amendment would make it apply
only to places of 1000 inhabitants or over he
would vote for 1t and for the bill Other
wise he could not do so. In the small towns
| there were physicians who kept medicines
and drugs in their offices for the benefit of
their patients and the Senator did not think
that these physicians who had beenlin busi-
ness for years should be required to submit
to this examination.
Senator Grindle thought that the amend.
ment did not reach the case. 1t was a mat
ter which woIld effect many more persons
than those physicians to whom the amend.
ment referred.
Senator Ryder said that In his town of
Springfield, If the amendment was adopted,
as he understood 1t, it would be necessary
for people in want Of medicines OF drugs to
go 10 or Is miles to get them. He had no
doubt the same stats of affairs would be
found to exist in many other towns.
Finally. upon motion of Mr.. Giles of Ok
ford, the bill was tabled.
Insurance Bill Passed In the Sem
ate.
Senator Swanton called up this morning
the bill reported by the committee on insur-
ance, providing that no persons not residents
of Maine shall do the business of insurance
agents in this state. Mr.. Swanton objected
to the bill on the ground that it discrimina-
ted against persons who might be disposed
to do perfectly legitimate business simply
because they did not reside in Maine. The
Senator submitted whether or not this bill
would not create barriers to friendly COM
mercial relations between the states. Mr..
Swanton would accordingly move to indefiu-
itely postpone the bill. 1t was true that the
state of New Hamshire had passed such
law. Mr. Swanton said that If his motion
was adopted he should move resolve to be
sent to the legislature If New Hampshire
calling attention to the action of the legisla-
ture of Maine and asking the repeal of the
present law in New Hampshire.
Senator Libby Of Androscoggin, favored
the bill. He said it was asked for by the in
surance agents Of the state and by the for
eign insurance companies themselves
through the boards Of underwriters which
represented them here. BY similar laws
Maine agents were excluded from doing bus
iness in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New
Hampshire and Vermont. 1t would seem to
be just then that this bill should be passed
for the protection Of Maine agents. Senator
Libby also referred to the injury which
might be done by irresponsible persons COM
ing into the state as agents for foreign CON-
panies. Senator Libby presented an amend
ment excepting assessment, life or casualty
companies and steam boiler Insurance COM
panies from the provisions Of the bill.
Senator Walton raised the question Of the
constitutionality of this measure as affecting
the relations Of different states.
Senator Swanton said that as there seemed
to be some doubt as TO the effect Of the
amendment he would mUve that the bill be
recommitted.
Senator Walton moved that the bill be as
signed for further consideration on Friday.
aud called for the yeas and nays. The vote
on Mr.. Walton's motion resulted IL in favGr
and II against, and the motion was lost.
The question recurred on Mr.. Swanton's mo.
WIN w AhuOhhteCiy PootPOhCs ohu thas WOO
also lost. The bill was then passed to be en-
crossed.
Stopping to Count the Cost.
The resolve appropriating $375,OOO for the
Eastern Maine Insane Hospital at Bangor,
came up this morning by regular assignment
Mr.. Hersey of Buckfeld, said he did not
question the measure In the least, but be
would call attention to the present financial
outlook of the state. The finance committee
have prepared statement of finances SO that
all may see for themselves the exact condi
tion. 1t is now being printed and will short
be on the desks. He had taken pains to Sc
| cure the figures in the aggregate from the
| treasurer's office. At tax of three mills
| which is three-Quarters of mill larger thar
the rate for the past two years, at the end o
1892 the state would be $4,000 in debt. Thi
is saying nothing about the direct tax, whicl
there is some doubt about the states Deinl
able to use itself. Mr.. Hersey moved tina
the resolve be laid on the table. On motion
| OF Mr.. Porter of Bangor, 1t was assigned Il
Friday.
| Oidtown Also objects.
| Mr.. Mullen of Oldtown presented to th
House this morning memorial from tn
selectmen of Oldtown in regard to the valu
alton of said town. They claim the valutiol
disproportionate and excessive and ask tha
before final action is taken the town shal
have an opportunity to be heard in th
| premises.
Good sye to the Women Suffrage Sill
In the House this morning Mr.. Hawes o
Deering moved to take the committee repor
on the female suffrage bill from the table
which was done. This bill was reported ad
versely from the committee Februar
18th. the report was accepted AM
sent to the Senate. The Senat
non-concurred and voted to recommit t
the committee on the judiciary so that
minority report could be made. 1t cam
back to the House which voted to adhere t
its former action and sent it back to th
Senate which voted to insist and asked for
committee of conference. This was the cor
dition Of the bill when called up by MI
Hawes. As the House had adhered it wa
necessary to reconsider before any furthe
action could be taken.
Mr.. Harrington of Norridgewock was OF