The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-03-31
THE GOVERNMENT HAD ONE WITNESS.
Mr.. Heath Had Not Learned His
Lesson So They Adjourned.
The Next Thing on the Docket Is
the Tax Bill.
And After that, on Friday, Will
Come Adjournment.
Especial to the Press

AUGUSTA, March 30-The witnesses for
the defence In the Hamilton case are here In
full force tonight, a large number arriving
on the evening train. The two branches Of
the legislature met in joint convention this
afternoon for the purpose of continuing the
hearing, but nothing of importance was done
and after short session the convention was
suspended until IL O'Clock tomorrow morn
ing. Counsel for the petitioners called only
one witness, Mr.. R. w. Kinney of Bidde.
ford, who testified that about two months
ago on Main street in Biddeford, in the day
time, he saw Judge Hamilton in a state of
intoxication Judge Hamilton could not
walk straight. On, cross-examination the
witness said he had no conversation with
Judge Hamilton at that time. Judge Ham
ilton frequently passed the witnesses place
of business. The witness had never, with
this exception, seen the respondent when he
appeared to lbe intoxicated. Mr.. Baker Of
counsel for the petitioners, stated at this
point, that he expected on the next train the
officer who was given subp9nas for several
witnesses who disappeared. He desired to
put the officer on the stand to testify to the
diss Observed that in due the dssaGs ste%pt wss ts
to find the persons named in the subp9nas.
There was also piece of newly discovered
evidence for the petitioners. on which sew
eTal @ witnesses were expected to testify
were now on their way to Augusta. He
could not say, however, that he should put
them on the stand. as he had had no oppor-
tunity to confer with them, and so could not
say how important their testimony would
prove. If he did use the evidence, Mr.. Ba-
ker did not think that it would consume
more than fifteen minutes.
Mr. Heath said that so far as the testim0-
ny of the officer was concerned he should
not object to the time of its presentation
during the hearing: but he should raise the
question of its admissibility. Mr.. Heath
further stated that it had been arranged that
MIR. Drummond Of Portland. also of the
counsel for the defence. should open the
case. Mr.. Drummond was i'll, and as Mr..
ute time to the consideration of the case to
ask for time to go over the case
and pick out what was material. He had
had no opportunity to talk with the wit
nesses for the defence and his knowledge of
the case was largely derived from what the
other side had presented. Mr.. Heath asked
for only few hours. He wanted an oppor-
tunity to devote the evening to it and would
be prepared to go on at seven o'clock In the
morning If the House saw fit to meet at that
hour. Mr.. Skolfeld of Harpswell, promptly
moved that the convention meet at 9 a. m.
but others did not favor that early hour and
the motion was amended to provide for meet
lug az eleven O'CLOCK. Inc session was tnen
suspended until that hour. 1t is thought
that the hearing will be finished on Wednes-
day. 1t then remains for the two houses to
act upon the matter separately. II after
hearing the evidence of smajOIity of each
branch believe the address should be adopted
It probably will be, a two. thirds vote not be-
ing required. Then the council must act on
the matter with their advice the Gsvernor
would then be authorized to sign an order
removing the respondent from his position.
The treasurer's clerks are busy making up
the tax bill and it will be ready by the time
the Hamilton trial is over. Final adjourn
ment is looked for Friday.
The Westbrook Railroad Matter.
Mr.. Stewart in the Senate this afternoon
moved to reconsider the vote whereby the
Senate persisted in It's action in referring the
bill for charter for the Portland and West
brook street railway to the next Legislature.
Mr.. Haines of Kennebec, could not see