The Portland daily press., 1891-02-17
HERE BEGlNNETH THE SEVENTH WEEK.
Observance by the Legislature of
dsAs General Sherman's Death.
Street Railway Men Talk About Hard
Times.
Several Matters OF interest to Port
land Considered.
Especial 10 the Press.l

and legislative branches Of the state govern
ment united this afternoon In giving ex-
preston to the SORROW of the people of
Maine at the death of General Sherman. AT
ter the two houses had convened the follow
ing message was received from the Governor:
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
1t becomes my SAD duty TO announce 10 you the
death of William Teeumseh Sherman at his home
in New York Saturday afternoon at 1.50 O'Clock.
by ali patriotic citizens. Il removes from our
midst the last Of that great trio Of generals who
won worldwide distinction in the great war of
the Rebellion, and whose names and achieve
mentS will be as enduring as the history OF the
great republic whose integrity and free institu-
tions they did so much to preserve and insure.
The career of General Sherman was consplc-
uously honorable and patriotic one. He rose to
No man went before him in love of country. He
died full OF years and hon0rs in the warIneSt love
aatie5 mourns NJ him II Is ttinS maj Maine should
give expression 10 the profound sorrow that this
sad event has brought 10 the hearts OF her people.
EDWIN Q. BURLEIGH
In the Senate, Mr.. Ryder of Penobscot
moved the passage of the resolutions which
are printed below. Mr. Ryder spoke briefly
but said enough to express in eloquent and
appropriate language the feelings which
prompted the passage of the resolutions.
He referred to the dead Generals achiev-
ments during the war of the Rebellion, and
then spoke Of the position which he after
wards held in the affections Of his country
men.
Mr.. Walton of Somerset seconded Mr..
Ryder's motion. Mr.. Walton referred par
ticularly to Sherman's famous march through
the South, paying a high tribute to the gen.
ius of the great warrior Of whom he spoke.
The Senate then passed the resolutions by
O rising vote.
In the House, Mr.. Peaks of Dover moved
their passage, adding his eul0gy to those
pronounced in the Senate. Mr.. White of
Bangor moved that the resolutions be adopt
ed by rising vote, which was done. Both
branches adjourned Immediately after pass
the solutions, which follow:
Resolved, That the Legislature OF Maine learns
with deep regret Of the death of General William
I. Sherman, great general, true patriot, and a
citizen whom the nation has loved to honor and
Resolved, That the tenderest sympathies of the
people of Name are present with his family In It's
time OF grief and that copy of these resolutions
be transmitted by the Secretary Of State to the
Resolved, That both branches OF the Iegisla-
ture, the House concurring, do now adjourn, as
The Tax Hearing.
With the commencement Of the week the
special committee on taxation resumed their
hearings on the great and perhaps the most
important question of the session-taxation.
The special subjects for the hearing were
street railways. The petitions were assess
ments on abutters, petition of Bath munich
pal officers relating to taxing corporations,
petitions for exemption Of live stock from
taxation of street railroads the tax commits
sion recommend local assessment and tax
on their property, the same as on other prop
erty of the city.
+. III. Clergue of Bangor, appeared in the
interest OF the Bangor Street Railway. He
said: We are satisfied with the present sys-
tenn Of taxation. An examination will show
that Of all the street railroads in the state
there has never been paid one per cent per
annum net income on the amount invested.
As an illustration of the difficulties of run
ming street railroad, Mr.: Clergue men
Railway, which has never paid cent.
The Bangor road is losing from $50 to $40
per day and above that a snow bill has al
ready been incurred of S2500. The road
represents and investment of S250,000 to
S21 1000. There is bonded Indebtedness of
100000, on which interest is paid at six per
cent. AT the present rate Of increase of bus
iness 1t will probably be five years before
dividend viii be reached. We ask you to
leave the law as 1t is. II you change 1t there
will never be d new street railroad built in
Maine till d0omsday.
General III. l.. Mitchell, city solicitor Of
Bangor, appeared by direction of the city
authorities to urge few reasons why the
recommendation of the tax committee in re-
gard to the taxation of street railroads
should be adopted. Cities pay the land dam
ages for street railroads, taxpayers pay the
expense OF building the road beds and the
street railroad companies come in and lay
their tracks. There is an additional expense
for keeping the streets In order where the
roads run. This being the case the PROPOSE
tlen Of the tax committee is correct and
should be adopted.
An interesting controversy occurred be-
tween General Mitchell and Mr.. Clergue in
regard to taxation and valuation.
Hon. Charles f. Libby said he happened
to be an officer OF the Portland Railroad
Company and would speak for 1t. Up to
four years ago the road had paid only
two per cent annually. Mr.. Lib
by said that in his opinion the tax upon
these railroads should be tax upon the
franchise gauged upon the extent of its use.
OF course franchise In a small town
wouldn't be worth as much as one in large
town. In that case there would not be so
much travel and its use would not be so
great. The present system OF taxing the
gross earnings answered the requirements.
Under this system the Portland railroad had
been paying a graduated franchise tax
Last year the road paid state tax Of over
$500. and in Portland and Deering it paid
over $500 more. This would be total tax Of
IL per cent on its taxable stock. The
of $3S, ,000 which it would be glad to wipe out.
Was IL fair then to tax these roads according
to their construction or capital stock account?
The Portland read had not reached point
where 1t had surplus. but 1t was believed to
be as we'll managed as any in New England.
Unless the system of taxation Of steam rail-
roads was changed then there should be no
change in that on street railroads. The
present system of taxing the gross earnings
was satisfactory.
General Manager Newman, who was pres
ent, explained several matters to the COM
mittee.
Hon. J. Manchester Haynes spoke for the
Augusta, Hall0well and Gardiner road,
which he said carried workmen for cent a
mile, much less than the steam railroad rates.
BE urged that there should not be any dis
elimination against such road.
Hon. Orville ID. Baker, as one interested In
the local road, also spoka Of its convenience.
Mr.. +. w. Dana, in behalf of the Lewiston
and Auburn road, claimed that 1t had not
been gold mine and could i'll afford to have
its burdens increased.
Mr.. Z. Y. Turner appeared with long Pc
titlon from the farmers asking for assess
ments OF abutters. Mr.. Turner's idea is that
people living. on streets with pavements,
sewers, etc, shall pay for them Instead of
the city.
That Cape Elizabeth Matter.
It's reported that the judiciary committee
may decide to give Mr.. Tilton another chance
and reopen the matter Of legalizing the do
ings Of that town. 1t is understood that
should the committee do this, the petitioners
will modify their request in some particu
lars.
The Bramhali League.
The popular Bramhall League Of Portland
wants to be incorporated and bill for that
purpose was introduced today. The club is
authorized to hold property to the amount of
$4,000.
Mr.. Payson of Portland today presented
the petition of Sarah b. Farmer, president of
the Female Orphan Asylum of Portland, and
the accompanying bill. that the charter of
the institution be so amended that 1t may in
clude in Its work the care of boys as we'll as
girls. The petition and bill were referred IN
the judiciary committee.
Mr.. Chadbourne Of Biddeford presented n
bill to incorporate the York Light and Heat
Company.
Il, NJ. Heath and 10 others of the Kennebec
Bar petition In favor of an index-digest.
Among the petitions presented TODAY In
favor OF increasing the appropriation for the
Labor Bureau from $1,000 to 5000 was one
one signed by Eliot King and 25 others Of
Portland. -
Il: s. Skolield and AZ others of Harpswell
petition Tor the repeal of the law relating To