The Portland daily press., 1891-03-18
next Tuesday in the House. The printed
document makes over 100 pages.
House Votes Against the School Bill,

| oONuAiOhs hhNhOo OtCA AO pd8Cos
House Votes Against the School Bill.
On motion of Mr.. Littlefeld of Penobscot,
| the bill to abolish school districts was taken
from the table. pending the acceptance OF
| either report Of the committee. The majori.
ty report, signed by seven members, recon-
mends the bill. The minority report, signed
Dy three members, says the bill ought not to
pass.
Mr.. Littlefeld moved the acceptance of the
minority report and at some length gave his
reasons therefor.
Mr.. Keegan Of Van Buren, spoke in favor
Of the bill. He thought 1t would be great
Improvement In the educational system Of
our state.
Mr.. Trussell of st. George, said the people
OF Maine were intelligent to e large degree
for 1t through petitions. The town system
is no doubt good thing but the district sys-
tenn Is working much good and seemingly
satisfactory to all concerned.
Mr.; Archibald OF Houlton, said he intro
duced the bill by popular request. 1t was
endorsed and approved by q large majority
OF the committee and many leading educa-
tional teachers all over our state are strong
ly in favor Of the bill.
Mr.. Stearns of Caribou and Mr.. Gushee
report or against the bill.
Mr.. Cummings of Harrison and Mr.. Peaks
OF Dover also spoke against the bill.
Mr.. Shaw Of Bath spoke In favor Of the
bill.
Messrs. Cannon of Naples and Stone of
Troy were both opposed to the bill.
The minority report was accepted by
vote OF 81 to 16 and the bill rejected In the
House.
Registration OF Vital Statistics.
The bill for the registration Of vital statls-
tics which came over from the last legisla-
lature was favorably reported from the
judiciary early in the session and then re-
committed was reported again to the House
this morning in new draft. There are a
number Of minor changes In the bill but the
Brewer Makes the First Attack on
Valuation.
Mr.. Snow Of Brewer presented remon.
STRANGE from the city Of Brewer against the
valuation placed upon the property of that
city. 1t is a communication from the Mayor
who thinks the rating Of the valuation COM
mission is too high, placing upon the proper
ty in the city higher value than could be
secured at sale.
Among the Committees.
The judiciary committee has voted to re-
port ought not to pass on Mr.. Tilton's bill to
legalize the doings Of the town of Cape
Elizabeth. This committee has now only
few matters left. and will try to complete its
lators by Thursday, as on that DAY the
House, under the order passed Saturday will
begin to hold two sessions daily.
The public buildings committee was to
have met this afternoon to take action in re-
gard to the matters concerning the State
House, now pending before them. A quo
rum was not present, however, and so moth
Ing was done. Another meeting will be held
committee will award the contracts for fur
nishing the new library rooms. Megquier &
Jones of Portland are bidders for the iron
work, and Walter Corey & Co. for the wood
en- shelving and furniture.
There may be two reports from the legal
affairs committee on the question of author
izing the commissioners OF York county to
construct a bridge across Weir Greek in the
town of Kittery. Five of the members vot-
ed to report adversely this afternoon; four
voted In the affirmative and one member was
absent.
Another matter on which there will be two
reports from the committee Is the bill to
abolish the superior court In Aroostook
county. Seven members of the committee
approve the change and Judge Stesrns will
make minority report In its favor, and two
other members may join with him.
Nothing was done today by the reform
school committee iu relation to the question
of religious instruction In that institution.
but 1t Is understood that the committee op-
pose any change from the present regula-
tions.
The finance committee spent the afternoon
in executive session, but did not fix the rate
or taxation. The fixing Of the tax rale de-
pends somewhat upon the action which may
be taken on the report of the valuation COM
mission. ,~,,-.-,
the undivided support of the temperance
committee. Senator Wadlin may present
minority report against it. Senator Wadlin
says he is temperance man and believes in
tbe present law, but he does not believe in
loading 1t with amendments. He was
member of the House 33 years ago and at
more law. Amendments have been added
until now Mr.. Wadlin believes the law is as
stringent as 1t can be without defeating Its
own purposes.
Speaker Wiswell has appointed Mr.. Hersey
Of Buckfeld member of the commission on
valuation in place of Mr.. Trafton, deceased
Upon motion of Mr.. Dickey of Fort Kent
resolve was accepted without reference
aud given its two readings under suspension
of rules for the purchase of the old Fort
Kent as historical relic of the Madawaska
war.
The bill for the inspection Of steam boilers
was passed TO be engrossed in the House
this morning.
Architect Spofford of Boston has been
here today. making one of his periodic al WIS.,
its.
Gen. c. P. Mattocks of Portland, has been
at the State House during the past two days.
E. L. Dyer, Esq, is another Portland visi-
tor.
Hon. Fl. B. Ceaves, Prentiss Loring, Esq
5. w. Lane and others. are here In the inter-
est of the Westbrook and Portland railway
charter.
Representative Parter of Bangor occupied
the chair in the House this forenoon. Mr..
POrter's thorough knowledge of the rules of
the House and parliamentary practices make
him an excellhnt presiding officer.
Gov. Burleigh is csnfined to his house by
Illness.
The insurance committee has cleared its
docket and will soon report finally.
President Libby entertained the members
Of the Cumberland county delegation this
evening.
The judiciary committee has had before
them during the session 22S matters.