The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-03-13
To the Reform school comm,ttea

| In the Senate today, 0enat0r Poor of Cum
berland presented a large number of peti
tions from Protestant clergymen In all part.
of the state, protesting against legislation tc
permit sectarian teaching at the State Re.
Mr. MaIlet of Cumberland moved that the
Senator be allowed TO present his petitions
without reading them:
Mr.. Poor explained that as each petition
bore the signature of but one Clergyman he
Thought the names should be read, and
should accordingly ask the indulgence of the
Senate during the reading.
The President ruled that the Senator was
In order. and the reading proceeded until
MI. Swanton renewed Tue motion that the
reading be discontinued.
| The President said that unless the reading
| occupied undue time the Senator had right
to present his petitions In the manner In
| which he was proceeding.
Mr.. Poor thereup0n said he would yield
and present the petitions In bulk. He bad
read only about a tenth part OF those he pre-
sented. and had many more to be presented
| as soon as prepared.
them having considerable number of Sig
| natures.
The House has receded from Its actionre-
ferrtng the matter to the judiciary commit
tee, and concurred with the Senate in send
ing 1t to the reform school committee.
woman Suffrage Again.
Yesterday the Senate voted to recommit to
the judiciary committee the bill granting
municipal suffrage to women. Today when
the matter went down to the House COM
mentation. Mr.. Peaks Of Dover. objected to
the recommittal, which was to give an op-
portunity for the preparation of minority
report in favor of the bill. Colonel Peaks
said there had been an abundance Of time
for TIE preparation of such a report and he
did not now favor action which might length
en- the session by several days. He was op-
posed to woman suffrage because his wife
was opposed to 1t. Colonel Peaks said that
his wife wanted him to come home and vote,
instead of staying here to give her the right
to vote: ;. n.o. -. a.. !, -,
opinion the gentlemen who desired to make
the minority report should be given the op'
pOrtunity to do so. Mr.. Hawes did not think
that such action would lengthen the session.
Mr.. Peaks had moved that the House ad-
here to its former action accepting the report
and 1t was so voted.
Today's Business In the Senate.
Mr.. Mallet of Cumberland. presented bill
to fix the salary of the bank examiners clerk
at $1,000 annually, and allow the bank exam
liner $500 annually for travelling expen ses.
Upon motion of Senator Haines the ad-
verse report of the railroad committee on his
bill to regulate railroad fares was assigned
for Tuesday next at IL a. m.s Wednesday
next was assigned for the consideration Of
the adverse report upon the Canada and
On motion Of Senator Moore, the resolve
reported from the committee on military af-
fairs making an appropriation to complete
the work of the Gettysburg commission. was
assigned for Tuesday Of next week.
Senator HaiQ6s DrQSantAd n rasOIV6 to DrO-
vide for submittins to the people an amend
ment to the constitution establishing an edu-
cational qualification for voters. The re-
solve is M an exact copy Of the Massachusetts
limit the right Of suffrage to those who could
read the constitution In the English lam
guage and write their names, excepting per-
sons prevented from so doing by physical
disability, persons who now exercise the
right Of suffrage and persons who may be
60 years Of age and over at the time of the
adoption Of the amendment
Senator Haines, for the committee on legal
lating to the municipal court Of the city Of
Waterville, and to refer to the next legisla-
ture the bill to abolish the common council
In that city.
tee reported favorably the bill to amend
section 1856, chapter 81, r. S., relating to rail-
road loans. The bill provides that where
towns or cities sell railroad securities held
by them, the proceeds Of the sale shall be
held In trust to be applied to the extinguish-
ing of indebtedness arising from the connec-
tion OF such town or city with the railroad.
The Tax Report.
The committee on taxation held lengthy
session tonight, adjourning at about mid
night, when the members declared that they
would not tell what had been DONE The
general bill prepared by the committee may
be reported tomorrow. 1t will contain a
system of taxing railroads, including steam
railroad lines, taxed upon the scheme advo-
Gated by Mr.. III. G. Burleigh, graduated tax
upon the gross earnings, the taxation OF col
lateral inheritances, two per cent on all
amounts over $500. Stock and trust compa-
MES are taxed as national banks by the new
law. and their interest bearing deposits will
sustain tax of three-quarters of one per
cent, the same as savings bank deposits
Telephone and telegraph companies will be
taxed three per cent on the value Of their
lines The tax Is now q per cent Savings
banks must be taxed on their reserve fund
In addition to their deposits, and ON deposits
OF over $1,000 tax of 0ne-fourth Of one per
cent is levied, which Is to be deducted from
the deposltor's dividend. The tax on ex-
press Is raised from thlee-fourths of one per
cent to II per cent on the gross receipts.
Committee Business.
The judiciary committee this afternoon
voted to report In a new draft the bill regu-
lating the registration of apothecaries. The
principal change made in the bill is in the
manner provided for proceeding against Of
tenders under it. The new draft provides
that the county attorney shall proceed by in
dlctment upon Information furnished by the
commissioners OF pharmacy. 20 per cent OF
the lines TO go to the law library. The Ju-
dietary committee will report fought to
pass on the bill for the prevention of blind
ness in young children. The committee on
the Worlds Fair evidently want to see. the
state ittingly represented at the Columbian
Exposition. They reported bill in the Sem
ate this morning appropriating $4,000.
Points.
Last week the Senate refused to accept the
adverse report of the committee and passed
a bill for the protection Of trout in Cathance
Pond. 1t will be remembered the Senate
went into committee of the whole and had
| considerable fun over the matter. Today
the House refused to concur and accepted
| the adverse report.
| A resolve has been introduced from the
gnance committee accepting the sum 70 pc
| paid the state under the provisions Oh the
direct tax bill passed by Congress.
Mr.. Drummond of Portland occupied the
Speakear'S chair during poIuon oI tne
| morning session today.
| On motion of Mr.. Porter the House today
| passed an order directing the Secretary OF
| State and State Treasurer TO inform the
| House what the expense OF the valuation
| commission had been.