The Portland daily press., 1893-01-12

Probate-Making Rome HOwl-Dumb
Beasts and Their observation-disclosures of
Fort Kent on Deck-Democrats Nomi-
nate Sewan for Senator.
Especial to the Press.l
AUGUSTA. January 1.-THE down
pour has begun and there was right
smart shower of all kinds of measures in
the legislature today. Besides this, in
terest was increased in the House pro-
ceedings by passage at arms over the
order to provide members with stamps.
This diversion is becoming to be as fixed
feature of the proc edings of Maine
legislatures as the election Of their Of
ficers. Three gentlemen presented or
ders that the member be provided with
postage stamps for use during the ses-
sions, and two of these orders each pro-
vided for stamps to the value of $6for each
member. The third, presented by Mr..
Mitchell of Kittery, was more generous.
1t appropriated $40 a man. Under the
rules it was considered first and passed.
Then Mr.. Sprague of Monson said that
he could not see any more reason why
the state should pay for the stamps he
put on the literature he mailed to his
constituents than that it should pay for.
the cigars he gave them when they came
up to Augusta to see him. Mr.. Sprague
moved the vote passing the order be
reconsidered.
1t appeared that the motion was lost
and thereupon Mr.. Lane of Augusta,
colled for the yeas and nays, which were
ordered. On the vote by yeas and nays.
the gentlemen who favored generosity
on the part of the Honse towards itself,
triumphed by small majority and the
motion to reconsider was voted down.
So the Augusta postal clerks will be kept
busy this winter. OF the Portland dele
cation, Messrs. Shaw, Emerson, Nor i'll
and Sawyer favored stamps. Mr.. Bird
voted the other way and Mr.. Smith was
not present.
For Institutions Located at Portland.
Both the Maine General Hospital and
the Maine Eye and Ear Infrmary are the
subjects of applications for state aid.
Resolves were introduced in the House
today by Mr.. Shaw of Portland and re-
ferred to the finance committee. The
resolve in favor of the Maine General
Hospital calls for an appropriation of
$500 for each of the n xt two years.
That in favor of the Inflrmary calls for
$4,000 for each year.
To Expedite Business
Mr.. Woodbury. of Deering has plan
to prevent waste of time in the legisla-
ture, and one which wi | commend itself
to members in favor of business-like
methods. Mr.. Woodbury. sees no occa-
sion for the legislature to do what can
Just as well be done under the general
laws. Today Mr.. Woodbury. introduced
a resolve to secure uniformity of reports
when legislation is unnecessary. It pro-
vides that the various committees of the
legislature be instructed to report unfa-
vorably upon all acts of Incorporation or
applications for special legislation,
where the objects sought can be attained
under the general laws. The resolve
was passed to be engrossed under sus-
pension of the rules.
Looking Out for Mans Dumb Friends.
Two bills have already appeared for
the more complete prevention of cruelty
to animals. If one Of them passes the
bobtailed horse will disappear from the
state.
Mr.. Bird of Portland introduced to-
day an act to amend the laws relating to
cruelty to animals. 1t provides first
that whoever has the care of any animal
in a car or other vehicle shall be subject
to the penalty for cruelty treating or
neglecting such animal. The laws against
cruelty are made to apply to sowners,
shippers, charterers of cars OF other per-
sons having the care, custody or charge
of animals loaded into cars The act
also amends the law as to the method of
proceeding to secure the destruction of
old and diseased animals. 1t provides
that officers or agents may take posses
sion of such animals and apply to any
municipal or police court or trial justice
for process to cause the same to be de-
stroyed. If the owner is known copy
of the application shall be served upon
him to show cause why such animal
should not be destroyed and its value
fixed. If the owner is not known, such
notices shall be posted After hearing,
the court shall fix the value of the
animal and order its destruction. The
owner may appeal by giving bond to
care for the animal during the proceed
ings.
Another section of the act provides
that municipal or police court justices
on complaint may cause the arrest of
persons charged with violating the cruel
ty laws in their county. The offence
shall be deemed to have been committed
in any county where a maltreated animal
may be found. When such offences are
not of a high and aggravated nature,
they may be tried by municipal or trial
justices and punished by fine of not
less than $5 nor more than 500, and by
imprisonment not exceeding 80 days.
Persons guilty of more aggravated
offences shall be bound over to the grand
jury.
MIR. Bird also introduced a bill for the
protection OF, horses and sheep. 1t pro-
vides that no sheep shall be sheared ear
lier than the goth of May. A penalty of
fine not less than S., nor more than
5000, or Imprisonment not than one
year, or both. The bill also provides
that whoever cuts the solid part of
horse's tail in the operation known as
s:dooking," or causes the same to be
done. or assists in doing it, shall be pun