The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-03-28
4 MESSAGE.
Governor Cleayes Combs the Legisla.
lures Hair.
HE RENEWS HIS RECOMMENDA.
TIONS CONCERNING SPECIALLAWS.

Biddeford Police Ii.i-That Ferry Land
ing-Bangor's Shattered Dream-The
Druggist Bill and the Cover Abortion.
Especial to the Press.l
AUGUSTA, March 27.-Reference was
made some time ago in the PRESS to a
suggest on that commission be ap-
pointed to consider means whereby the
great mass of special legislation which
now takes so much of the time of each
session of the legislature might be rem
dered unnecessary by system of general
laws which should provide means
whereby those who now seek special
legislative enactment could accomplish
their ends without resort to the general
court. This suggestion was in line with
the views of Governor Cleaves and today
the legislature received message on the
subject from the Executive. After the
reading Of the message in the Senate Mr..
Libby presented a resolve providing for
the appointment of commission of
three members to report drafts of the
proposed laws during the first week of
clearly expressed the desirability of the
course he recommends. His message
follows:
The Message.
To the Honorable Senate and House Of
Representatives:
In view of the growing tendency to-
wards excessive legislation of private
character, the prevailing feeling of un-
c rtainty and doubt as to the scope that
should be given to this class of legisla-
ton, under the prohibitory clauses of
our constitution applicable to this sub
iect, it is apparent that some effort
should be made to limit within reason
able bounds the private legislation that
is constantly increasing with each sue
ceeding legislature. 1t unnecessarily
encroaches upon the time of the legisla-
ture and has tendency to divert our at
tentiop from legislative matters that
more intimately concern the public in
terests of the state. A thorough and ex-
haustive examination of this subject will
require much care and attention. With the
great accumulation of public matters re-
quiring the attention of legislative COM
mitteeS during the session of the legisla-
ture they do not have the necessary time
to devote to this special subject. The
legislature will permit me to suggest the
desirability of providing for a committee
or commission to take into consideration
the general subject of private and special
legislation to ascertain what subjects of
this character may properly be provided
for by general laws and rep rt to the
next legislature to ascertain what sub
jeots of this character may properly be
Aol Cor hxyr 10 nd
to the next legislature with necessary
drafts of bills applicable to
such subjects. The whole matter can,
in this way, be placed before the legisla-
tive branch at the commencement of the
next session, and such general laws can
be passed as are deemed advisable then.
The legislature can properly relieve it
self from considering a large mass of
subjects that should be provided for by
such laws. From the information have
been able to obtain bearing upen our ex-
penditures in this direction, if suitable
provision can be made by public acts for
such subjects of private legislation as
may appropriately be provided for, it
will ref uee future state expenditures at
each session of the legislature ait least
$a2, 900.
am satisfied from an examination of
previous legislation, that the enactment
of such general or public laws applica-
BILE to special and private legislation as
are contemplated under the provision of
our constitution, requiring that the leg
islature shall fprovide, as far as practica-
BILE, by general laws for all matters usu-
ally appertaining to special or private
legislation and for the formation of pri-
vate corporations, will dispense with a
very large portion of the private and
special acts that will in the future re-
quire legislative attention, better con-
serve the people and business interests
of the state, curtail the enor-
nous expense attending the legislation
of this character, and shorten the session
of future Legislatures by several weeks.
believe there is general demand that
a movement in this direction should be
inaugurated, and if any other movement
more desirable to insure this pprpo
suggests itself to the legislature shall
be pleased to cooperate with you in its
accomplishment.
A Rival of the Czar.
Opponents of the bill giving executive
authority to the state beard of health
seem to think tnat it makes that body a
rival to the Gear in cocerive power.
Nevertheless the House concurred with
the Senate today in passing the amended
bill to be engrossed. The principal