The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-03-13

ory of that mysterious lobby has secured
a majority of the committee does not in
dicate by anv means that it will get a
majority of the legislature, especially
now that there is another definite propo-
sition which as means of yielding an
increased revenue seems preferable.
A weeks Accomplishments.
There have been several important ad
ditions made to the laws Of the state
during the past week, that relating to
savings banks being perhaps of as great
great general interest as any. The bill
which the Governor has signed on this
subject allows savings banks to invest in
the stock and mortgage bonds of railroads
leased to dividend paying New England
roads as well as in the securities of the
lessees. The banks are also allowed to
invest in the securities of New Hamp-
shire water companies under the same
conditions that they may invest in such
companies in this state. Then there is
added to the law by this bill the provision
described some time ago to determine
what shall be construed as municipal in
debtedness and include therein the big
debts piled up by some Western cities as
school board indebtedness, etc. This
provision is as follows:
The term municipal indebtedness of
any city as used in this section shall be
construed to be its debt evidenced by
bonds, contracts, or obligations liable to
be met by tax levies, exclusive of any
such debt created for a water supply,
and of the amount OF any sinking fund
available in reduction of any of its debt;
but including all bonds, contracts and
obligations Of streetimprovement boards,
school district boards or boards OF edu-
cation. or other corporate bodies author
lied to contract debts and issue bonds
to be met by taxation within such cities;
and the bonds or obligations of such
street improvement boards, school dis
trict boards or boards of education, and
other corporate bodies within such cities
creating lien upon the taxable property
within their limits shall be treated as
the bonds and obligations of the muni-
cipality: The number of inhabitants of
cities and counties shall be determined
by the last previous official census there
of. All investments shall be charged
and entered on the books of the bank at
their cost to the bank, or at par when a
premium is paid
Sect. 2. This act shall take effect
when approved, but shall not apply to
investments made by savings banks be-
fore it goes into effect.
Another act relating to savings banks
approved this week is that requiring the
crediting of dividends to the deposit ac-
count in go days.
Another new law relating to savings
banks requires the bank examiner to
make only one examination year where
two are now required.
The Iron Hall is once more tabooed,
the bill repeating the act permitting its
return to Maine having been signed.
Nelghborly spleen as exhibited in the
spite fence has called for legislation and
such structures over feet in height are
now forbidden.
The act of the last legislature estab-
fishing Forest Commission has been
amended to require the appointment OF
fire wardens in incorporated township.
The original act left this optional.
In the line of good morals in the change
in the law relating to the publication of
and circulation of obscene literature. So
that publications of manifestly improp-
er nature shall be included as well as
those containing words and sentences or
pictures which are of themselves of inn
proper character. This change in the
law was made by the insertion of the
word ssorp in the statute.
Provision has been made " children
at light house stations to attend neigh
boring schools.
Hardly week goes by without the en-
actment of some amendment to the
chapters of the Revised Statutes regard
ing corporations. This week, the bill to
require directors of a corporation to be
and remain stockholders has been ap-
proved. The law excepts members of
one corporation who may be, elected di-
rectors in second corporation in which
the first holds stock.
The fear that the cattle commissioners
might be called upon to care for sick cats
and dogs has led to change, SO that the
law, instead of mentioning cattle and
other animals. now says cattle, horses
and sheep.
The bill relating to the making of cor
rections and ATTACHMENTS by state assess
ors has passed this week. 1t authorizes
the assessors to make corrections of cler-
ical errors and abatements in certain
cases of double taxation.
By other bills which have become laws
during the past week, the city of Calais
NAV maintain free bridges over the st.
Croix, and the city ofWaterville may make
assessments for street improvements,
Charters of the following corporations
have been approved during the past
week: Portland Diet Mission, Union
Water Co., Washington County Railroad,
Children's Aid Society, South Berwick
Water Co., the Sebago Improvement Co.,
Portland & Yarmouth Railroad Co.. The
Small Point Water Co., The Guilford
Water Co., The Mexico Bridge Co.
Changes have been made affecting ex-
isting charters by bills relating to the
Limerick Loan and Trust Co., authoriz-
inc the Bodwell Water Power Co., the
Berlin Mills Co., and the McKarg and
Copeland Lasting Machine Co. to hold
securities of other corporations; making
ing the Gray Park Association a state
beneficiary: authorizing the Lewiston
and Auburn Horse Railroad Co. to make
a loan; extending the time for the COM
pletion of the Skowhegan and Norridge-
wock Railway; extending the charter of
the Penobscot Central Railway Co., au-I
thorizing the inhabitants of Old Or
chard to purchase the Old Orchard
Water Co.
Senate Adjourns After Short Session.
81