Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-27
Reports OF Committees.


Mr.. Hamlin from the committee on
the judiciary reported ought not to pass
on an act to prohibit the wearing of hats,
bonnets. hoods or other head wear in
places of public amusement.
Papers from the Senate.
Senate order Ordered, That mess
age be sent to the House requesting the
return of the Senate petition of W. b.
Thurlough and Others to divide the town
of Deer Isle.
The House granted the request and the
petition was returned.
An act additional to chapter 122 of the
Revised Statutes, relating to offences
against public justice
Read three times under suspension of
the rules and passed to he cngrossed, on
motion of Mr.. Hamlin of Ellsworth.
Passed to be Enacted.
An act for the assessment of State tax
for the year 1896, amounting to the sum
of s73l, 94l.90.
An act to incorporate the Marine Safe
Deposit and Trust Company.
An act to incorporate the Vinalhaven
Trust and Banking Company.
Regular Order.
Bill repairs of highways and bridges m
towns
This bill was tabled pending the adop-
ton of amendment \ offered by Mr.. Tea
que of Caribou, provided, however. that
none of the provisions of this act shall ap-
ply to Aroostook county,"
Mr.. Packard of blanchard offered an
amendment by adding To section nine the
following, "also all towns that have
population of less than 1900"
Mr. Packard said it would be hard
ship to impose OH Il little town of a few
hundred Inhabitants law like this,
compelling them to raise mon
ey for tho support of their
roads I have offered this amend
mcnt in order that the small towns may
be exempted from the operations of that
bill, and allowed to build their roads us
they have before. 1t would be u difficult
thing to collect taxes in money of many
poor people in our small towns
Mr.. Gilbert of Greene said that he
h opcd that neither of the amendments
proposed would DO given passage. For
some years there has been abroad loud
call for an Improvement in highways, and
justly so. 1t is one of the demands of the
present progress of civilization. 1t
is for this purpose that this bill is framed.
Our county towns in this State are quite
limited in population, and limited pro-
portionately in wealth, and yet they have
about the same number of miles of roads
as though they We're densely populated
and more wealthy. Yet our ability to
comply with the demands of the more
densely populated sections is in proper
ton to our property and population. All
legislation must take into consideration
the fact that we are limited in popu-
lation and wealth in these country towns.
This bill wisely excludes cities. There
is nothing very radical in this bill. Such
change as is provided for is in the right
direction-a wiser and more judicious
expenditure of the money devoted to this
purpose. We have tried this old system
for years and years, and we are not ask
ing any radical Improvement through that
system. This bill provides for the ap-
pointment on the part of the selectmen OF
town of a highway commissioner, who
shall have charge of that work, be respon-
sible for the character of that work
and for the expenditure of the money put
out in carrying out that work. 1t
also leads to better knowledge OF how
to do this work and how to expend this
money. If there are towns that don't
want improvement in this direction, most
Certainly they ought to be brought into
line in this direction. The last amend
ment offered would practically exclude
large part of our country towns from the
application of this law. Many towns of
large population have already adopted
Continued on page 8.