The Somerset reporter., 1895-03-28
What Has Been Done and. Also What
Has Peea Left Undoae.
A Long Session and Remarkably
Long List of Ac and Re
solves Passed.
Rights of Mothers Strengthened, New
Towns Made and Kew Baildings
Provided For.

Legis ature wound up its career to-day, and
the Speakers gavel fell for the last time,
unless there should be an extra session,
which is hardly among the possibilities.
Fer years at the opening of Legislature
short session has been the talk, but this as
well as others, proved to be of the average
length, although il did not extend over
into April as q id that of 1898, but it would
have done so had the day of meeting fallen
as late in the month of January as it did
two years ago. 1t has not been Legisla-
ture OF long speeches, the only one having
been Judge Savage's, eloquent and logical
argument for the amendment to permit
towns and cities to increase their debt
limit for the purpose of owning water
works. The tendency has rather been
towards brief and numerous speeches,
which often were more effective than more
extended remarks.
-Four hundred and thirty-four acts and
106 resolves were given passage by the
Legislature Of 1898, which number was in
excess of that of 1891, and was then
thought TO be an amazing long list, but
this Legislature breaks the record, exceed
my tuc uuIli3GE III tndi SESSION Dy ABOUT
10. No sweeping public measures have
been passed. and bills which in other Leg
islatures probably would have prevailed
have been voted down, especially by the
Senate.
Most of the appropriations asked for
have been granted but the rule has been to
pare them down to a reasonable amount,
several being shaved down through the in
fuenee of Governor Cleaves, who from the
start counseled economy aud prudence. The
ne% appropr alton was that for the Eastern
Maine Insane Hospital. Over this arose
one of the sharpest fights OF the session
and it looked at one time as il 1t would go
by the board, but the friends OF the hos
pital by dint OF hard work carried the day.
The appropriat ion for fish and game which
was scaled down $4,000 went through with
out murmur as lalso did the $4,000 resolve
for Rowland bridge, these being the only
larye appropriations which did not meet
with opposition. The latter was cut down
with the others. The appropriations for
the new normal school buildings after
stormy voyage arrived safely in port but
were reduced, as was the general appro-
priation for these schools.
OF the laws probably the most iinpor-
tant passed is hat giving the widow one
third OF her hus stands real estate outright
anu regulating tue by ucHcent, Inc law
yers will tell you that this was a splendid
piece OF law building and to Judge Savage
belongs the credit. The medical registra-
ton bill which was one of the last to re-
ceive the sanction of the Legislature, is
law OF interest to everybody and after the
thorny path which this measure has trav
eled in years past the doctors now feel re-
leved. The general fish and game law and
the other general laws passed for the
organization of corporations, etc, arc new
steps In legislation end the trainers expect
that they will operate satisfactorily and
relieve future legislatures from a portion
Of their labors. An unusual amount OF in
surance legislation has been enacted, the
companies getting about all they asked
for, restrictive laws being repealed and
laws passed looking to the protection of
buildings from fire, that now the in
suranee people can have no excuse for
maintaining excessive rates.
The Biographies will have to be changed
If track OF town divisions is kept in Maine
Madison is the only town which wanted
and did not get a separation.At one time 1t
looked as II there would be failure to di-
vide Sullivan, but through the vigorous
work of the Sorrento managers division
was obtained. The annexation of parts OF
Lewiston and Greene TO Webster a
hard-fought battle, but the auneXationists
won the day.
The Bangor & Brewer bridge question
caused about as much fuss and lobbying as
any other measure in the Legislature, but
the general court refused point blank to
confscate the bridge owners property
The Washington county railroad kicked
up hubbub but was settled by compro-
mise. The lobster law has been changed
SO that it will be unlawful to take Holsters
at any season OF the year under ten and
one half inches in length. There will be
no more advertising for contracts for State
printing and binding and no more cutting
down of the numbe OF reports. The next
Legislature will elect a printer and binder
More important public measures were
killed than passed, The listing bill did
not stand the ghost OF chance from the
beginning and fell fiat, and Mr.. Patten s
resubmission measure had no standing
from the first. Woman suffrage made a
better showing, and il the movement keeps
on growing, t he women will vote al no dis
tant day. The debt limit amendment, too,
which was voted down by this Senate, Is
sure to receive favorable consideration
soon. Mr.. Noble, himself, throttled the
Lewiston police commission bill after
securing its passage. Among other i'm
portapt measures which were slaughtered
We're the Wiggin school bill, that for
oldlt bOdfu vi tuuCdblOu, Nun sGClbTlhu
amendment, exempting y. M. c. assoc
Citations from taxation, the seining law,
the resolve in favor Of the Newport Home
for veterans. the road commissioner bill,
relative to injuries on highways, and Mr..
Bradbury's Australian ballot bill. The
Legislature has also voted not to raise the ir
own salaries. The rate of taxation was
fixed by the finance COMMITTEES at % mills
for 1895 and p mills for 1895.
Other legislation of the session includes
the following measures:
An act provides for the appointment of in
spectors of buildings as to lessen the danger
from fires.
Hereafter when property is destroyed by fire.
municipal officers must make investigation
of the circumstances and cause, within six days
OF its occurrence. The city or town clerk shall
make Il record of the facts and transmit them
TO the insurance commissioner.
law has been passed for the disposal OF
property ordained for plous uses and which is
going to waste.