The Portland daily press., 1895-02-28

future Legislatures and the people would
deal wisely with similar questions as they
| came UP.
Inc TACT that there were many towns in
Maine not able under tile present debt limit
10 go INTO the business OF supplying them
serves with water. seemed 10 Mr. Savage TO
show why much of the opposition to this
measure existed. The removal of the debt
limit would prevent the use of these towns
as places FOR profitable Investment by those
anxious to go into the water business.
1t had been stated at the hearing ON this
question that nobody wanted the amend
inent but Auburn Pittsdeld was there and
spoke out in meeting. Then te test the
truth OF this statement petitions were sent
out ASKING the passage of the resolve and
these petitions had been very numerously
signed. Who were the opponents2 That
was question more difficult to answer
FOLLOWING the lead of one bank the savings
banks OF the state had signed remonstrances
against this measure. But less than half
the banks in the state had signed them. and
Mr.. Savage maintained that many of them
had done so under misrepresentation as to
the workings of the amendemnt. All these
remonstrances had been prepared in one
ONCE and endorsed by the parent savings
bank at whose. nod others had hastensdsto
obey What was the power behind the
savings banks which was really respon sible
for this opposition? 1t was the voice of
Jacob. but the hands of Esau and Jacob was
water planter. Mr.. Savage claimed that
the bonds issued under the amendment
would be gilt edged Investments, and said
that the fair minded attorney who had ap-
| "A r.6 !. :. .1.r1f I'D H.
banks had admitted this. The same gentle
man drafted law in 1893 in relation to
savings banks investments. which dis
tinctly recognized the value Of water works
investments. On Washingfon's birthday.
1895, savings bank managers met in the city
Of Portland and endorsed bill to permit
banks to invest in municipal securities of
cities whose net debt does not exceed five
per cont. Thai word net is new in the
Maine law. II permits the deduction from
| the amount of the debt of a city of every
thing represented by assets. Mr.. Savage
was mol sure but that city halls and school
houses would count as assets. The savings
bank managers had gone farther than he
| asked for under this amendment. Mr..
savage did rot doubt hat the Investments
they made would be good ones, and he
| L
land for this action
in concluding, Mr.. Savage said: $50 as
have said the real opposition to this meas
ure comes not from savings banks. but from
water syndicates. He urged that the
needs of the people should be recognized,
The rights of the syndicates already in oper-
alton of course being preserved.
| IN THE WAY OF APPROPRIATIONS.
| Mr.. Barrett of Canaan. stopped the re-
solve making the usual appropriation for
the Industrial school for Girls al Hallowell.
today. on the ground that it did not carry
with it the statement of fac required NV
| the rules. Several members stated that
this was an institution about which every
| body knew and hat the report of The
| school had been placed on the desks Of The
members. Finally the rules were suspended
and the resolve passed.
Then Mr.. Gilbert of Canton got in the way
of the bill increasing The amount Of the
annual appropriation for normal schools,
and the Madawaska Training school Of S3l.-
90. Mr.. Gilbert made the point that no
statement of facts accolnpaniedSthis measure
as the rules required
| Mr. Plnnlrner of Dexter took the ground
| that the bill WAS not one appropriating
| money, but one directing The manner OF tie
| expenditure OF money appropriated by the
| provisions of the Revised Statutes. the
normal school fund being taken from the
| general school fund.
| The Speaker was under the impression
that the rule was designed to cover case
like this.
Finally the matter was laid ever until to-
morrow at which time statement of facts
will be presented and Mr. Gilbert will tell
whether he thinks the increase IL wise one
or not.
THE INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS.
Mr.. Twitchell of Bath. called up today he
bill providing for the inspection of build
ngs. On Mr.. Twitchells motion the vote
passing the bill to be enacted was recon-
siuered and the bill was assigned for March
s, with an amendment providing that APP
peals may be taken to the municipal officers
in cases where the inspector refuses to
grant certificate.
SORRENTO-SU LLIvAN.
| Mr.. Gilbert of Canton called up the Sulli-
van division case today. Mr.. Ryersoll of
Livermore said that he had consistently
supported the majority report of the COM
| iuittee against UDlS DILL DuL Nc ulu mol pro-
pose to infict any further opposition on the
House. and was willing that the bill should
be sent 10 the tender nercies of the upper
branch. The bill was then passed to be en-
crossed
TO BUY RAM ISLAND.
| That barren bit of sheep pasture and the
surrounding lodges are evidently of value
| in the eyes of some one, as the following re-
solve. introduced by Mr.. Whelden, today,
would Indicate:
Resolved. That the land agent be
authorized 10 sell all the interest which the
state OF Maine has in and TO Ram Island
and Ram Island ledge. lying southwest of
| Gus ing's Island in Casco bay to such per-
son or persons and for such price or sum as
in his judgment is for the best interest Of
the state"
NEW BUSINESS.
Mr.. Lane of Augusta. introduced a DILL
relating to the powers and duties of execu-
tors and administrators. 1t permits judges
OF probate In the settlement Of an estate 10
allow reasonable sum in the accounts of