The Portland daily press., 1895-01-11

by gentlemen interested in real estate
ventures IN the lake. region. mong whom
is Galen U. Moses, ESQ.,, of Bath.
THAT FIVE PER CENT LIMIT OF NUM-
OPAL DEBTS.
AS many predicted would be the case. the
resolution for an amendment to the Consti-
tuition to permit the extension of the debts
of towns and cities beyond the five per cent
limit is hailed as a possible means OF getting
authority for debts for other purposes. If
Auburn is to be allowed to issue bonds to
pay for water works. why shouldn't Bidde-
ford have the privilege of issuing bonds to
pay for the new city building recently de-
stroyed by fire? That is a question which
presents itself naturally enough to the
people of Biddeford and today a telegram
was received here II ON Biddeford Official
suggesting that bonds issued for the con-
struction of public buildings be included in
the provisions of the resolve presented by
Judge Savage. 1t Is the opinion OF sorpe of
the members that had the resolve provided
that cities might incur debt of seven or
eight per cent of the valuation instead OF
five as at present. the hope OF its passage
might have been stronger. At present lis
chances seem to be decidedly dubious.
THE OLD SOLDIERS.
Two measures are now before the pension
committee which will probably be killed by
the report Ought not to pass" One Of
these is a petition that honorahly sdis-
charged soldiers and sailors be exempted
from the payment of the poll tax. The
other is measure to place on the state
pension rolls all residents of Maine who
served on the quota of other states. The
petition originated with Post 144, O. A.
r., of Warren. which sent out circulars to
the other Grand Army Posts of the state
asking fer signatures. In many posts the
petition was tabled but in others it has re-
ceived some signatures SO that quite num-
her of copies have been received hcre. AS
the measure is not endorsed by the Grand
Army whole and as there are other OBJ
vious objections to it, the probabilities are
that the committees action Will be adverse.
There is no doubt that there are in the
state individual cases where hardship is
worked by the exclusion from the state pen
sion rolls of men who have good claim to be
there. Such case is that of one veteran,
who when young man in the early days of
the war, enlisted in a Massachusetts regi-
ment. tie had gone on coasting vessel
from Maine town to Boston and there,
finding any young men of his acquaint-
ance joining the ranks, threw in his lot
with the Massachusetts boys and did good
service in Bay State regiment. Immedi-
ately after the war. he returned to Maine
and has since lived in the state. He is a
man of limited means and the aid he might
receive from the state had he served in its
quota would be of great use TO him in his
declining yea1s. 1t was Undoubtedly such
cases as this that the petitioners for the
change in the pension law had in mind but
the measure they haye suggested, brightly
understood, would open the door, not only
to such man as the one described, bat also
to host of others who might not be at all
deserving. INTACT it would be standing
invitation to ali sorts ofImen with all sorts
of records, to move into Maine and apply
for pensions provided they had seen some
sort of service. At least this IS the view
taken by many who have the interests of
the veterans at heart. 1t is suggested that
legislation might be devised to meet cases
such as that mentioned above.
A HARRISON MEASURE.
1t is probable that the Harrison Mutual
Fire Insurance company will asksthe legisla-
ture to extend its rights SO that it may in
sure property in surrounding towns not
now included in its charter.
THE ELECTION OF SENATOR.
Senator Frye will be reelected next Tues
day at noon. when joint convention will
be held for tie purpose.
THE NEW INsANEsH oSPITAL.
The joint special committee on the Eastern
Maine Insane aH Hospitals organized today.
This committee ia. samnosed of the commit
tees on insane hospitsl and finance. Sen
ator Waterhouse %asschosen chairman and
a hearing was appointed for week from
next Tuesday. ~
ELECTRIC RAILROAD CHARTERS.
Later in the session a bill will probably
appear to increase the powers of the rail-
road commissioners in regard to the location
Of electric railroads. Now the securing of
the consent of municipal officers to Ioea-
tions is the main thing, the power of the |
commissioners being extremely limited. In |
view of the increase in the number o:
electric lines. it is argued that the matter |
of locations should be settled more as are |
the locations of steam railroads.
He CAME From EREEPnRT