The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-01-03
COMMISSIONERS REPORT.
One of the Most Important Matters That
VIII Come Before the Legislature.

VIII Come Be fore the Legislature
Augusta. January "A matter which
will rank second TO none in this Legislature
came in this forenoon, viz, the report OF
the special commission appointed by the
Governor under a resolve of the last legisla-
ture. to take inIo consideration the subject
of private and and special legislation,
and investigate and ascertain what subjects
of this character may be properly provided
for by general laws for which special legis-
lation has been asked, SO that in the future
the legislature may be relieved from the
enactment of special laws relative 10 such
subjects. The Governor appointed hon.
L.. I. Carleton of Winthrop, Hon. Fred II.
Appleton of Bangor, and Hon. VIM. Il. Fol-
ger, OF RockIand, as that commission, ana
they in turn chose Gen. 5. .Ehoate OF
Augusta. secretary. Their report is
lengthy and exhaustive ,,one and is the re-
suit of months ufseareful and painstaklng
The commission start out by discussing
the difference between private and special
laws. an examination of the acts and re-
solves of preceding Legislatures show that
public, private, general, special and local
laws have been passed Unfortunately.
What may be called the science of leg1sla-
ton would seem to have been too little re-
garded. Not only has the volume Of this
class of legislation needlessly increased.
but private. schemes have often been pushed
through the legislature by unscrup ulors
men to the sacrifice of public interest. Each
separate locality has therefore been liable
to unwise interference in its affairs, and
IL = fars has hean thrown
into confusion. The natural consequence of
all this has been the growth of very gem
eraI feeling of hostility to all local and
special legislation.
The necessity of general law to govern
our fish and game resources is urged. Inc
enactment of bill would at once save the
legislature much valuable time and the
tax payers enormous expense. They present
a bill amendatory of the present law. Sec.
SO of chapter 40 IS amended SO that the
Governor shall appoint three persons TO
be commissioners OF inland nsherles anu
game, ono of whom shall be skilled IN hsh
culture and the habits of food fishes, moose,
caribou and deer; and one shall be skiiled
in the habits and nature of game birds;
and one shall be learned in the law. Their
salary is not fixed.
Section Is is amended. requiring the COM
missioners to examine dams and all othel
distractions existing in all rivers ana
streams, and determine the necessity OF
fish ways, and the location, form and ca
pacity thereof; introduce and disseminate
yaluab BILE species Of food fsh into the.inland
waters of the state.and valuable food birds.
Sec. rs. The commissioners shall have
authority, upon petition o. five OF more
citizens Of the state. or whenever they
shall deem it for the best interests of the
state latter due notice and public hearing IN
the locality to be affected, to regulate the
limo and the places in which. and the
circumstances under which game and IN
land fish may be taken; but they cannot
authorize the taking of game or inland fish
at time in which so doing is prohibited
by the general law of the state.
Sec. II. Whenever they deem 1t for the
best interests.of the state. after like notice
AID hearing, they may entirely prohibit
the taking of any kind of game or inlaId
fish in any part of the state Tor a series of
years not exceeding four.
Sec. rs. They may adopt and from time
to time modify or repeal. any needful rules
or regulations, not contrary to the general
laws of the state, as they may deem neces-
sary or proper for the protection and pre-
servation of..the game and inland fish of the
state, in conformity with the provisions OF
sections rs and ~ of this chapter.
Immediately upon the adop ion of any
rules or regulations contemplated by this
act. file ar attested.copy of the same in the
Office of the secretary of state.
Sec. so. Whoever fishes for, takes.
lille, IN doatrovs an ip1ar Il fish. in
any manner or at any time in violation of
the rules and regulations. shall be punished
in the same manner as is provided for by
law for the illegal taking. catching, killing
or destroying any such inland fish.
Sec. 81 provides that violators of the
game regulations shall be punished in the
same manner as in the law now provides
for violators of the game laws.
The act will take effect when approved.
bill is submitted for the incorporation
and control of telegraph and telephone
companies
Sec. provides that such companies may
organize under the present law and all the
provisions of the several sections and acts
are made applicable to such corporations.
Another bill provides for the ''incorpora-
ton and regulation of safe deposit and
bank companies.
Chap. AZ of the ret ised statutes is
amended by the addition of new sections.
Such companies may organize as provided
by the present law by the filing of certifi-
cate OF Organization with the secretary OF
state = as provided. A certificate of crga-
nization issued by the bank examiner shall
provide the method of calling the first meet
ing of the com pany, which company shall
pay said examiner for his services in ad
vance.
A fifth bill provides for the organization
of gas and electric companies under sec
tions Is, II, IS. 10 and 20 of chapter 4S of the
existing, law. In digging up the streets
permit must, be granted by the municipal
officers who Shall grant if they deem exped-
lent after a notice and public hearing at
which all persons may appear and be heard.
SUCH corporation shall be liza BILE for dam
ages occasioned by construction.