Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-01-08
GRIST GROUND
At the Legislative Session,
Monday Afternoon.
An Amendment Proposed to the Aus
traIian Ballot Law.
Resolve Making Exceptions in Five Per Cent.
= Debt Limit.

measures were introduced. Inc atten-
dance was rather small, many not return
ing until the evening and night trains.
Among the food of petitions, those re-
lating to fish and game largely predomi-
mated Many of these were petitions re-
presenting the wishes Of the Maine Fish
and Game Association, and many seek
special protection of game birds and the
appointment of game bird commissioner
and refer to the work Of Mr. 4. c. Gay of
Auburn and others interested in the in
PRODUCTION of foreign game birds into the
State
Quite number of measures were in
troducct. in the House by Mr.. Plummer
of Dexter. One Of these was bill to in
corporate the city of Dexter and another
to incorporate the Dexter Water Company,
with G. A. Abbott, Stanley Plummer
and Others as directors The bill for a
city charter provides for three wards with
three aldermen from each ward, but no
common council.
Mr.. Plummcr also introduced resolve
to the effect that towns in which stock of
the Dexter & Newport Railroad is owned
and which have not received their share
of the excise tax for the years 1887 $3.50
9O-91- -92, shall be reimbursed to an amount
not exceeding 5000 in each case. 1t is
understood that the ground on which this
AI,f al ,fph hn
Governor and Council in distributing
this railroad tax to the several towns In
which stock was owned, did not, under
tho law relating to leased lines. reckon
this stock of value, The tax for two
wears has been distributed, and the claim
is that the value should have been the
same for the six years preceding 1899.
This was referred to the committee on
legal affairs.
The familiar "petition to prohibit fish
inr III stream" Is taking its accus-
toned place in the routine of Legislative
business.
The first attempt to change the exist
ing Australian ballot law is contained in
a bill presented by Mr.. Barrett of Canaan,
inserting in the law the following provi-
sion: "All ballots having plain cross
on any blank space on the face of the bal
lot shall be deemed to be cast for all the
persons named in the group upon which
such cross is made under such party or
designation, and shall be so counted.
Also by adding at the end of sec. 26,
chap. 267, the words: "Any voter deslr
ing instruction as to the manner of mark
ing his ballot, may obtain it by inquiring
of any ballot clerk. "
The law passed two years ago, provid-
ing for the State to aid municipal libraries
with gift of certain books, required the
municipalities to make report concerning
the receipt and custody of same, but CON
tained no penalty for the enforcement OF
these requirements. Mr. Plummer In
troduced an amendment to the effect that
the aid from the State, hereby provided,
shall be withheld from any town or city
until the report required herein to pe
made on or before the first day Of April
of each year, shall have been received by
the State librarian, and the same shall
also be withheld, unless said report shall
show that the laws, Maine Reports, ana
other documents furnished to said town
or city by the State, are kept in said
library as required by the act,
b. Mr.. White of Rockland, presented bill
to abolish days of grace. 1t provides that
on all notes, drafts, checks, acceptances'
bills of exchange, bonds or other evidences
"a Of Indebtedness, in which there is no ex-
press stipulation to the contrary, no grace,
according to the custom of merchants'
shall be allowed If the day OF payment
falls ON Sunday or q holiday, the pay
ment shall be due the day before. The
act is to take effect Jan. /, 1896 he-
ferred to banks and banking committee.
Limitation Of Municipal indebtedness.
Senator Savage of Auburn introduced
a resolve concerning an amendment in the
municipal Indebtedness. The resolve pro
vides: "No city or town shall hereafter
create any debt or liability, which, singly
or in the aggregate with previous debts OF
liabilities, shall exceed per centum Of
the last regular valuation of said city ol
town; provided, however, that th'
adoption of this article shall not be con
strucd as applying to any fund received
in trust by said city or town, nor to an!
loan for the purpose of renewing existing
loans, or for war, nor to any indebted
ness incurred for the purchase construc
tion or extension of municipal system
of water works, nor to temporary loan
to be paid out of money raised by taxa
tion, during the year in which they an
maie.''
legislative Notes.