Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-30

ZION. otherwise strike this class If
property from the lists and rely on a land
tax '
Inc judiciary committee has decided
that the Knox Wooden Co. shouldn't he
given permission to draw the water in
canaan pond any lower than now per
mitted by law. 1t is understood the com
mittee viii report favorably on the
measure to allow Aroostook county to
erect a new court house at Caribou.
The judiciary committee also voted in
favor Of the bill to authorize county tc
make repairs on the court house at Hou,
ton. The county of Aroostook, if these
reports are adopted, may expend $50, OOC
Tor new court house at Caribou and
$50, 600 for repairs of the court house AT
Houlton.
Legal Affairs.
Hon. J. Manchester Haynes appearet]
before the committee in relation to lien
for towing logs.
lion. George c. Yeaton appeared in OPP
position to any change in the present law
relating to liability for damage done or
for injuries caused on the Sabbath.
Ways and Bridges.
Col Dickcy appeared for the resolve APP
propriating $1,000 for the Fish river
bridge. The committee will report $500.
Col. l)ickcy also appeared for the resolve
in aid of bridge at Seven Islands. The
committee will report in favor of an ap-
preparation of $500
Municipal Debt Limit-Proposition Changed.
Considerable interest was taken in the
hearing upon the proposition to extend
the municipal debt limit for the munich
palities wishing to own their own water
works. ExMayor Bolster of Auburn,
Mr.. Murray, one of the municipal officers
OF Pittsfcld, and Mr.. Harris of Auburn,
spoke in favor'of it, 1t was argued that
when the constitution was framed the peo-
pie were not aware that they would want
TO own their water works. that now the
trend of public opinion was in favor of
municipal ownership of water systems,
that this ownership doesn't impose any
burden because the property owned is a
constant source of revenue, that the
towns credit is really stronger because of
it. With the limitations proposed in the
amendment just offered by Senator Saw
age there is nothing to prevent the secur-
tiles of any Maine town being gilt edged.
Mr.. Savage proposed an amendment to
the original proposition, so that, as
amended, Article XXI. of the constitu-
ton would read as follows:
No city or town shall hereafter create
any debt or liability which singly. or in
the aggregate with previous debts or
liabilities, shall exceed five per centum of
the last regular valuation of said city or
town; provided, however, that the adop-
ton of this article shall not be construed
us applying to any fund received in trust
by said city or town, nor to any
loan for the purpose of renewing ex-
istng loans or for war, or temporary
loans to be paid out of money raised by
taxation, during the year in which they
are made; provided, also, that city or
town may, when specially authorized by
the Legislature incur Indebtedness, or
fund Indebtedness already incurred, for
the purchase, construction or extension of
Il municipal system of water works, to an
amount, which in the aggregate with
previous debts or liabilities, shall not
exceed 10 per ccntum of such last regular
valuation.
Byron ID. Ncrrill of Portland, spoke in
opposition, making quite exhaustive
argument. He said there could be no
doubt, he thought that such action as
was proposed would injurc securities in
water bonds and injurc the credit OF
Maine towns. The amendment was not
wanted by but one city in the state.
Disturbing the constitution was too seri-
Gus matter to meet this one case which
could be provided for in some other way.
If the constitution was TO be changed for
water works why not for gas and electric
plant ownership by towns. 1t might
possibly be all right for municipalities,
that could afford it without impairing
the debt limit. to own their water, system
but this change of the constitution he
thought all wrong.
Eastern Maine Insane Hospital.
The joint committee on Eastern Maine
Insane Hospital had meeting and voted