Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-14

1t shall have recorder instead of a
clerk as at present; and local capital
there wants a charter to form a new
corporation to furnish electricity and
gas" Judge Phflbrook is one of those
genial, jolly gentlemen who are popular
with all, and thus early in the session
he is taking prominent part in it's
work.
The clerk of the House and the Sec
rotary of the Senate have each been
authorized by their respective branches
to employ stenographer and type
writer during the session, help much
needed and appreciated by them. Mr..
Cotton has selected Miss Eva L. Shorey
of BridgtOn, and Mr.. Dunbar will be
assisted by Miss Julia Folsom of Au-
gusta. and both We're at their posts.
yesterday. Both are stenographers and
typewriters of ability and experience
The railroad commissioners. with Col
E. c. Harrington. clerk to the board,
will so to Portland today to conduct
the hearing relative to the recent acct
dent on the Grand Trunk at Danville
Junction. Quite number of witnesses
have been summoned and the matter
will be thoroughly examined. 1t is
thought the accident was due to a flaw
in rail for which nobody can be held
responsible.
Augusta is we'll represented on the
committees. as she deserves to be not
only by reason of her important in
terests but also because of the ability
of her representatives. Mr.. Williams,
who served SO creditably on
the railroad and finance COM
mittees at the last session has
wisely been re-appointed to them, be-
ing chairman. on the part of the House,
of the former committee. In the work
of both these highly important COM
mittees Mr.. Williams has had expert
upon them at the last session, that will
be very valuable. Mr.. Macomber,
though this is his first term, has re-
ceived appointment to the railroad
committee, a deserved recognition of
his enviable business reputation
the State and his thorough
knowledge of matters pertaining to
railroads.
The Capitol flag remained at half
mast, yesterday, but there was little
other evidence that the business of the
session had been suspended as mark
of respect to the memory of an eX-Gov-
ernor. Occasionally a group of men who
had personally known Mr.. Davis were
words of sincere regret and sorrow that
it had been cut off so early and so sud-
denly. Some. in reminiscent mood, told
stories of the eventful days about the
time that Gov. Davis occupied the
Executive chair, and rehearsed to in
terested hearers tales of the exciting
count out scenes when the State House
was fortress with armed men and
Gattling guns defending it, and when
rifles through holes in the lofty ceiling
the hall of the House.
Prof Baker of Brunswick the
colored whistler, singer and all-round |
musical artist, drifted around to the |
Capitol in the afternoon, and enter
tanned the crowd with unique and |
varied programme.
Superintendent of Schools Stetson is |
an exhibit that will be we'll |
worth inspecting. During his trip to
Aroostook last year. he became much |
in the schools of the French |
settlements in the extreme northwest
ern portion of the county. Here. in Van |
Buren,, Grand Isle, Madawaska, French |
Vile and neighboring towns and plan
where English is almost an un-
heard tongue and the people are un-
educated and poor beyond our compre-
hension, are scores of schools. kept in |
log huts and upholstered cabins. whose |
sad condition he is using every effort |
to improve. The little French children |
are remarkable bright and quick to |
learn, and much progress is being made
among them and their teachers. Manual |
training work has been taken up among |
them and the results are astonishing. |
The teachers of that section have sent |
Mr.. Stetson several large boxes filled |
with the specimens of their handiwork.
and these are to be arranged in one CT
the rooms over the school department
where they will make up as curious and
UNIQUE collection as one could wish
to examine. The little French pupils
seem to have the true mechanical in
,tinct and have made in miniature. with
striking fidelity, houses. sleiShs, agri-
cultural implements. etc, as we'll as
flowers, fans, and toys. There are maps