Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-01-26
THE LEGISLATURE.

The legislature is at last getting down
10 business, and work is proceeding with
about the usual degree OF expedition.
There il no reason 70 expect session OF
either unususl brevity or unusual length,
nor is there any specially radical legis-
latiou in sight as yet.
Petitions from oxford County ask for
81 500 for game warden service for this
county. After seeing the petitions from
some of the other counties, we are in-
clined 10 consider ourselves modest In
our request.
A bill has been presented amending
the Oxford villsge corporation charter
so that IL can light its streets and pro-
cure water for domestic purposes, build
and repair sidewalks. maintain a police
force, and 10 authorize school district
number 10 maintain separate school
organization, was presented.
The bill providing for state board Of
examines for teachers, according 10 the
recommendation Of State Superintendent
Stetson and other educators, was pre-
scented by Roberts of Oxford.
An act TO incorporate the proposed
westbrook and Harrison electric road
has been presented. IL is understood
that the projectors want some privileges
which cannot be obtained by incorpora-
ton under the general law.
Roberts Of Oxford has introduced q
bill making some minor changes In the
lot.
The indications are that the big fight
of the session Is 10 be over the State
College. The committee OF the govern
or's council, appointed under direction
81 the last legislature 10 investigate the
relations OF the state 10 the college, made
its report last week. The report is a
voluminous document, and states, In
substance, that the state, after accepting
the land grant from the national govern
ment, fully performed the conditions Of
the grant, and that il Is under no obliga-
ton 10 keep expanding the college, or TO
appropriate large sums annually for its
support. The work Of the college IL
complimented, and its various features
discussed at some length. Notwith-
standing the report Of the committee,
the friends Of the college are rsllying in
its behalf, and hope for a large appro-
priation, not only for maintaining, but
for extending the work Of the :nstitu-
ton.
The highway commissioner bill, en-
6orsed by the State Board Of Trade but
rejected BY the last legislature, was in
PRODUCED by Mr.. Pearl Of Bangor, and
will probably stand a better show than
before. IL directs the governor and
council 10 select in the usual manner a
commissioner OF highways, who shall
hold office for two years, and receive
salary Of $500 and expenses not exceed
ing $500 year. According 70 this bill
the commissioner shall compile stats
tics relating to public ways and make
such Investigations as he deems neces-
ssry 10 secure better highways. He shall |
disseminate knowledge Of improved
methods Of constructing and repairing
highways BY means Of charts, maps, lect-
ures and published articles. He shall
impart such information TO county CON- |
missioners, street commissioners and Sc |
lectmen Of towns. The commissioner |
shall hold meetings in each county for |
the open discussions of roads and shall |
make an annual report TO the governor |
and council Of his doings, and Of the |
he has 10 make regard |
ing legislation. Local officers shall fur
nish the commissioner with information.