Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-03-02
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.

| Senator Roberts Of OXFORD TUESDAY
presented an act providing general law
for the incorporation Of free public
brarles. Il provides that any incorpo-
rated village or town may establish free
libraries, and whenever the trustees
shall raise money for increasing the II
brary the state shall contribute 10 per
cent Of the amount raised In addition to
that amount.
The resolve appropriating S300, 600 for
the Eastern Maine Insane Hospital at Au-
gusta had its day In the house Tuesday,
and Was indefinitely postponed by vote
Of y to IS. This was about the first OPP
portunity for display Of eloquence dur
Ing the session. The opposition to the
appropriation Was led by Walton Of
Skowhegan. There were two reasons
for the action taken by the house. One
was the condition OF the state treasury,
the other the fact that the commission
has expended In twenty months $4,000
In salaries and expenses, without rem
dering any detailed account, or making
any detailed report. The senate later re-
fused to concur In indefinite postpone
ment. 1t Is thought that the matter may
be finally compromised by making an APP
preparation for continuing work on the
hospital, but abolishing the commission.
The committee on State College have
made unanimous report In favor of the
appropriation Of tax Of one-twelfth OF
mill, amounting to about s2s, 900 year
for ten years. The fight on this matter,
which Is likely TO be the big fight OF the
session, will come on the floor of'tbe
senate and house. The friends Of the
college are rallying In Its behalf, while
those who think the state has so far done
its duty by the college, aud that II Is not
entitled to large state aid more than the
other colleges OF the state, are likewise
rallying to oppose the appropriation.
The judiciary committee will report a
bill TO abolish the present admlnistra-
ton of the town highways. The bill
does away with working out road taxes
and provides highway commits
sioner for each town who shall select his
workmen. Whether this bill has any re-
lation to the fact that the committee Il
divided on the question Of a state road
commissioner IL not announced.
The committee on education have re-
ported fayorably on all resolves apprO-
priating money for academies, but the
amounts have been reduced. The CON-
mittee also reports favorably on the bill
authorizing the teaching Of cooking, az
riculture, mechanic arts, sewing, ETC., In
the schools, and on the bill provid-
ing that the state superintendent OF
common schools shall have general
charge OF the courses Of study 10 high
schools having state aid.
Petitions FOR the cigarette law are still
pouring In every day, as we'll as an sc-
sional remonstrance.
The petitions and remonstrances on
the cigarette bill have been footed mp,
and II Ia found that the petitioners for
the passage Of the bill number 1886,
and the remonstrants 100. No other
measure before the present legislature
has drawn the interest OF the public as
has this.
Senator Roberts on Friday presented
a bill which would place the supervision
Of the roads TO certain extent under
the State Board of Agriculture. IL pro-
vides for the distribution OF charts, maps
and documents and for lectures at
farmers institutes called for that pur-
pose. The board shall elect secretary
who shall serve without pay and have
charge Of these matters. Members OF
the board are given 81 day and expens-
es when on road duty. The bill pro-
vides that town and city officers shall
furnish statistics concerning highway
labor for the use OF the board.