The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-03-19
rsrEc1AL TO THE PREss.l

[sfEcIAL TO THE PREss.1
Augusta, March 1s.-The leaders Of
the fight for the hospital resolve now
think that they made mistake in in
sisting that the resolve 90 before the
House without change to abolish the
commission. 10 be sure, Mr.. Austin
offered an amendment to that effect
which was accepted. The members who
voted against the amendment and then
against the resolve say that they had
designed to kill hog and they wished
TO kill good fat one, so it does not seem
to be sure that the resolve would have
gone through even OF it had been put
in minus the commission.
Immediately after the contest in the
House today, Mesurs. Palmer, Pearl and
StetEon Of Bangor who have been steer
ingkths resolve, thought that with the
House in It's present temper 1t would
not be advisable to have third trial,
but as the afternoon wore away they be-
gan oanvassing third resolve carrying
a smaller appropriation to he expended
under the direct supervision Of tho
Governor and Council with NO commits
sion.
In doing this they fully realize that
by reducing the amount they strength
en- the assault made by the opposition
on the ground that the commission had
stated that the desired buildings could
not be put up for less than $500, 900
But, on the other hand, they can argue
that this was statement Of the com mis-
sion and that having abolished that body
its opinion may be obliterated from all
liberations on the question.
Mr.. Palmer said this afternoon that
by an actual canvass made by the House
yesterday the resolve had 70 votes and
that the Washington, Knox and Cumber-
land house delegations seemed to be al
most unanimously in favor Of the re-
solve with commission.
1t will be noticed that counting those
who were paired to oppose the resolve
just that number voted for indefinite
postponment, coincidspce of course.
but ghastly one for those who said
eve prefer to let the whole thing 60
rather than give up the commission"
Mr.. Pearl said this afternoon: ~ am
not being interviewed, but you may
say though, that We are not dead. Fitz
simmons fought yesterday, and they re-
ported him dead today, but I under
stand that he is still breathing. We
fought this morning, and with all re-
ports to TIE contrary we are not dead.
What. IL more, we expect 90 get out Of the
woods sooner or later"
Mr.. Merrill of Portland-"T present
proposition 10 dead. Non-concurrence
in the Senate would not reverse the
action Of the House. OF course no one
can toll what would happen if thsy were
to put in resolve for 500. COS and do
away with the commission"
Senator Engel Of Penobscot-"I think
the Senate Will non-conour. Then there
will be oommittee Of conference.
MIR. Pattanga Of Mnchias-"If the
Senate concurs that will end the matter
for this. s.session. If they non-concur thers
will be committee OF conference and
future action depends largely on how
that COMMITTEES is made up"
The committee report ON the order to
inquire into the advisabllity Of changing
the insolvency law to provide for given
indebtedness before the law can be in
voked and stated dividend before
discharge IL granted WAS "lesislAtion
inexpedient. The committee has not
drafted bill and therefore has nothing
op which a report of fought to pass
could be made.
The committee ON federal relations
voted today to report that the bill to
subsidize bridge across the st. John
river at Fort Kent to the extent Of $a5,
600 he referred to the next legislature.
The commiste ON legal affairs voted to
repors ought to pass on bill to establish
HarpsweIl Village corporation, and bill
to provide that the governor appoint
disclosure commissioners to succeed the