Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-12
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
CONTINUED from page ~

On motion by Mr.. Savage Of Andres
Passport Street Railway was taken from
the table.
Mr.. Savage offered Senate amendment
Az Amend Ds sse,on BY inserting after t
lowing words: and not exceeding the
amount of capital stock subscribed for"
Amendment adopted, bill read the
second time ana passed to be engrossed
as amended.
On motion by Mr.. Savage, bill an act
to amend chapter 1913, of the Private and
Special Laws of 1887. entitled ian act to
incorporate the Fryeburg Horse Railroad
Company was taken from the table
Mr.. Savage Offered amendment A.
Amend section :. by inserting after the
word necessary in line ID. the following
words: mot exceeding the amount OF
capital stock subscribed for
Amendment adopted bill read the second
time and passed to engrossed asamended.
favor OF the town of Hollis was taken
from the table and Tuesday, March IL
specially assigned.
On motion by Mr.. Chamberlain of Lin
of Swans Island, tabled pending the adop-
ton of Senate amendment A, and second
reading. was taken from the table.
Mr.. Chamberlain: This matter came be-
fore our committee in the usual way with
a petition for the incorporation of this
island. At the hearing, representatives
from the lSldlu were present. Oh tiliti
side. and ! think all the facts bearing
upon the case were presented to us fuiiy.
This island is about SIX miles IN length
and four miles in width, containing about
2700 acres. There are other islands around
ii which would naturally be included il 1t
was Incorporated as "A plantation ortown.
At the present time, about 800 people ilVe
upon these islands. There are two post
Offices three churches. several stores ana
good dwellings, This islands supports a
physician. There are 1s5 polls and the
estates in 1896 amounted to STA SOY There
is a town debt of $5l6 and the rate of
taxation last reported was Oh. Two
hundred and iifty-eight scholars are re-
ported. i4i of whom attend school There
was expended last year $l2l5 for schools
upon the island. It appears that there
are in the county of Hancock of the 80
towing included within its limits, "a that
have less population than this island. and
it has at the present time double the
population of seven of these towns. The
valuation of Swans Island appears to be
greater than any other of the Is towns of
said county. 1t seems strange that this
town has maintained form of govern
ment for many years. has voted and paid
taxes. maintained schools and supported
their poor and that there has been no
record from of government. This was
brought out in the evidence by the petit
TONERS. 1t was claimed by the remon-
strants that there was prescriptive gov
eminent that would he binding in any
thing that might occur. and would be
sufficient at the present time for them.
The people arc very intelligent and pro-
gressive, and in the past have been very
prosperous. At one time they were largely
interested in navigation and in the fish
ing business and even now in the de-
pressed condition of both these industries.
they are as active in the pursuit of their
several occupations, as the people upon
the main land or other islands that dot
our coast. This island has n future be-
fore it. And for al these reasons your
committee have thought it best for these
people that they should at least have
some form of government These people
should not be denied the right to vote.
And II they have nj the present time no
form OF government. as the records in
the secretary of States Office show.
there might become in future elections Il
serious Question as to the right of these
people to participate. We feel there is
no injustice to be practiced upon the
people of Swans Island by asking them
10 assume the dignity of Il town at the
present time.
Mr.. Grindle of Hancock: 1t appears to
me that the people there should have
some voice in deciding matters of this
kind. And it is Il reasonable thing that
we give 10 them this right and privilege
They have voted on this question and
quite large number have voted against
being Incorporated. We may fail to see
any good reason for this and I may even
agree that it would be better for them to
be Incorporated but ! do not think that
that would be Il sufficient reason, why
we should pass the bill without giving
them any voice in the matter. They pay
their State tax, have always cared for
. their town paupors, and are an industri-
Gus. enterprising class of people. If they
prefer to remain a plantation and live
under that form of government. | cannot
see what valid reason there is for us to
take that right and privilege from them.
The question comes up in regard to tho
legality of their transactions of business
that there is no record that they are an
organized plantation. | understand Il bill
will be introduced legaliZing the transac-
lions of the town, SO that no difficulty
will come from that The opposition that
! would have to passing the bill in its
original FORM and that opposition out
weighs everything else is that it is talk
ing. from the people rights and privileges
which rightfully are theirs. and in doing
that it seems to me that we are striking
ut American principles of liberty and self
government, So that the reasonable
thing for the Legislature to 90 will be
simply to adopt the amendment aud give
the people. an opportunity of voting upon
this question.
Mr.. Pike of York. spoke briefly justi-
Tying the action of the committee and
urging the passage of the bill.
The question was upon Senate amend
ment A, amend section } by adding at the
end thereof the following words: BY a
majority vote of the duly qualified voters
Of swans Island plantation. at meet
ing duly called therefor. at any time
within two years from the date of the
approval of this act by the Governor"
One voting in the negative and II III thu
affirmative. the amendment was refused
passage.
The bill was then read the second time
and passed to be engrossed
Bill an act to authorize the town of
klttery TO raise money for the obsery-
ance of its 25Oth anniversary. came from
the House. passed to be engrossed under
suspension of the rules. On motion of
Mr.. Hurd of York. the rules We're sus-
pended. bill read twice without reference
10 committee. and passed to be engrossed
In concurrence.
ON motion by Mr. Hincklcy of Franklin
the Senate adjourned.