Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-10
FIGHT ENDED.
The Sessions Work Rapidly
Nearing the End.
The Mileage Bill Killed and Both
Sides Are Satisfied.
No Increase In Tax Rate-knti. Scalpins Bill
Will Pass-co Committee Work.

The famous fight over the two-cent
mileage matter is ended, and both sides
profess to be we'll pleased. In fact both
sides are rather inclined to claim a de-
cisive victory. So all is we'll that ends
well. and there's nothing like having
everybody satisfied. Both sides made
concessions, and the compromise was
all arranged before the committee
made it's report. Thursday morning. so
that the expected contest in the House
with its attendant excitement, did not
materialize.
The report of the railroad committee
on the two-cent mileage bill was ex-
pected, yesterday. and it appeared on
Schedule time The report was "legis-
lation inexpedient." Webb of Port
land, Gardner Of Patten, and Pierce of
Blaine, all active workers in the two
cent mileage cause. arose in turn and
made brief speeches. acquiescing in the
adverse report and explaining why
they were willing to do so. They read
letters from the various Maine rail-
road corporations in which the promise
was made that 1000 mile book would at
once be placed on sale good for man
and wife, The Maine Central also
agreed to proceed at once. to revis-
ion and REIMBURSEMENT of its local pas
senger and freight rates. wherever
they are deemed unjust, in the line OF
it's invariable policy of benefitting the
public whenever possible. A condition
Of these concessions by the railroads is
that no objection shall be made to the
passage of the anti-scalping bill. This
bill is reported favorably by the rail-
road committee with a clause added
which provides for the pro rata redemp-
ton of all unused mileage books after
one year from the time of purchase.
This bill will accordingly have a
smooth course. and the scalping bust
ness in Maine is doomed.
The report Legislation inexpedient"
on the mileage bill was accepted amid
applause without division. Then to
clinch it, Mr.. Macomber moved to re-
consider the acceptance Of the report
and this was refused with chorus Of
emphatic Noes" The termination of
the big fight over the two-cent mileage.
however. in no way affects the agita-
ton for an increase in the railroad
tax. .
There was a big crowd Of spectators
at Thursdays session. The expected
report on the mileage bill drew many
to the galleries and the floor. The
Senate adjourned long before the
House, and the members of the higher
body came over to enjoy the love feast.
Principal Chase of the Portland high
school and 40 members of his senior
class came to the Capitol to spend the
day in watching the lawmakers. They
were accompanied by Miss Caroline
Gould. teacher of the class in civil
government. The session of the House
was presided over by Hopkins Of Deer
ing.
Outside Of the mileage matter there
were not many features of special in
terest at Thursdays session. A great
number of committee reports were re-
ceived These are now nearly all In
and the work of the committees is
practically over. A joint order, passed
some time ago, provides that all COM
mittees shall make their final reports
today. An attempt was made. yester-
day, to extend this time to March p
This order was tabled and will be con-
sidered, this morning. 1t all depends
| on what arrangements are made as te
! the course to be followed in the re-
vision of the States system of taxa.
ton. Two of the important committee
reports of Thursday were that from
| The committee on towns against the
nroposed division of Old Orchard ant
the annexation of Ocean Park to Saco
and that from the committee on rail
roads in favor of the proposed railroad
from, Van Buren, to Caribou. -.
/ several new bills appeared. Thurs
| DAD. King ;of. .carihoGss introduced I
bill providing that all the excise tax q
RAILROAD stock shall remain with tn
State and no part of It be rebated t
tthe towns where the stock is owned, a
is now. the case. Macfarlane j
fGreenyiile put in a bill. based on tn
New York law. making the Governo
land Council State board of charitie
to have full charge of all charitable in
situations in the State; to recommen
the necessary appropriations for eacf
letc Durham Agricultural Society put
in a resolve for 5000 annually. Their
. was a bill to raise the salary Of tn
Hancock county attorney to $500.
] The room of the judiciary committs
vas well filed, Thursday afternoon. ;