Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-10


strongly against the present system.
The county commissioners were also
present to support the bill. Hon. Geo.
NJ. Seiders of Portland. conducted the
opposition to the bill, and those present
in opposition included Sheriff Des
peaux. Judge Gould. ex-County Attor.
ney True, and others. This hearing
was quite lively at times, and contin
ued over two hours. Later the com.
mittee had an executive session and
prepared number of reports. The i'll
ness of Judge Smith makes it bad fol
the committee in closing up it's work.
The committee on taxation had
long executive session. Thursday after.
noon, but took no action on the mo
mentous matter before it. No tim,
was assigned for a hearing on the bill
increasing the railroad tax, nor was
even decided whether any hearing shall
be held on the bill. The action of thi:
committee will determine in grea
measure the question of an early
late adjournment. and many were dis
appointed that it failed to take def
mite action. yesterday. The possibilit!
is being discussed of commission t.
consider the whole matter of the revi
sion of the State tax system and repor,
to the next Legislature, this committed
to be composed of members Of the pre-,
sent Legislature who are likely to re
turn as members of the next. A sub
committee of five was appointed, yes
terday. to consider the various course.
of action open. and to report to tn,
full committee, next Tuesday.
The tax rate for the next two year.
was the problem with which the way:
and means committee struggled
Thursday afternoon. The committe,
met in the office of the railroad com
missioners and Governor Powers, STATE
Treasurer Simpson. and Chairman
Manley of the finance committee, wer,
with the committee during its session
The matter of State receipts and ex
penditures was fully talked over. and
was we'll agreed that the present rate
OF taxation, "a mills. will be sufficien
for all State needs during the next tw,
years. Therefore the committee will
recommend that the present rate o
taxation be continued. The talk of tht
need of higher tax rate on account
this winters appropriations is un
founded. and it is a good bit of new:
which goes out to the people of Maine
this morning.
The resolve of $500 for two years for
the Healey Asylum of Lewiston. occu-
pied the attention Of the committee on
financial affairs, Thursday afternoon.
This is a Catholic institution for the
care of children. and has not hitherto
received aid from the, State. Its claims
were well presented by Representative
Balleau, Rev. FIR. Butler. Rev. FIR.
Grolleau. and Rev. FIR. Motion all OF
Lewiston, Rev. FIR. Doherty of Augusta,
and other friends Of the asylum. The
resolve was tabled and will be acted
upon at the next session.
The committee voted to report ought
not to pass on the bill providing that
the salary of members of subsequent
Legislatures shall be $3.50 instead OF
$50 as at present. 1t was also voted
to report ought not to pass aon the re-
solve providing for railroad maps d
the State for the members of the Leg
islature. .e-.
rhe committee on University o.
Maine considered the ACCESSIBILITY o.
renealing the law of 1897, which give'
the Orono institution $4,000 annual!
for 10 wears. The bill repeating thi
| q nnropriation, so far as it applies to tn
wears subsequent to 1898. was explained
and advocated by Representative Pium
mer of Portland, who introduced II II
the House. and also by Senator ban
chard of Franklin. They based thei
case mainly on the inadvisability o
long term appropriations. and maze n
attack on the work of the coilese
President Harris and Trustee Wlisio'
opposed the bill, urging that the cut''il
off of the appropriation would De ui
lust. and would seriously cripple III
work of the institution. In execu"'
session it was voted to report ousi
not to pass on the bill.
The committee on legal AFFAIRS hao
long executive session. Thursday. an
!, pretty well cleared up the matters
| ton1 r. x.atod RI report OH q ldI