Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-23

Y" ~ " ~ against tHlS late Oate. AS, a
compromise Senator Fernald of Andro-
scoggin, suggested that the third Monday
of June be named. This was unanimous
ly agreed upon, and Governor Powers
announced that he would issue his Writ
for special election Upon the third
Monday OF June, Unless a special session
Of Congress makes ali earlier election ad-
visable.
The great hearing of Wednesday
afternoon, in fact the great hearing OF
the session. was that in the hall of the
House at p. M before the railroad
committee on the bill providing that a
two-cent mileage beek good for bearer
shail be issued byaeach railroad doing
business in Maine. The floor space and
the galleries We're packed before the
| advertised hour. The many other COM
! mittee hearings seemed to have no in.
| terest for the crowd The railroad
committee occupied seats on the dias
ard the many lawyers had the space
before the seats.
At go p. NJ, ex-Judge EnOch Foster
opened the case for the petitioners. He
| said he represented the $4,000 voters Of
Maine who have signed the 500 petitions
which have been presented asking for
this law. ave ask he said. nothing
unjust or unreasonable; only what Is
due the people. and which the Legisla-
ture has right to grant" His open
ing was strong and able, and at it's
conclusion he introduced in turn a
number of witnesses. Representative
Pierce of Blaine. testified as to the
md ha In,
which the $4,000 signers We're secured
Elias Thomas, a leading Portland mer-
chant. told of high freight rates he had
had to contend with in Maine. Judge
Foster said he wished to bring out this
point, as the roads were claiming a
two-cent mileage would compel them
to raise freight rates. MIR. Nevins of
the Twitchell. Chaplain Co. of Port
land, told of his experience in other
states where such "a law as the pro-
posed one is in effect. and said Maine
scalpers do thriving business under
the present system. He himself had
bought two that morning with names
written in them. OF late conductors
have been more strict in trying to de-
tect persons travelling on the mileage
books of others. He said he represent
ed the Maine Commercial Travellers
Association of 500 members, all favor
ing such law
Col. A. G. Blunt of Skowhegan, a
member of the Governors Council tes-
titled that the business men of his sec
ton were strongly in favor of a two
cent mileage. Alpheus S. Bean of
Bethel. urged the advantage of such
law in this State. Representative Gard
ner of Patten, was next called. He
has been very active in the movement
for a two-cent mileage, and he ex-
planned his part in circulating petitions
for the measure. The bill in question
was drawn I'D by Mr. Gardner. Mr..
Lathrop of, Leeds. added his word to
the appeal for a mileage book good for
bearer. Representatives Powers of
Fort Fairfield. and Webb of Portland.
followed in turn. The latter had an
array of figures from the latest report
of the railroad commissioners. showing
the increasing business and profits of
the Maine roads. On cross-examina-
ton his figures were somewhat shaken
by Mr.. Woodland, representing the
roads.
Mr.. Gardner came back to the stand
and asked the railroad lawyers for in
formation as to the number of passes
issued last year. but was given no re-
ply Mayor Stafford of Hallowell. testi-
fled that the scalping business is car
ried on under the present system of
mileage books. Mr.. Gardner was called
back and there was some interesting
and lively examination and cross-ex-
animation on the matter of free
passes. 1t was now 5.15 p. NJ. and at
this point Judge Foster rested the case
of the petitioners. Among other docu-
ments presented by the petitioners was
a long memorial by A. w. Weatherbee
of Lincoln, put in by Representative
Porter of Burlington.
The case for the railroads was then
opened by Seth NJ. Carter Esq. of Au-
burn. With him, as attorneys for the
railroads, were associated eX-GOver-
nor Cleaves. Hon. Clarence Hale, Hugh
CHAPLIN, Hon. Geo. d. BiSbee, George
A. Woodland and George Curran OF
Calais. Many of the high officials OF
the various roads were also present In
his opening Mr.. Carter said the roads
only demanded fair play. They ask fol
a chance to make a living, and desire
| to serve the public. He said that the
roads of Maine must not be compared
with those of Massachusetts and New
| York as to their earning capacity. OF
as to their ability to issue cheap mile
age books. The proposed law wouid
cause the Maine roads heavy loss. Mr..
Carriers argument was long and able.
and he had an array of facts ana
| figures that gave the auditors view
/ of the matter in a new light. He
| concluded at o'clock and recess was
| taken till $50 p. NJ.
| In the evening the crowd that packed
| the hall was fully as large as in the
afternoon. At 7.3O o'clock. Mr.. Carter
resumed his opening argument and
| talked about half an hour more. plllng
| argument upon argument for the side
of the railroads. He was followed by
President f. A. Wilson of the Maine
Central, who explained the work and
| aims of the road. In the course OF his
| speech Mr.. Wilson said that if proper
|