The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-02-02
At Augusta.


Others of Newport, against increase of
salaries of judges of the supreme judi
cial court.
Philbrook of W aterville, introduced an
act providing fo1 the incorporation of
Kennebec water district. This is a plan
for the municipal control of the water
supply for Wateryille, Winslow and
Fairfield
Act giving to the Franklin, Somerset
& Kennebec Railway Company power to
issue bonds for purchase of rolling stock
and other equipment was presented.
The committee on state lands and
State roads heard John +. eprague of
NJ onson, who appeared for resolve in
favor of Ignace Blair. 1t seems this
man has long occupied farm in the
town of Jackman, certain part of
which was formerly state territory, but
the title is cloudy and he wants the
State to deed the property to him so
lat everything will be clear.
The cattle commissioners have made
their annual report to the Governor.
During the past year they made 1853 in
spections, condemned 4S cattle and 81
horses, the value of which was 81 ,94l
The value of the cattle killed in the
previous year was $l9,20T. There have
not been nearly 80 many calls for in
spections during the past year. The
commissioners say there should still be
great care exercised although Maine is
very much freer from tuberculosis than
other New England states. There were
"a cases of CHAMBERS in "estern horses.
A swine serum has been successfully
used against hog cholera.
State Supt of Schools Stetson in his
forthcoming report will cal attention to
the increase of iliteracy in New Eng
land aud the necessity of the study of
certain conditions in Maine by body of
experts. tie further says that the fault
of the school system is the studying of
too many things and not anything
thoroughly.
The naval reserve bill introduced in
the House by Gen. Brown of Falmouth,
is urged, one which should be passed if
only to place Maine ON footing to re-
ceive the benefits of a national reserve
act if one becomes a law. That is the
view taken by Adjutant General Rich
ards and other men posted in military
affairs
Hon f. NJ. Simpson, tate Treasurer,
in his amt al report shows that the eX-
penditures during the past two years
have exceeded the receipts to the
amount of SOS, 776 50. The tax rate for
The year 1S97-9S was "a mills, and Treas.
urer simpson states that the condition
of the treasury plainly indicates that if
the appropriations for the next two
years shall equal in amount the appro-
priations made for the past two years,
it will be necessary for the Legislature
to provide additional revenue from
other sources or to increase the rate of
taxation. During the past year the total
amount of receipts was 81, 1854, 30i 66,
which, increased by 1852, 800. % cash in
the treasury ON the first day of January,
shows The available cash for the past
year to have been $4,000, 654 SO, against
which warrants drawn by the Governor
to the amount of 1851, 931 ID were
paid. leaving "A cash balance on hand of
S154 1873 73 The bonded Indebtedness
at the present time is so, 203, 900.
II the House, Friday, MIR. Adams of
Mayfied Plantation presented petition
of the selectmen of Moscow and 26
others, for an appropriation to aid in
the construction of a bridge across the
Kennebec river between the towns of
Bingham aud oncord; also petition of
the selectmpn of Jackman and Is others;
petition of the tax assessors of Caratunk
and 81 others; petition of the selectmen
of Concord and % Others; petition of
the selectmen of Pleasant Ridge and
Carrying Place Plantations and 80
others; petition of the selectmen of
Bingham and 10 others, in favor of
same; he also presented resolve in aid of
building bridge across the Kennebec
river between the towns of Bingham and
Concord in Somerset comfy.
The bill relating to free public libra
ries in the State was referred to the
committee on libraries.
An act to extend the charter of the
Waterville d Nscasset Railroad Co.
An act to amend chapter 203 of the pub
lie laws of 1893, relating to the educa-
ton of the deaf, dumb and blind were
passed to be enacted in the House.
Mr. Macfarlane of Greenville present
ed petition of o. A. Dennen and others
10 favor of law prohibiting the wear
ing of spiked boots in pubic places.
Petition of W. w. Sawtelle and 43 others
against repeal of bounty on bears.
A very large number of remonstrances
against increase of the salary of judges
were presented among which were the
following by Mr.. Walker of Starks:
Remonstrance of G. F. Gerald and 10
others of West Palmyra; remonstrance
of G. A Merrill and "a others Of Smith
field remonstrance Of {. Il. Jones and
80 others of Athens
In the house Monday a number of re.
moDstrances were presented against the
increase of the salaries of judges, includ-
ing one of p. j. Phinney and 80 others
of Starks.
A number of petitions were presented
for repeal of law relating to road com
missioners, including one of A. w. Mil.
Ter and SO others of Hartland, presented
by Mr.. smith of Hartland.
A canvas of the legislature by one
interested shows the presence of so
members of the Masonic order among
the $50 members of the House. Six of
the House officials are also Masons. In
the Senate almost all the members be-
long to the order.
The judiciary committee settled big
batch of matters during the after
noon. Its first hearing was on an act to
allow the Skowhegan Electric Light
ompany to issue bonds to the amount
of 5000 and secure them by a mort
gage. Hon. II. NJ. Heath explained the
measure to the committee. Voted to re-
port ought to pass.
Augustine Simmons, Esq, presented
the claim Of Arson Academy for appro.
priation before the education com
mittee, Tuesday.
President Mckinley informs Governor
Powers that owing to the press of bust