Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-18

carrier imam Ii was TWO years ago ana
four years ago Friday was a very
busy and interesting day at the Cap
itoL There were morning, afternoon
and evening sessions, and the last
measures were disposed of and the
farewell words spoken in the time
honored manner. Many spectators
were present. day and evening. The
official stenographic report elsewhere
has the speeches and the whole story of
the day and evening. but below is
given d brief summary of the work and
features of the three sessions.
Nine O'Clock was the hour set for the
session. Friday, but as no
chaplain was on hand at that time it
was some 20 minutes later before the
gavel fell and the work of the busy
day began. Many seats We're empty in
both bodies at the opening, but the
members soon came in. After little
routine business was transacted the
taxation problem came
to the front The resolve offered by
Merrill of Skowhegan. Thursday. pro-
viding for joint commission of seven
to investigate inequalities of the State
taxation system, and report with
to the next Legisla-
ture. was taken from the table by
Chase of Portland, and a vigorous and
debate ensued. The resolve
was ably opposed by Chase of Port
land. Philbrook of Waterville. Manley
of Augusta and Virgin of Portland,
and defended by Merrill of Skowhegan
and Guernsey of Dover. The opposi-
ton claimed that the resolve was both
out of order and unconstitutional. and
that IA commission so appointed would
be without power of doing good. The
motion of Chase to indefinitely post
Ilone the resolve was carried without
division. A similar resolve by Card
1l4i' of Patten, met with a like fate.
b 'hus ended the big taxation fight
Which made SO much excitement dur
ing the closing days of the 69th Legis-
lature. AS the matter is left the whole
problem goes over to the 10th Legisla- :
ture, which will begin its struggle
with it early in the session, and doubt
less accomplish the results desired. a
little later in the session Guernsey of
Dover, introduced an order for an
other commission. The work of this
should be to investigate
the present State expenses and con-
tracts and report to the next Legisla-
ture what can be reduced without in
jury to public interests. After brief
debate this order was also indefinitely
postponed. the division standing Il to
20.
At the next State election the people
of Maine will vote upon the PROPOSE
ton to create the office of State audi
tor. A resolve to this effect passed the
House. Thursday morning. by vote
of ia to 5. A resolve appeared at the
morning session carrying an appropri-
alton of $3GS5.50 to cover a deficiency
in the work of the State cattle COM
Next to the taxation debate the most
episode of the morning SEES
sion was the discussion of the bill in
troduced by special committee rela-
tive to the secretary of the board of
agriculture. This bill provides that
the secretary shall hereafter be elected
by the Legislature instead OF by the
board of agriculture. and cutting off
certain appropriations now allowed
the secretary for his work. Zeal OF
Bangor. defended this bill and was
seconded by Hill of Belfast and Will
son of Cherryfield. The bill was OPP
posed by DeCoster of Buckfield ana
Bennett of Hollis. and the expense ac-
count of the present secretary of the
board of agriculture was very vlSor-
ouslv discussed. The motion to indefi-
nitely postpone the bill was carried. ii
to 60. on the yea and nay vote. 1t was
the closest vote of the session and no
little excitement over it was SHOWN
both by the members and the specta-
tors who crowded the gallery ana moon
space.
During the last part of the morning
sasSiou the table was completely clear
ad If the various bills and resolves up
an II some of which had been lying
there for a long time About this time
.jndefinite postponement was the Or
der of the day and measures were Dur
led ont of sight in quick succession
Those Indefinitely postponed by the
uo,fse at this time included the Dill foi
tho sunport of paupers in unincorpor'
ated nJaces. the bill to extend the GRIM
;,a, iurdisdiction of municipal courts
granting the appeal from the county
commissioners to the supreme court or
the matter of abatement OF taxes. the
bill relating to the expenses OF otat'
officials and employees. and the Dill Ior'
Kidding the secretary of the boaro o.
,~riculture to serve more than sly
years. ,,.;,, oon,
i, the town of Wayne created a hVei.
discussion and was left on the tabi'
until the afternoon session. me LIE"
;ston representatives seemed to zee
,hat Androscoggin county would D.
rohbed by the passage of this bill. whii
I,d.e Philbrook and others claimed
that it only gave the town OF "ayh
i in' due The bill was left on the tabl
for the afternoon session.
Mr.. Manley of Augusta was IN IN
ohai,. during the last part of the morn
ing session and presided very ably owe
The work of the House. me senate III
an,oed in recess during the most q
49, forenoon. waiting for matters t
,,,a nm from the House. AT a nth
a,o,ook both branches adJourne