The Portland daily press., 1899-03-02
REFERENCE CHANGED.
| hummer Till Goes To University Of
faine Committee
CALLS FOR RrPEAL OF $4,000 a
YEAR LAW.
story That Presideut Iiarrih u TN
friendly 20 ihe Aeademies-usury
Law Under Considerstion-Pr
Close Time ON CLANS.

friendly 20 the Acade m ics-usury
Law Under Considerstion-Prop
Close Time ON CLANS.
ESPECIAL 40 THE PnEss.l
| Augusta, March 1.-The bill 10 repeal
the law giving the University Of Maine
so, 900 annu Ally for ten years. dating
| from 1897, was referred by the House this
morning to the committee on the univer-
sity. after several pathetic appeals to the
members sense of the fitness of things.
The House yesterday voted to refer the
matter TO the legal affairs committee.
The question came up today OF u motion
! TO reconsider that reference. Incidentally,
members referred to stories floating
about and 1t was pointed out that DIR.
| Harris. president OF the university, was
| the friend of all institutions of learning
including the much discussed academies.
! Mr.. Gardiner OF Patten stated that he
saw no reason whya measure relating
to the University of Maine should not go
to the university committee lie was
frank to say that he Thought there was a
hidden meaning in this attempt to send
the matter to the legal affairs committee,
and IL cloaked all assault on the univer'
sity. story has been circulated In
this state House declared Mr.. Gardiner,
| that the president of the university has
been hostile to academies. l believe
| that he is the friend of education and
! that this story is part of the attack
on the university. IL the matter is to
/ be discussed on the ground that applica-
| tions should not be made for more than
two years, let that he introduced as u
general proposition.
Mr.. Hutohings of Brewer next took mp
the cndgel in behalf of the university.
/ He said that a committee had been np'
pointed on the state university and to
| that committee the matter should be re-
ferrcd. II there is any body of men on
the face of this earth which should con-
slider this matter. it is the committee on
the university.
Judge Philhrook of WateIville appeared
in the role Of the.peace maker. he stood
upon the courtesies and the precedents Of
the situation. Let Us consider the mat
ter calmly and dispassionatelr, pleaded
the MaterviIle man. | do not think that
we should pay any attention to the stories
circulated in this House. The committee
on the University of Maine has been
selected to do the work of preparing
measures relating to the university ana
| it has 30 far done its work satisfactorily.
! Should :he committee report the bill ad-
versely the House would be willing to
listen to any argument TO he presented In
its favor.
Mr.. Plummer of Portland, who moved
the reference, explained that he had done
so not because of a disposition to criticize
the University of Maine or the gentlemen
who preside over it but beoa Use of the
thought that the matter involved grave
legal considerations and should go to a
committee consisting of men skilled in
the law.
MIR. Gardiner renewed his suggestion
that in that case the gentleman should
present general proposition for the con-
sideration of the committee.
Judge Philbrook continued in his role
of peacemaker. He said that he did not
think the great legal questions existed
but If such was the case he thought the
committee on the university would take
counsel in regard to them.
Gen. Leavitt of East port, a mem Der of
the university committee followed. 81
assure the House." he said, that the
committee is not overworked and / oan
say that / am in sympathy with the
spirit which prompted the introduction
OF this measure, but think in fairness 1t
should go to the committee on universi.
ty.
The vote resulted 80 to II in favor of "a
change of reference and the university
committee got the bill.
AGAINST USUsY.
In the Senate this morning, there was
a tilt between Messrs. Reynolds and
Blanchard over the usury bill, and it was
a drawn battle. MIR. Reynolds supported
the bill lie referred to the testimony be-
] fore She committee. that extortionate rates
of interest have been charged in many
| localities in the state. The bill had been
put In its present state of perfection after
much hard work and careful study by the
committees. Pennsylvania has law on
the subject and the pending bill is based
on the New York statute 1t provides
that in loans of over $500. when it is
claimed. the conditions are unjust. appeal
may be made to the Supreme court for a
| settlement. For less amounts, there
shall not be charged more than three per
cent for three months and on loans of
over that the rate shall not exceed
eighteen per cent year. Does any one
want to pay more than that? An far as
we can We ought,to tighten the burdens
of the poor. Their burdens ara heavy and
we all know it.
Mr.. Blanchard opposed the bill on the
ground that 1T did not BIT the object
aimed at 1t was understood in tn ,
IIouse that the bill would be killed in the
i