Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-02
TWO MONTHS WORK.
4 Review Of the Massachusetts Legls-
iature.
Avcy Able BODY. Git No Great Amount Of
Work Done.


which this year is acknowledged to be
considerable above the average in
ability. has been in session for nearly
two months. the actual work accom-
plished is far less than for many years
at this period of the session.
Both branches seem most reluctant
TO get down to real work. but this may.
in a measure. be accounted for by The
numerous Interruptions. such as the
election of United States senator,
holidays and the recent visit or the
President of the United States. Then,
again the incentive of important legis-
lation affecting the whole state has
been lacking. there being few large
problems pending consideration ana
special legislation, particularly as ap-
piled to Boston.
The great question of equitable t1Xa-
ton, a commission to regulate street
railways. the gas problem in and ABOUT
Boston, and various important matters
which have been in evidence before
former Legislatures, all are absent
from the petition files, this year. EVEN
the woman's suffrage question failed TO
awaken any great interest, although
yocates of the measure. and for once
the hearing on the subject was SHINY
attence1
The agitation for cheaper telephone
service, however. is as strong IL nos
stronger than ever before. Thero Is
good prospect at present tnat TIE WI
bearing on this matter. which Tor four
wears in succession has failed, Will
pass both branches and. for the mrs.
time in its history, be laid before the
governor for his approval. The New
England Telephone and Telegraph
Company. which controls ana operates
the service in four New England
states, Maine. New Hampshire, Yer
mont and Massachusetts, has fought
the measure with great vigor and, up
to the present session, with success, al
though the majority against the bill
has decreased steadily. until last year,
1t was killed in it's final stage. by only
seven votes. This year those who be-
lieve that telephone and telegraph
companies should be placed urder a
state commission. AS is the case with
other quasi-public corporations in this
commonwealth, and that the rates for
telephones should be materially re-
duced, are extremely confident that
their bill will become law.
The situation is somewhat compli-
Gated by the fact that a new company.
which already has secured valuable
franchises in this city. has appeared in
the field, and the fight now has de-
velOped into ee-cOrnered contest.
The report Of the committee which
has the bill under consideration W.
doubtedly will be favorable. 50 that
the real fight will come on the floor of
the House.
The Cape Cod ship canal is another
measure which yearly knocks. and thus
far in vain. at the door of the LeSis-
Iature. There seems as little pros pect,
this year. for it's success as in the
years gone by but, as it received IRE
governors endorsement, last year. 1t
will without doubt. be rendered re-
spectful consideration.
The problem of building such canal
is so difficult a one. that only the en-
ployment of convict labor, which war
advocated by the governor, seems
solution for the great expense involved.
While this idea is favored by the citi-
zens of nearly every section of the
state that nortion of Rarnstable coun-
ty through which the canal will pass
If built. is up in arms, not only against
horde of criminals, but against the
canal itself.
The p,an for q canal across Cane cod
is an old one. and while the tl,eo,y
seems plausible enough. the practi-
cability of it is questioned. not only by
engineers but by ship-masters them
selves. The latter have commended ar
the different hearings that thew would
much rather risk their ve.;sels oven the
treacilcrous shoals of Nantucke. than
to send them through Buzza,c's bav
which is studded with rocks. and. in
the winter. wcll-nigh choked with ice
Another dra wback is that the differ
ence in the tides on the north and
south. sides of the cape is 50 great
there being a rise Of four feet in Pr
yards bay and l2 feet on the other eide
of the cape. The engineering. proh1en,
therefore. Is almost as Difficult. nc th,t
which confronts the national govern.
ment at Creytown in the con .fr,,c.;o,
of the Nicaray,an canal
There is. an things considered l,,,e
prosncct that tho hj,l r,r III. oo,nst,,,,,,
ton OF tbs canal, even if f,vor.hI,, ,x-
-, -
cithar b., mob