The Republican journal., 1899-03-16

The legislative judiciary committee has
voted to report ought not to pass on bill to
incorporate the S6O,OO0,OO0 American ice
trust
Among the features of the session March
9Th were a new bill making the governor
and council State board of charities, and a
bill providing that no part of the excise tax
on railroad stock shall be rebated to the
towns where the stock is owned as at pres
ent
Several suggested amendments to the
ballot law which have been in committee
for some time came in March 10th with re-
port Ought not to pass" The new apothe-
cary bill doing away with fake druggists
has passed both branches. Bill to abolish
trading stamps was referred to next legisla-
ture.
A few new measures appeared in the Leg
islature March 9th, Farrell of Van Buren
introduced bill to increase the salary of
the Senators and Representatives of subse-
quent Legislatures from $50 to $3.50 and of
the presiding officers of the two bodies from
$500 to S400 The finance committee has vot-
ed ought not to pass on the bill.
The following have passed to be enact
ed An act to amend the charter of the
Waldo Street Railroad. An act to authorize
the Castine Water Company to engage in
the business of electric lighting and furnish
ing electric power. An act to extend the
charter of the lewiston Augusta & Cam
den Railroad Company An act to extend
the charter of the Bluehill Trust and Bank
ing Company.
There We're several committee meetings
and hearings Wednesday afternoon, March
Sth. Before the judiciary, County Commls-
soners Cushman and Brock of Waldo, ap-
peared in opposition to the act that commits
S1Oners provide suitable room in the county
court house for a law library They said
that an addition would have to be built to
the court house in that county should the
bill pass. The bill had already been passed
Among the public acts approved by Gov.
Powers are the following: An act to fix the
salary of the sheriff of the county of Waldo
An act 4mendatory and additional to chap
ter Al, of the Revised Statutes, relating to
savings banks. An act to fix the salaries of
the Judge and register of probate for the
county of Waldo. An act for the better
protection OF CLANS. An act for the better
protection of shipmasters and seamen. An
act TO create a lien upon hay, for the cutting
and pressing thereof
The committee on sea and shore fisheries
has reported act in draft for the
better protection of fish weirs. 1t provides
that no person except the owner or person
in charge of such weir shall set any net or
seine within 500 feet of the mouth of any
weir under penalty of $50 for each otfense.
The owner or person in charge of any weir
is permitted to nets and SeineS in such
welrs, Fines under this act may be recover
ed by complaint, Indictment action of
debt for the use of the county where the pro-
CeedingS are commenced and prosecuted.
The State tax rate will remain where it is
for the next two years. Gov Powers,
Treasurer Simpson and Chairman Manley of
the finance committee had a conference with
the ways and means committee and IL
was decided that no increase IN the tax rate
Is necessary to meet the States expenses.
The bill relating to the appropriations of
$4,000 annually for the University of Maine
killed by the committee, The finance
committee voted ought not pass on the bill
increasing the salaries of mem bers Of subse-
queut legislatures.
The mileage tight is ended and both par
ties rejoice over victory. The two cent
mileage bill was, March 9th, reported irexpe-
dent by the committee of railways and the
report accepted. Webb of Portland,
Gardner OF Patten and other leaders OF the
mileage party made speeches accepting the
situation and saying they did this because
the railways have promised to make 600
nlle books good for man and wife and to re-
wise present local passenger and freight
rates The anti scalpng bill was reported fav
orably with clause added providing that
all unused books shall be redeemed after
one year. This compromise, however, does
not affect the agitation over increasing the
railroad TAX.
The legislature March 10th suspended all
rules and passed to be engrosstd two re
solves for temporary loans introduced by
the finance committee. The first provides
for a loan of $50 900 for 1899 to meet the
claims of Maine cities and towns for money
paid in war with Spain, and the second
provides for "A loan of $50 600 in 1900 to re-
new the first loan and the war loan OF $780,
600 carried in the appropriation bill at the
opening of the session. The bill allowing
Lewiston to take its water supply from any
pond in Androscoggin county was amended
by exempting Sabattus pond the amend
ment being adopted 50 to 81 by yea and
nay vote. The Senate finally PASSED the
ant-usury bill. The Senate cut down from
$4,000 to 800 the appropriation for i'm
provements at the Augusta insane asylum