The Portland daily press., 1899-03-17

He supported his position IN short
speech quoting from the address of Gov
Powers on che subject. and arguing that
as the rule had teen adopted not b. make
ten year appropriations for academies,
there should MOI be different plan pur-
sued in this case. IL Is said that We can
not now in fairness repeal the law. That
would mean that had the last legislature
made the appropriation for 100 years or an
indefinite time, the same argument would
apply,against Its repeal. II was the general
understanding two years ago, that in the
time covered by the law there would be
no further appropriations demanded.
asked President Harr II he should want
more money, said Mr.. Walker, and he
said he should. President Harris was
here in the eorly days of the session. l
don't know that he has been home since
the last session. (Lauahter.) He wanted
$50. 900 drill hall. The University Of
Maine Is largely endowed. should the
law be repealed 1t would still be possible
to remain the president and professors.
The secretary, clerks, typewriters and
farm hands can all be retained and so can
the professor of the hen industry. He
can stiil devote his time to the perfec ton
Of that wonderful breed of self laying
hens. (Laughter.) MIR. Walker argued
that the act was unconstitutional and.
should therefore be repealed. -
General Leavitt of Eastport ridi-
culed the suggestion that the law
was unconstitutional. When the
committee gave q hearing on
this matter, no one appeared until the
time had passed. Then two gentlemen
appeared and said that they did not want
the bill to go unfathered. They did
not object to the institution receiving
the money. but they did want to set
themselves right on this great constitu-
tional question.
MIR. Virgin of Portland announced that
he should vote for the repeal not from
any feeling of hostility to the college,
present law to be unconstitutional. We're
1t constitutional, 1t would not be neces
sary to appropriate the money In each
year as Ia now done In the appropriation
bill.
.Mr. Manlev OF the finance COMMITTEES.
then complimented DR.. Harris. he said
that the appropriation was put in the bill
because there was law directing that
action. He did not know whether 1t was
constitutional OF not but 1t was the law.
"and / win say to the gentleman from
Portland" said Mr. Manley, that II the
law Is repealed the president of the uni
versity of Maine. who is very shrewd
and able gentleman will come here and
get much more: money for the college
than 1t now receives
MIR. Virgin replied that he had no OBJ
lection to the University receiving $25, 600
or more IL 1t deserved 1t. He did object
to this law by which one legislature
bound its SUCCESSORS
After some further discussion, the
House voted to accept the majority report
q, ainst the repeal of the law. Judge
McFadden called foe q yea and nay vote,
but as nobody ioined him In the demand,
1t was not ordered.
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.
The action of the judiciary committee
in reporting the bill to abolish impris-
onmept for debt and give judges of pro.
bate authority to take disclosures has
stirred up such storm of protest that in
the House this afternoon, Mr.. Virgin of
Portland, after Offering several amend
ments, which were adopted, moved that
the bill and amendments be referred 90
the next Legislature and 1t was so voted.
A great many remonstranoes, including
d number from Portland, were received
today.