Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-17
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ask for changes in everything. They
abolish the seal they change the form,
but fortunately for US. for the admins
tration of justice in this State, for the
welfare Of the people and our prosperi-
ty we have adhered to the common law
of England which has developed and
grown in this country, so that 1t IS
sufficient to meet all our wants and IS
a part of that system of law which
makes me Il lover of the State OF
Maine; and / ask that the Senate re-
fuse to give passage to this bill.
Mr. REYNOLDS of Cumberland: /
have not such strong convictions on
this matter as the senator from Aroos-
took. l did not consider it question
of life and death, or any approach %
it, one way or the other. We were not
Altogether united on the question in
the committee and as Il member of the
committee who voted for the bill, and
| believe there was only one dissenting
vote, | feel to say word or two in its
behalf.
We all know. who know the senator
from Aroostook, and most everybody
is beginning to know him. fortunately.
Did common law and for the old Gus
TOMS that it is almost like losing a
part of his life or some of his dearest
associations to part with anyof them.
suppose If some of u.s. myself included.
had that splendid equipment in the
common law that he has, that
we should feel differently about it. AS
a matter of fact it seems to me that
this bill permissive one is one that
will occasion no trouble whatever from
1 legal standpoint. | have been in the
habit of drawing wills. l think the
gentlemen all understand that there
is no seal required when a will is sign
ed and yet, as a matter of practice. l
always use one. l imagine that if this
cill should pass. that when l make out
deed. for a long time l should put 4
seal on, or in making out other inStru
ments do the same until we had got
thoroughly accustomed to the working
Of this thing and felt it to be perfect
y safe. 1t seems to me that it is
pretty much a matter of tradition and
is simply one of those things like many
others which 1 hope the gentleman
from Aroostook will live to see brushed
away, as he has seen many in the past
Our statutes. today. contain many
monuments to belief contrary to his;
in fact he himself is trying to add one
| 1t this session. in House bill 331 or his
committee is trying to. in regard to i'm
orisonment for debt. 1t was one of the
ancient English law principles, that we
could imprson man for debt. and we
are doing the best we can to abolish ii
now. and | to a great degree assent to
| that doctrine. l think it rests largely
there that it is not a matter of very
much moment. anyway, but inasmuch
as our committee by a majority report
reported the bill for your consideration
| | feel to say that, from a legal stand
| point. as best l can judge, according to
nv light, there is no danger in the bill
and it is simply a forerunner of what
| undoubtedly will be enacted in this
chamber sometime.
A vote being taken. % voting in the
affirmative and in the negative. the
motion to Indefinitely postpone the bill
prevailed.
| The following bills and resolves came
| from the House passed to be engrosse1
| under suspension of rules. They were
| ;everally read once. rules suspended. read
| tHe ScCpllti tIliIc gnu p'ooSu " bS tii-
| crossed.
| Bill an act amendatory of chapter 500 of
| he Private and Special Laws of 1889, en-
| tiled AN act to establish the Dover mu-
| nicipal court.
! Bill an act to amend chapter IL of the
| Public Laws of 1899 entitled AN act 20
| annex the city of DeerinS to the city of
| Portland
| Resolve relating to certain unpaid taxes
| assessed against certain street railroad
| corporations.
| Bill an act in relation to foreign bank
| ing aSSocia TONS and corporations.
| House amendment \ adopted in concur
| renee.
| Resolve in favor of Adjutant General
| John r. Richards.
| Bill an act to divide the town Of
| Frenchville and Incorporate the town OF
ST. Agatha.
| Bill an act in relation to taxes assessed
on timber and grass on reserved lands
| Tor years 1887 to 1896 both inclusive.
Bill an act to amend section OF CHAP
| ter ll5 of the Revised Statutes. relating
| % the register of probate in Lincoln
| county.
| Bill an act to rc-establish the salary of
| he Judge and register of probate Tor
somerset county.
| Bill an act regulating caucuscs in the
| city of Badeford.
| Resolve laying Il tax on counties OF the
| state for the years 1899 and 1900.
| Mr. Weeks of Somerset, offered Senate
amendment \. which was adopted aid
| he bill passed to be engrosseu as
| amended