The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-23
HE MAKES MATTERS DEOfDBDIY
INTERESTING.
Formidable Array of Legal Talent
the Side ofthe Railroads-Railro Dads
Propose "a Compromisc Agreeing TO
Write "yife" In Mileage Books if
State VIII Pass Law Against Scalp
ESPECIAL TO THE PREsS.J

Augusta, February 22.-It was the
great hearing OF the session in tbs hcll of
the House this afternoon and evening
when the question Of the two-osnt mile
age was heard. Long before the hour
Of the hearing the hall was crowded
and in the seats were men Of prominence
from all parts of the state. There was
an array of distinguished counsel Judge
Foster appeared for the petitioners. For
tie railroads there were present ex Gov.
Cleaves, Hon. c. B. Woodward, Hon.
Geo. ID. Bisbee, Hon. Seth M. Garter,
Hugh Chaplin. ESQ. and Hon. Clarshoe
Hale. So great was the interest that
many of the committee gave up their
meeting that the members might attend
the hearing. Among the gentlemen
noticeh in the hall were President Will
son Of the Maine Central Major S. W.
Thaxter, Hon. Vim. g. Davis and Elias
Thomas, ESQ.,, Of Portland.
Proceedings began with an attempt
on the part of Judge Foster to have an
agreement made as 30 the time allowed
the counsel for argument Ex-Gov.
Clsaves agreed that Judge Foster should
have as much time as any or all Of the
counsel for the great interests represent
ed here. Gov. Cleaves said he could not
agree to time limit until the case was
presented.
In brief opening. Judge Foster told
the committse that he represented 1900
petitioners one-tenth Of the voting popu-
lation of the State Of Maine, who called
for what they deemed to be their rights.
These petitioners asked that seven or
eight railroads be authorized and even
required TO issue mileage books at
maximum rate of two cents u mile. II
! 1t should appear to the committee that the
petitioners are asking too much then the
petitioners will be satisfied II the leg
islature will grant law making mile
age books good to the members OF n
family or firm and Its employees named
therein. l DO not argue this case now.
simply state these propositions. l say
without fear Of contradiction that the
time has come when the people Of this
state are entitled to consideration when
they ask reasonable consideration from
these great corporations which derive
|
nothing but what Is in force In other
states and has been for years. We ask
nothing unreasonable. and 40 ] saio, II
YOU decide 1t for the best we will be
satisfied with law making mileage
books transferable among the members
of families and the heads of firms and
their employees. Whether this question
has been raised here before or not Go
not know. ror do care, but tbs time will
come in this state when the peopls will
demand concessions from these corpora
tlons which were not chartered exclu
sively for private gain. The business
men of this state through their represen-
tatives In the legislature, reserved the
right to regulate fares and rates of
freight when these roads were chartered.
We ask nothing unconstitutional there
fore, ami l know that the eminent
counsel on the other side-for they say ell
the eminent counsel Of the state have
teen engaged on the other side-1augh-
teri, will agree with me when make
this statement in my humble capacity.
The railroads accepted their charters
with these reservations. They are in the
position Of man who takes deed
with an easement and he cannot com
plain If the easement is thereafter en-
joyed. / apprehend that this matter
will drift into somewhat interesting