The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-23

srsumentss as to poor boy did not seem to
apply here.
Representative Virgin and others ex-
planned that this was not school for
Portland, but that It's work included the
whole state. Tho appropriation was want
ed TO remove Indebtedness and not for
the running expenses. The resolve was
passed with the others.
THE ROAD COMMISSIONERS.
When the bill amending the road COM
mission law of 1897 came up in the House
this morning, Mr.. Chase of Portland, in
behalf of the legal affairs committee. ex-
planned the changes made by the bill.
This Is the law which has so excited the
farmers. In its present form 1t requires,
among other things, that town must
elect road commissioner who shall re-
ceive compensation of two dollars day
while employed. In many towns the
law proved unpopular and movement
was started that it might be repealed %
that the roads might be cared for in the
good old way of the fathers, which did
not, by the way, result in very good
roads. Some towns found the road COM
mission law a good thing and SO the
committee favored a compromise, The
bill reported makes the election Of COM
missioners optional with towns 1t re-
duces from 75 to 65 per cent the amount
Of the appropriations which must be ex-
pended before July 10 and reducing from
$500 to s1.5o day the minimum amount
which road commissioner must be
paid, Mr.. Chase gave notice that after
the bill Is printed he shall ask its passage
under a suspension Of the rules, in order
that II the Legislature desires to enact 1t
the law may be in effect at the time of
this springs town meetings.
TIE SINUoUs soNGo.
The Maine legislature like the national
Congress now has its river and harbor
bill 1t comes in movement to deepen
the sinuous Songo, the stream made IA
nous by the poets and rendered accessi.
bio to Portland people by the line of
steamers plying on Sebago lake. The
trouble is the mouth Of the river where
there 10 a bar-a sand bar. The river
constantly adds to the sand on the bar
bar. then the river would act as a dredge
and constantly pillow away the sand. Pri-
vate enterprise has already built jetties
out for some distance from the mouth of
the river and the effect has been 10 move
the bar little farther from the shore
but not far enough. Should the jetties
be extended about six rods farther they
would reach the brink of cliff beneath
the water where the lake suddenly drops
to depth of 80 feet or more, and then
the water confined by the jetties would
push the sand over the edge where IL
y 3uld do no harm. The jetties are made
by sinking two parallel lines of brush
wood. between which the water flows
with increased force, carrying the sand
alo ng with 1t.
The banking committee this afternoon,
voted TO report favorably on the general
banking bill which contains six changes
TO the present law. The legal committee
voteu ouSnt hob 10 pass on tne Dill
making February % legal holiday.
The agricultural committee voted ought
not to pass on the resolve in favor Of
the York County Agricultural society,
also on the resolves In favor of the
North Berwick agricultural society.
They give the petitioners leave to " ith-
draw who asked for action relating to
the determination of weeds. The interi
or waters committee voted ought. to pass
on the new drauGht of the bill to extend
the powers Of the Lewiston water COM
pany and also placing lien upon run.
ming logs in the Renobscot river.
The manufacturers committee voted
ought to pass on resolve for $4,000 for
a typographical survey of Maine for the
next two years. They also voted ought
to pass on placing a lien on mon umen-
tai work.
The inlaud fish and game committee
voted ought to pass to bs Incorporated
in the general law, an act to prohibit
Ice fishing in Chestarville; on an act
to establish one months open time on
deer In Knox county; and on an act to
create G ,se time Of six years on deer
on Isle OF uaut.