Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-09

men. Mr.. Basney and Mr.. Libby had
some lively debates and exchanges of
opinion on the points involved. Fred
Emery Beane of Hallowell and Sena-
tor Reynolds of Cumberland, spoke in
favor of the bill, and Manager New
man of the Portland Street Railway
Company spoke against it. 1t was a
very interesting hearing and continued
over two hours. Clarence Hale of Port
land, addressed the committee in oppo-
sition to the bill to incorporate the Lin
coin, Lakeiield & Winn Telephone
Company, claiming the general law
covered the matter. Several other
hearings that We're advertised were
continued.
The matter of fishing through the
ice in Great and Long ponds, kennebec
county, was the subject of long hear
ing before the fish and game commit
tee. Tuesday afternoon. A year ago
last fail the Messalonskee chain of
lakes, seven in number. was closed to
ice fishing by the commissioners after
four hearings on the matter had been
held. Now 100 or more citizens living
at or near Belgrade Mills, petition that
ice fishing be allowed. Hon. VIM. T.
Haines of Watervilic. addressed the
committee in strong opposition to the
proposed change. He explained how
the Kennebec Fish Association had
built hatchery in Belgrade, and
stocked these ponds with trout and
salmon which We're increasing and
with the native bass, pickerel and
perch, We're making these ponds among
the best fishing grounds in the State.
He declared that to allow ice fishing
against the best interests of the resi-
dents of that section, who profit SO
much from the increasing influx of
summer visitors. He said that the
summer visitor business at Belgrade
Mills, is reaching large proportions. A
new hotel is to be built. and it is I'M
derstood on the best authority that ex
President Cleveland will visit these
fishing grounds, this coming season.
He said ice fishing would mean pot
fishing, wanton destruction of trout,
and the great injury of the fishing in
terests of Kennebec county. The cause
Of the petitioners was briefly presented
by Representative Field of Oaklond.
He said they merely wanted the right
to catch pickerel and perch through the
ice for their own use. He called on sew
eral witnesses from Belgrade and
Rome. Thomas Colder. Bert Kelley.
George Towle, Frank Johnson and
others. In cross-eXalnination some of
them admitted that ice fishing would
be very detrimental to the fishing of
the summer visitors. In executive ses-
sion it was voted to give the petition
efS leave 10 Wltn0faW.
The committee acted on number
of other matters. 1t was voted ought
to pass on the bill allowing Henry J..
Simpson of Sullivan to breed quail for
purpose of sale, and on the petition of
II. A. Furnish and 1903 others. to pro-
hibit bait fishing in the Seven ponds
in Franklin county. 1t was voted leg
islation -inexpedient on the matter of
a law to prevent The hunting of par
tridges with dogs. The matters of the
protection of pickerel in Grassy pond.
the protection of salmon in Crystal
lake. and the protection of fish in Lit
tlefields pond. Sanford, were all three
referred to the commissioners for ac-
ton. The petitioners that the close
time on beaver be abolished were voted
leave to withdraw.
The committee on banks and banking
had several hearings. Wednesday. w.
4. Haines. on behalf of the Lewiston
Safe Deposit and Trust Company, ask
ed authority to establish a branch at
Lisbon, and the committee voted that
| authority should be given. It was
| voted ought to pass on the act estab-
fishing the North Berwick Trust Com
pany. Senator Hurd explained this
matter to the committee. The act to