Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-26
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
Continued from page ~


Statutes. relating to the manner OF
assessment of common school fuhd.
reported same ought not to pass. Re
port accepted.
Mr.. Virgin for the committee on
the judiciary to which was referred
bin. entitled. An act to enable the
Compressed Air Company OF Massa-
chusetts to acquire. hold and dispose
of shares of the capital stock of other
corporations. reported same ought to
pass. Report accepted. Bill tabled to
be printed under the joint rules.
Mr.. Virgin for the committee on the
judiciary to which was referred bill.
entitled An act to amend and extend
the charter of Strong Water Company,
reported same ought to pass. Report
accepted. Bill tabled to be printed
under the joint rules.
: PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED.
! An act to authorize the city of Lew
iston to issue it's bonds to the amount
Of $751; TO pay its bonds outstanding
and maturing in the year 1901.
An act to amend chapter 295 of the
Private and Special Laws of 1895. en-
titled, An act to incorporate the Var
mouth Water Company.
/. PASSED TO BE ENACTED
An act relating to Franklin Real
Estate Company.
ORDERS OF THE DAY.
On motion by Mr.. White of Andres
coggin-Senate Document No. II, be-
ing the report of the Topographic
Commission of the State of Maine,
tabled for printing pending its refer
ence to a committee, was taken from
the table and referred to the Com
mittee on Manufactures.
On motion by Mr.. White of Andres
coggin-Bill. An act in relation to
action for libel was laid on the table
to be printed. pending it's reference to
the committee on the judiciary in con-
.currence.
Mr. VIRGIN of Cumberland: Mr.. Pres
ident, while the Senate is awaiting the
return of the order relating to adjourn
1nent from the House. l want TO say in
connection with the bill | introduced this
morning. that it seems to be time when
some action should be taken by the
Legislature to prevent the indiscriminate
shooting of human beings in >the woods
and on the lakes of Maine.
for game in our woods and it is time
there was a close time on human beings
which should be perpetual: and for that
reason | have drawn bill that is very
stringent in it's provisions. and have had
it referred to the judiciary committee
and I hope that the members of the Sem
ate will give the matter close considera-
ton and examination, and attend the
in, arlA ,Iat he
committee may put the bill in its final
draft in such shape as will accomplish
the end aimed at There has been a re-
quest on the part of the committee and
Of the commissioners of inland fisheries
ana game for some such legislation.
know that the provisions of the statutes
relating to manslaughter are broau
enough to cover all necessary offenses, or
all offenses that might be included under
the bill as drawn; but we all know that
neither the county attorneys nor the
sheriffs have brought to the bar of the
court any of the offenders included in tho
class at which the bill is now aimed We
have read of the shooting of persons in
the woods by gunners who simply shot
at something they saw moving in the
bushes not knowing what they We're
shooting at: and it is such cases of Grim
inal negligence and carelessness that this
bill is aimed at and | believe that the
time has arrived when some action should
be taken by the Legislature in that re-
spect for a time has now arrived when
Il large number of our citizens are ac-
tually afraid to go into the woods in
search of game, for fear that they will
be shot by others who are in pursuit OF
game.
Mr. Vickery of Kennebec-Mr Presi-
dent. | am very much pleased to see this
bill introduced. | believe, with every
sportsman in Maine that ii is time some
action should be taken in this matter
People outside of our State come in here
some of them never having seen a deer
and they on their nerve all the time
and when they see something moving in
the bushes. they shoot, and very often
Shoot AT human beings. and this danger
is hanging over all of us who go into the
woods. This act. presented this morning
hanging over such people is going TO make
them very careful not to shoot until they
get something TO shoot at and then they
ire going to shoot at game. | am very
glad to see this bill introduced because it
is time it should be introduced, and | be-
lieve it will be something of great ben
eft to Maine.
Mr.. WHITE of Androscoggin-I would
like to ask the senator if he does not
think that If there had been one or two
good, vigorous prosecutions under the
present law it would have had the same
effect that this bill seeks to accomplish.
| do not make this inquiry in opposition
to the present bill. which have not seen.
| think the bill is in the right direction
but do think have law enough at
the present time if the proper officers
would see to its enforcement.
Mr. NICkERY of kennebec-There new
er has been prosecution of that kind
for accidental shooting, and there never
will be- The officers will not take ii upon
themselves unless they have specific act
directing them to do so. | do not think
we should ever have a prosecution under
the present law
Mr. VIRGIN of Cumberland will say
for the information of the House, the act
rs drawn contains two sections. one detin-
tnEr fha nfrn ..,-