Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-02-19
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.

An act to incorporate the Bethel Sewer
Co. has been introduced by Mr.. Petten-
gill.
The committee has not yet reported on
the matter, but it is considered probable
that the September deer law is doomed.
The judiciary committee, to whom the
bill to restore capital punishment was
referred, unanimously reported that 1t
fought not to pass" and the report was
accepted without word.
The committee on agriculture voted
to report ought to pass on the resolve
carving $500 TO enable the State Pomo-
logical Society to make an exhibit at the
Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo.
MIR. Prince has presented an act so
that any soldier who received an honor
able discharge from the civil war under
an assumed name shall not be considered
a pauper or be subject to disfranehise-
ment for that cause.
The first outburst of eloquence in the
house came on Wednesday, when the
two committee reports on the Eastern
Telephone Co. were taken up. The bill
in question amends the charter OF the
Eastern Telephone Co., giving 1t the
right to extend its lines anywhere In the
state. Ii is opposed of course by the
New England Telephone Co, OF which
it would in a sense be rival. In the
course OF the oratory, the New England
Company got some very vigorous
thrusts, the house ringing with the cry
of "monopoly." The bill in favor OF
the Eastern Co. was passed by vote OF
90 to y, and the next day went through
the senate.
There was an interesting and lively
hearing before the Judiciary committee
Tuesday on the bill TO prevent Sunday
excursions. This bill prohibits railroads
from selling tickets on Sunday for less
than the regular rates OF fare. The case
for the bill was managed by Rev. Dr..
Berry, Secretary of the Maine Christian
Civic League, and the principal speaker
was Rev. DIR. Kneeland, president of the
New England Sabbath Protective
League. Several others, mainly clergy
men, spoke for their respective religious
denominations. The only opposition
was q letter from Rev. John Carroll
Perkins of Portland, and an address OF
some length by Rev. II. c. Basney OF
Portland, Seventh Day Adventist. The
committee were inclined to cross-exsmine
the advocates of the measure quite close
ly. They have not yet reported on it.
There is now in course OF passage
a general bill providing for state aid
TO academies, which IL passed will
take the place Of all individual resolves,
and will make permanent provision for
such as conform to the requirements OF
the act. The academies are to receive
fixed amount yearly, varying from 500
TO $1,000, under certain conditions. The
principal conditions are the courses
maintained aud the number OF students
In attendance. To secure $500 per year
the academy must have at least thirty
students, including at least ten from
outside the municipality where the
school Is situated. To receive $1,000 per
year the number of such outside students
must be at least forty. Each academy
must receive from all other sources OF
income, and expend for legitimate
academy purposes, sum at least equal
to that received from the state. Those
schools having large income from in
vested funds are excluded from receiv-
ing state sid.