The Portland daily press., 1901-01-25

nothing left for us but TO increase our
rates.
Mr.. JuIisr had no sooner finished his
statement than he was piled with ques-
tions, He said In answer to a question
By Mr., Roberts Of the Grange COMMITTEES
that the American Express company paid
dividend Of six per cent, but nearly
three per cent of this was due 10 the fact
that in the PROSPEROUS times OF the past
the company had earned large sums OF
money the Income from which It now en-
joyed. We're &c not for this the dividend
would not execeed three and quarter
per cent. mir. Julier said that the capital
OF the company was eighteen millions.
Mr.. Roberts said q few words, declaring
that he thought the farmers were taxed
more than 2s per cent of their net earn
ings.
do they have any net earningss"
asked Senator McFaddsn.
MIR. Roberts was asked II In view of
the statement made by Sir. Julier ne
thought that the express companies
should pay any more taxes MFR. Roberts
replied SC was for the COMMITTEES to say.
: swell. what Is your opinionr" asked
Senator Fernsld.
81 think I will leave the matter with
the committee, sad Mr.. Roberts.
Representative Coffin of Freeport was
the only other witness MIR. Coffin said
that no was not authorized TO speak for
the exuress companies, but be wanted to
say word for the poor men engaged In
the exp Iess business, and he told of one
such whom he knew who after paying bis
expenses had only $500 year left for the
support OF his family ana to meet the
wear and tear on his property. SUCH men
are too poor to be represented here by
counsel. They ara too poor TO organize
to oppose the bill.
After the hearing. the committee sp-
pointed sub-ccmmittee consisting OF
Messrs. Hodsdon, Fernald, Pettengil,
Gardner and Farnsworth to consider the
steam railroad tax.
The committee on financial affairs had
hearings on several resolves In the private
office OF the state treasurer. General
Hamln, ex-Speaker l. X. Stetson,
Father insolvency, DIR. Robinson and DIR.
Lockwood of Bangor appeared in behalf
OF the Eastern Maine General hospital of
Bangor.
Among the matters presented to the
finance committee this afternoon was
the case of the Cumberland County Ag-
rieultural Society. Mr.. Deering of Cor
ham told the committee how calamity
had overtaken tho society in the shape
of fire, followed by cyclone. He said,
in answer to question as to the effect
of the proposed legislation in leading
other societies to seek aid from the
state, that it would probably be hun
bred years before another society had
such combination of troubles to face.
Many citizens of Lewiston, Bangor
and Augusta appeared in favor OF the
resolves making appropriations for the
hospitals in those cities
The committee voted to report favora-
bly, the resolve providing Tor the pay
ment of the money borrowed by ex-
Governor Powers for the completion of
the Eastern Maine Hospital for the In
sane.
i The other matter were tabled.
Mrs. Anrnoins of Portland explained
the purpose of the resolve which gives
the W. G. L. U. 500, the usual sum, for
the care of homeless children.
The committee on education spent most
OF the afternoon In going over the pro
posed bill TO provide for the support OF
the Maine academies nnder general law,
instead of passing appropriations tor
each of them at every legislature. This
bill has not yet team presented and the
committee proposes to have hearing up
on 1t next Wednesday evening, for full
discussion of Its merits. The friends OF
the academies are not opposing the bill
but they are showing much concern over
the way It is drafted. 1t is proposed to
get the bill Into It's final and satisfactory
form before 1t Is presented to the legisla-
ture.
The committsa voted ought not to pass
ON the following three matters left over
from the Goth legislature: Bill relating
to qualifications for admission to normal
schools, bill relating to the assessment OF
the common school fund, and resolve
/ proposing IN dintuNiucus W oho ooAbeith-
tion relative to granting of state aid to
privats institutions OF learning.
i The committee on inland fish and
game had long and busy session, with
almost-a scor of matters to consider.
The order as to the desirability of leg
islation to restrict the introduction OF
the Belgian hare was first taken mp, and
DIR. Price of Richmond addressed the
committee at length on behalf of the
hare, showing its great value in the
m arket and the money to be made in the
business. He denied with vigor that
there is any danger in the introduction
of the hare, holding that it will not live
if turned loose in this climate. He was
asked many questions by the committee
and the commissioners. No action was
/ taken by the committee, but it is proba-'