The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-01-31
Proposal to Have Legis-
ture Elect.
Proposed Amendment TO South
Portland Charter.
ESPECIAL TO rnE rHrss.I

b0AhH bAg 01eo aASA ~ @A ASASeA ~ 49,
Legislature after which no private ana
special legislation may be presented, there
has bean rush today to get measures in
before the doors are Eclosed. Among the
measures OF this greatest interest In tSis
batch is that which renews the discussion
OF the method OF conducting the affairs
OF the Board Of Agriculture. The bill
provides for the election Of the secretary
by the Legislature, instead of BY the
Board, 1t was introduced by MIR. Cook
of vassalboro, and Its principal provis-
ions are as follows:
1.-The legislature in joint session shall
elect secretary OF the Board of Agricul.
ture for term of two years. and may
prescribe his duties, q part Of which shall
be by PERSONAL observation, Investigation
and correspondence to aoquaint himself
with the methods and wants OF practical
husbandry, the means OF fertilization and
the adaptation of various products to the
soil and climate OF Maine; also with the
progress of scientific and practical agri-
culture elsewhere, with view to the
more complete development Of the natural
resources of the Ststs. He shall an
nualiy, by this third Wednesday OF Janu-
airy, present to the Governor and Conn
Gil report OF the doings of the Board
and the results OF his own labors and In
veatigation, together with useful COM
munications, suggestions and recommen-
dations Twelve thousand copies OF said
report shall be printed all bound in cloth,
one half for the Legislature and the re-
mainder, after reserving suitable num-
Ter for forsign exchange, for distribution
under the direction OF the Board among
the agricultural institutions and the peo-
pie OF the State"
The bill follows that which was intro
duced In the House two years ago, and
came within one vote OF a passage
Should 1t be passed by the Legislature,
its effect would be to legislats Secretary
MoKesn out of office, leaving him, OF
course II he 30 desired, chance to become
q candidate before the Legislature. The
bill was referred to the committee on
agriculture.
SOUTH PORTLAND MATTERS.
MIR. Moulton OF South Portland pre-
sented the petition OF Il. 4 Benner and
81 others, praying that the city charter be
amended to prohibit any officer Of the city
being interested In any contract or agrees
the petition, MIR. Moulton introduced q
bill to carry the prayer of the petitioners
into effect. Another South Portland bill,
als) introduced by Mr.. Moulton, Ia that
which incorporates the South Portland
Savings Bank. Edward q. REYNOLDS,
George Il. Edwards. David K. Moulton,
Fred V. Matthews and Frank 5. Willard
are named AS inoorporators with power
to add to their number.
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
1t Is SO many years since the confolida-
ton was completed that people forget
that the Maine Central railroad is really
a com animation of a number Of lines for
merry distinct. That fact was recalled to
mind today, when MIR. Webb of Portland
presented bills merging in the Maine
Central tbs AudIosooggin and Knox and
Lincoln roads. MIR. Webb also presented
a bill under the provisions of which these
railroad companies of the long ago may
wind up their affairs and 60 out of bust
ness.
The electric roads Furnished another
bill. 1t Is that introduced by MIR. Dudley
or Augusta, TO authorize the Augusta,
Haiiowell and Gardiner road TO sell or
lease its property and franchise, to the
Lewiston, winthrop and Augusta Street
Railway. Mr.. Dudley also presented a
bill In relation to disorderly conduct and
evasion OF fare on street railways, steam
boats and ferries. The bill Is similar to
the law protecting the stea IN roads In
these matters.
AFTER THE MURDERERS.
MIR. Bennett of Hollis is hard at work
In his effort to amend the law governing
the punishment of murderers. Today he
presented bill providing for the preser-
walton of the testimony given In trials
for murder, and to render available the
full records of all the proceedings relat-
ing to the trial and conviction of any
psrson foi the crime OF murder. Mr..
Ray OF Dexter put IN Una DILL, winch
failed of passage two years ago, placing
at the disposal Of the Attorney General
fund OF $500, to be used In the detec-
ton Of criminals.
IN THE HOUSE HOPPER.
Among other measures presented in the
House were tbs following:
By Mr.. STAPLES of York, petition for the
incorporation of the York Beach Village
corporation,
BY MIR shaw of Bath, petition of citi-
zens of Bath for the repeat OF the law re-
curing inn-hoiders and victualiers to be
licensed.
By MIR. skidmore of Liberty. petition