The Portland daily press., 1901-02-07

TO select the parts Of a town which 10
preferred. MIR. Libby had looked differ
emily on this question OF fairness when
his company was trying to get In. We
have the same rights as individuals,
ass. ID. warren a. 90 have. Ihe only
real objection on this point Is that they
don't want us In there.
Now as to the right of eminent do
main. We won disagree on the question
OF public necessity but my brother evi-
IDENTIFY has not examined the statutes
very carefully when he says that only one
other company has been granted the
right OF eminent domain. ind seventy
i've such companies chartered since 1888.
bir. Libby-I said electric Oompauiss.
MIR. Gage--I am coming TO that In
minute.
Mr. Gage then mentioned several cleo
trio power companies on which the right
of eminent domain had been conferred,
including the Knox Gas and Electric
company, chartered in 1898; the Damari-
osotta Mills Water and Electric Power
company, chartered In 1897; the Sebasti-
cook Electric Power company, chartered
in 1893. so, said MIR. Gage, this is not
a new question, but L agree with what
Mr. LIBBY says regarding general law
and we ask in this matter only to be
treated as you decided to treat others
There is now an act tabled In the House
giving to the Wilton Electriu Light and
Power company the right OF eminent do
main.
Mr., PattanRall asked IN what to gn the
Madison Falls oomrany expected to oper-
ate.
MIR. Gage mentioned q orham, West
brook and windnam rs towns which
wsrs ESSENTIAL to the company with
Standish and nearby towns as possi bic
fields The company did not care abo ut
the northern END OF the county.
MIR. pattangall asked If there was any
ell ectric lighting in Gorham.
MIR. Libby said that his company hav-
ing now completed its plant stood ready
to do lighting in Gorham,
Mr.. Gage-And we ask to go in there
and compete with you. If they want
your company. you will do the lighting.
Ii not, we will do It.
The hearing was then closed.
Then came the act to incorporate the
Bonny Eagle Power company OF stand
ish in behalf OF which Judge Isaac Ia.
Elder addressed the COMMITTEES Judge
Elder explained how the desire OF the
Bonny Eagle people to build up their VII
Iage by means OF an electric road han
lead to the movement to form CORPORA
tion to develop the water power on the
Saoo river at that place, the railroad to
take the products 30 market after mills
have been built
MIR. Libby OF the committee asked
II the bill gave the right of eminent
domain.
Judge Elder said it did. de said he
had supposed that to be the policy of the
state. hut he now found there was a
question about it.
The bill proved to be one granting
such broad powers that It was the subject
of considerable discussion. 1t not only
confers the right of domain but 1t places
no limit on the territory In which the
company may operate MIR. Bradsen
of BoDny Eagle told of the natural ad-
vantaRes Of The place which in his opinion
exceeded those OF Rumford Falls and
Millinookett. ALREADY large enterprises
are in progress If the development is car
ried out 1t means the building Of q
town.
Mr.. Eugene f. Whitney of Manchester,
N. H., one of ths inoorporators, spoke in
the same line.
Hon Charles +. Libby said he did not
appear in opposition to the bill. lie had
often wondered why this power had not
been developed. What he would suggest
was an amendment to the bill defining
the territory in which the company de-
sired to operate. Mr.. Libby said he
hoped the enterprise would be successful
and he believed it would find an ample
field even with the bill amended.
william NJ. Bradley, Esq, re present.
ing the Blddeford Electric Light and
Power company, objected to the form of
the bill which permitted this company
to go to Biddeford and Saco and gave
IL also the right Of eminent domain.
The matter was then tabled for execu-
tive session.
THE QUESTION OF CAPITAL PUN
ISHMENT.
MIR. Bennett OF Hollis appeared before
the Judiciary committee this afternoon
to advocate his bill to restore the death
penalty, and what he had TO say greatly
interested a Large gathering as well as
the members OF the committee. Mr.
Bepnstt started of with the statement t
that murder was getting to be as oom-
mon in Maine as shooting partridGes.
In the western part OF this state, he
said, there is a general pablo sentiment
that the state should restore capital
punishment. 1t Is an old question; 1t has
bsen thrashed out from the time that
Cain killed Abel, believe in the Bible
and believe that II that Book proves
anything 1t is that God Almighty teaches
the doctrine that he who kills should be
killed. In some states where capital pun.
ishment has been abolished the number