The Portland daily press., 1901-02-07

bill for the reason that ne dlu NOS Wish
10 see the STATE OF Maine degenerate In
20 a stats where lynohings might oc-
cur. lie also believed that the restora-
tion of capital punishment would make
Il safer for the officials OF the state pris-
on.
Railroad Commissioner Cbadbourne
also spoke In favor OF the bill Ex-
County Attorney Heseitine OF Gardiner
said that he thought the passage of the
law would have a deterrent effect on
persons who might otherwise commit
murder.
Representative Walker OF Stark and
LittlehaIe OF Union opposed the measure.
Mayor Mortland Of Rockland. who spoke
in opposition, said that he believed that
the dstailed stories of executions have
done in the past more harm In many
communities than murder itself. We
should progress, ha declared, rather than
20 back to the slokening details OF exc
buttons. Capital punishment will not
prevent the commission OF ths crime OF
murder. l hope there will be no hasty
action. Don't go back to the dark ages.
Hon. George Pottle OF Lewiston In
speaking egainst the bin, said 1t was
the function OF the state to punish. not
to vetaliate. All revenge lie crime. lie
hoped that he would not live to ses she
time when the death penalty would be
revived.
The bill was tabled for action In
executive session.
f. ID. Marshall, Esq, appeared In favor
OF the bill to incorporate the York Vii
lage corporation. The features OF the
charter were disoussed at length by
Mr. Marshall ana members Of the COM
mittse. Among other things it provides
that summer residents may participate In
Its affairs,
"whAt do you mean, to voter" inquired
Senator Weeks.
nYes, in the affairs of the corpora
tion," replied Mr.. Marshall.
Mir. Marshall was the only speaker on
the matter
THE TELEPHONE LAW.
Before the railroad committee this at
tsrnoon, REPRESENTATIVE Hili of Belfast
appeared in favor OF his bill to repeal
the provision of the law OF 1898 by
which the consent OF an existing com
pany is necessary before company or
ganized under the general law can enter
territory occupied by the first company
al believe said MIR. Hill, that no tele-
phone company should have monopoly
OF the business in this state. These COM
panies are organized for the purpose of
haN
tltion would cause better saryice and a
reduction in the rates, Take the town
of Camden, for instance, where there
are two companies. The rates are low
and / understand that the service Is ex'
cellent. have had no quarrel with any
company whether 1t be the New Eng
land or the Eastern. In sact, have no
grievance against any concern. don't
care what company 1t affects. but pro-
test against the present 10 W. The state
has no more right to say whether this
company or that company shall do busi-
ness or not than 1t has 20 say who shall
raise hay or keep country store. There
are two remedies which might be ad-
piled II the telephone companies Insist
onEthe pressnt system. First, the legisla
ture might regulate the rates; second. the
national government might assume con
troll, which hope will be done some
day"
Hon. CIarencs Hale of Portland, repre-
senting the New England company,
spoke in opposition TO the BILL He said
In part: "Fhe proposition that tele-
graph company, a public concern, should
be classed as grocery store or with the
raising of hay is absurd. Such propo-
sition is contrary to the policy of the
state pursued since the organization OF
the first of these companies. A tele-
phone company should have the rights
granted to railroad company in this
particular The law of 1895 seems to be
all right. II You take down the bars
you are not protecting the existing COM
panies nor those which will come in
the future. II q telegraph or telephone
company put in capital in good faith and
goes through its initial years with the
hope OF obtaining reward and after ups
and downs begins TO make money, 1t
seems an unfair assault upon 1t that
anyone without a special charter from
the legislature should be allowed TO come
into Its field. The companies now in
existence. should be protected. This is a
serious matter. 1t allows the organizs-
tion OF a company merely to get a clutch
at the throat of an existing company,
when public convenience does not de-
mand 1t. If there Is dissatisfaction with
the rates an appeal may be taken to the
Supreme court.
Franklin Z. Payson Esq, also spoke
against the bill. lie said that should it
become law three men may sit in an
office, organize a company and do busi-
ness without any Investigation into the
necessities OF the casa. The proposition
seemed to him TO be absurd. The three
men would really be given the right of
eminent domain without any assurance
that the public would be benefited.
Hon. Herbert M. Heath and Hon.
Charles T.. Libby supported the bill to