The Portland daily press., 1901-01-04


recall the like. And ths bill which went
through ths legislative mill today was a
Portland measure. 1t is needless TO add
that 10 was one of Importance. 1t Is de-
signed to prevent contemplated action
which might have an injurious effect
on the growing ocean trade OF the port.
The haste to get the measure enacted
was due to the fact that the New York
Produce Exchange has recently taken
action TO sst the stamp OF Its approval
on certain Atlantic cities as export
ports for grain aud other produce. News
OF this contemplated action reached the
ears of the Grand Trunk railway man
agement and with It came the announce
ment that Portland was not to be includ-
ed in the list because thsre was no pro-
vision for grain inspsction at the Maine
port. The effect Of shutting Portland
out would have been injurious to the
Maine city's trade as consignees OF grain
across the big pond would very likely
demand that their consignmsnts should
come through the certified ports. To
maks arrangements for the required
system or Inspection an amendment to
the charter OF the Portland Board OF
Trade was necessary. So the Board of
Trade managers were called together aud
the bill was drafted. On the forenoon
train today came Leroy l., Hight, with
the typewritten measure In his green
bag. MIR. Hight saw President Hamlin
and Speaker Maniey and explained the
situation to them. Engrossing Clerk
Russell called up the stats printing office
by telephone ana notified them to have
the engrossing type ready and nimble-
fingered campositors waiting. A type
writer made copy of the bill for the en-
crossing Office and $50, the wheels OF the
mill having bsen fabricated, the measure
went into the hopper. IL was introduced
In the HOUSE by Mr.. Webb, who made
a brief explanation of iss purpose and
moved that 1t be passed TO be engrossed
under suspension OF the rules, Then 1t
was hustled across the lobby to the up
per house ard parsed there In the same
manner. In the meantime the engrossed
copy had been prepared and then as soon
as it reached the State House, the newly
appointed committee on engrossed bills
were gotten together. They compared
the engrossed copy with the original
and In the language OF the report found
1t to be truly and correctly engrossd
Then 1t again went through the two
houses and was passed to be enacted.
Gov. Hill was somewhat surprised to
find now soon after his Inauguration he
had been given an opportunity 10 afiix
his signature to measure which had
passed both branches. The purpose OF
the bill was explained to him and at
quarter-raet two. ne signed it. Thus
this amendment to the charter of the
Portland Board of Trade Is the first
measure to come before Gov. Hill. the
tioyernor said to the correspondent of
the PRESS shortly after writing his
name at the bottom Of the parchment,
that he was glad to be able to do what
he could to assist In building up the
trade of Portland. The act amends the
charter OF the board by inserting In
the enumeration of its powers the follow
ing: "Also to apnoint q committee on
inspection of producs for the port of Port
land, which committee shall have power
to examine and choose inspectors OF
produce for said port; ali inspectors shall
be sworn to a faithful, impartial and
diligent performance Of the duties OF
inspectors of produce, ana shall be au-
thorized to issue certificates OF quality
Of the produce by them examined; said
committee ON inspection Of prod ucs
are further empowered to act in arbitra-
ton Of differences arising from such In
spection between said inspectors and
the parties VINO ship, transport o. receive
said product; said committee and inspec.
tors to be further governed by such rules
and bye laws In relation 10 their duties as
have been or may hereafter from time to
tins bs adopted by said corporation, not
repngnant to the laws ana Constitution
OF this state /"
Now the bylaws authorized by the
amendment will be formulated and when
Continued on Second Page.