Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-15
Mass Of important Measures
Introduced, Wednesday.
Joint Resolution Protests Against the
Hay-Bond Treaty.
Lively Hearing on the Three Contest
ed Lewiston Seats.

yesterday, more than is usual in the
early stages of the session.
Two Joint resolutions were presented
in the Senate, one protesting against
the ratification of the Hay-Bond
treaty, and thanking the Maine Senat-
tors and Representatives in Congress
for their steadfast and Jealous work in
preventing the ratification of that
treaty: and the other, requesting the
members of the Maine delegation in
Congress TO use their influence to Sc
cure repeal of the duty on coal. The
Hay-Bond resolve was unanimously
passed in the Senate, but Senator
Staples coal resolve was tabled to be
printed.
The fact that the Hay-Rond resolve
was unanimously agreed to by the
members of the Senate, did not carry
sufficient weight to secure it's adoption
in the House until an animated dis
cussion was participated in by Davis Of
Wateryille, who desired delay in the
consideration of the resolve, and Sewall
Of Bath, who urged its immediate pass
age, under a suspension of the rules, in
conformity with the senatorial action.
Senator Maddocks of Lincoln, in tro-
duced this resolve and in its support
made a vigorous and comprehensive
speech, which elected words Of warm
est praise from all who had the pleas
ure of listening to it.
When the resolve in favor of resub-
mission, which was presented in the
House the other day by Davis Of Wa
terville, came up in the Senate, yester-
day morning, Senator Manley of Ken
nebec, addressed the Senate and said
that the House had referred the matter
to the judiciary committee. File be-
lieved that both branches should pro-
coed in the proper order, and such mat
tiers as needed the consideration of a
committee should be referred to the
one selected for that purpose. He
therefore moved that the Senate do not
concur with the House in sending the
bill to the judiciary. Senator Staples of
Knox, opposed this idea, and hoped the
members of the Senate would not adopt
the motion made by the senator from
kennebec. He did not think that the
members of the judiciary committee
should be allowed to shirk their respon-
! sibilities, and claimed that the question
of resubm:ssion is a constitutional
question and should be considered by a
committee the members of which are
versed in the law.
| Senator Staples objection, however,
| had little influence with his senatorial
colleagues, for the motion of Senator
Manley prevailed by a practically
unanimous vote, the senator from
Knox, only, voting against it. The re-
solve was then referred to the commit
tee on temperance and. the Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration Of other
matters.
One of the most important measures
introduced at yesterdays session was
that presented in the Senate by Sena-
tor Staples of Knox. 1t is a bill pro-
viding for the taxation of the railroad
companies of the State according to
the capital stock thereof AS is well
known, railroad companies in Maine
now pay what is known as an excise
tax, which is a tax imposed upon the
gross earnings of each mile on the
road. The main provisions of the bill
have heretofore been considered by
Maine Legislatures, but they have
never been Incorporated into law.
| Among the many resolves appropriate
| ing money for institutions of public
nature which were presented, yester-
day, was one of particular interest to
the people Of Augusta. 1t was a re-
solve appropriating $4,000 for each of
the years 1903 and 1904 in aid of the Au-
gusta City Hospital. This measure was
introduced in the Senate by Senator
Manley of this county. For the past
two years the hospital has been re-
ceiving $500 from the State, but the
scope and usefulness of the institution
have been enlarged and improved to
such an extent since the Legislature
acted in 1901 that the friends of the
hospital believe the State should, this
year. donate larger sum than before.
And so the request for $4,000 year ha S
been made.
The great Mfllinocket contest, So
called, is on. Two years ago measure
was introduced in the Legislature pro-
viding for the creation of a company
known as the West Branch Driving and
Reservoir Dam Co., which should have
the power under the right of eminent
domain. to take the property of the
HenODScOt LOG driving Co. ana
control the driving of logs on the
Pcnobscot river. But this bill was not
passed A story of proceedings for two
years was had. In the meantime the
management of the log driving bust
ness of the river was placed jointly in
| the hands of the Great Northern Paper
Co. and the Penobscot Log Driving Co.,
and representatives of these companies
have superintendent the work since that
time. Yesterday, in the Senate, bill
was presented providing for the crea-
ton of the West Branch Driving and
Reservoir Dam Co. This bill is some
what similar to the one of two years
ago, but the Objectionable features, it
is claimed. have been eliminated. For
instance, the old bill provided stated
time when the drives each spring
should be started. The new measure
contemplates the appointment of a
commission by the chief justice of the
supreme court which shall determine
when the drives shall be started. In
several other particulars the new bill
differs from the old.
Representative Dudley of Augusta,
presented bill in the House, yester-