Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-12

The committee on appropriations
and financial affairs, yesterday, sub
mitted statement showing the
amount of money asked of the State,
the total recommended by the various
joint standing committees, the amount
approved by the committee on appro-
priations and financial affairs and the
total approved by the Governor. This
statement shows that the total re-
quests thus far made aggregate $S19,-
48440 for 1903 and $500, 00S.57 for 1904.
The recommendation of committees
foot up $224 ,S7350 for 1903 and $194,
06600 for 1904, while amounts favor
ably reported by the financial COM
nittee are s130,SS7.4S for 1903 and
$128,116.OO for 1904. The first appro-
priation bill, which has been approved
by the Governor, carries with it the
sum of $1375, 906.55. Besides this sum
there must be appropriated at least
$275, 900 for payroll of legislators, salar
les of State officers and other require
ments of law.
The estimated receipts for the year
1903 are stated to be $2,177,7S4. 1t
will be seen that the first bill and the
amount that must be provided makes
a total of $3.50 906.55, leaving only
1926, S77.44 to appropriate for the vari-
Gus State and charitable institutions
now knocking at the doors of the State
treasury.
Therefore. it is apparent that nearly
one-half of the requests thus far
made must be cut out by the COM
mittee on appropriations and financial
affairs, or the State must again borrow
money temporarily.
The bill calling for the establish
ment of State labratory was adj
versely reported upon by the judiciary
committee. This report was accepted
in the Senate, but. yesterday, the
House voted to recommit it to the
committee. The Senate receded and
concurred and the matter goes back for
further consideration. The bill is a
matter that has been pending in former
Legislatures but never with success.
1t provides for the appointment of
a director, who shall be paid what
ever sum the State Board of Health
may prescribe. and it also requires
$4,000 with which to purchase instru-
ments and apparatus. The claim is
made that the matter was not suffi-
GENTLY understood by the committee
Mt the time it's action was taken.
Before the committee on railroads.
telegraphs and expresses, appeared
Hugh r. Chaplin of Bangor, in favor
of the act for the protection OF rail-
road signals. He advocated this meas
ure so that some punishment may be
melted to persons who maliciously or
wantonly destroy or damage lanterns.
lights and other signals of railroad
companies. The bill is a counterpart
of the Massachusetts, law, and imposes
penalties not exceeding $500 fine or
not more than two years Imprisonment
or both.
Hon. Herbert NJ. Heath appeared in fa-
vor of the bill relating to taking gravel
pits and lands for street railroads. He
Submitted an amendment to the printed
hill. which provides that no land shall be
taken which is used or occupied by any
other railroad except by order of the rail-
road commissioners for the purpose of
avoiding grade crossings. The bill really
riyes the street railroads the same power
of eminent domain in such matters that
steam railroads now enjoy
: Mr.. Heath also appeared in favor of
fire bills relating to street railroad loca-
tons. to enlarge the power of the rail-
road commissioners over street railroads;
and the bill extending sundry existing
..4 .or,t ;r.y 70 ct,.aaf railroads One