Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-09
STATE HOUSE.
Sturgis Bill Accepted,
Yesterday, by Senate.
Labelling Medicine Bill Turned
Down by Committee.
Hard Cider and Druggists Bills Nee.
Similar Fate.

BY vote of . to ; the Senate. vas
terday forenoon, voted to accent The
Sturgis bill. The committee On tenn
l'erdnre had submitted Il divided re-
port Oh this bill which provides f,i. j
commission OF three. one of whom shall
be lawyer, 20 be appointed BY tho
Governor of the State 10 see 10 the hot
ter enforcement of the prohibi1ory law
in the various counties of the State
ana the action Was taken Oh senator
MHls motion that report a. of the
committee OF ought to pass or the
measure in new draft.
The interest which this bill has ere
att.d throughout the State WAS t-lirrel
by IN" big crowd present which taxed
the SehtinS capacity OF the gallery ana
ilood-d the flocr OF the Senate chamber
80 large crowd has not assembled
in the Senate to listen to debate on any
question since the members convened
IL weeks ago.
Senator Mills S,lnported his r7otioo
with #n apt ana conN incing argument
Why the Stursis bill should become. i
ia-N and in Il fttv we'll chosen words. ex-
'lnined its provisions and HE means
il would serve in tie better enforce
mert Of Il law which the Rennblir;In
party. last September, promised shuull
be RICHLY enforced.
senator Staples. rs usual, onposrd
the bill in his characteristic vigorous
n,Hmn"r and although his speech at
tines overre.it ned the matter at hand
ana went into arguments in favor OF
the senator's hobby. high li,ers" ;nI
lot III option. 1t held the close attention
of the audience.
Senator S;urgis, father of the bin, al
so spoke in its behalf Sayin" tina; in
spite OF the arguments advanced tnat
he bill would involve an expense to
he State OF so 600 or more. the cost OF
slIch Il commission would not il any
event exceed $100G. Il large part Of
V hich amount would be offset by fires
collected by the commission ANA which
would revert to the State.
on motion of Senator Clark. the bill
defining manSlaughtcr. Oh which III.
committee on Judiciary has voted
Ought to pass" was recommiitrI to
| tho committee. the reason being Of
fcrred that two of the members uer"
not present at the executive session nj
which The bill WAS reported favor3bly.
/ Down in the House, Representative
Merrill took up the majority of the
| lime from the closing up of the routine
| business till l O'Clock. explaining the
| provisions Of his bill to increase the
| tax on railroads. on which the com
mittce on taxation mas voted fought
| not to pass Mr.. Merrlfs argument
was one of the strongest that has been
I advanced in the House. this session
and he WIS especially eloquent in his
appeal for II law that will increase the
tax upon wealthy corporations as 1t
| ohn;:ld be increased. to provide money
| To take care Of the unfortunIteS who
cry ont in vain to the State for all.
! The question was on the motion that
| tho minority report of the committee or
..uI.ht to pass" Ia accepted.
| ON motion of Mr.. Merrill discussion
IF th. measure WAS continued until
This morning. Immediately after orders
| OF the day.
| Enth branches voted to adjourn until
| It o'clOrk, this morning.