Ellsworth American., 1907-04-03

branches had declared for repeal. The
ether propositions centering around the
enforcement or the reinforcement OF
! the prohibitory law died an early death
either in committee or later in one Of the
| branches, or commonly in both. very
| determined effort was made to bring bout
| a change in the State liquor agency sys-
TEN, and number Of bills were intro
duced to this effect, but did lot have the
| votes behind them.
| f;ueh Of the excitement OF the session
| was furnished by The attempt to obtain
the passages OF a referendum oiH id rela
tion to the removal oi the State capitol
At one time it seemed rs IL the resolve
| would receive a passage. but then tn tide
turned and tht gsnerai sentiment seems
to be that Pertlani came much nearer
obtaining the seat OF government this
winter than will ever agsin be the case.
Probably the mosi important general
law passed is the resolve to provide for
Legislation by means Of an initiative and
referendum. 3'h.re was very strong
effort in :ehalf of this piece OF legislation
by the Maine Referendum league, although
the original attempt was made two years
ago. The measure received passage
without dissenting vu,e.
Two laws treating of public morals have
been passed. Thsy prchioit the operation
OF bucket shops aud raise boxing contests
from q misdemeanor to a lawful pastime.
The boxing bill is similar 20 the ordinance
in force in Philadelphia, allowing six
round bouts without decisions.
A pure food law closely following the
national law WAS passed without much
comment The subject OF free railway
passes was q bone of contention for sew
eral weeks, and bill finally was passed
prohibiting ali State officials from using
them. Thon the pay of the legislators
was increased from $50 to $500. Here
after the peopie OF the State will observe
April 10 as Patriots day, instead OF Fast
day, so long a relic of Puritanism.
the movemsn. in regard to good roads
was adjusted on satisfactory basis by
cutting the mill tax proposed to third OF
q mill. This will give the road commits
sioner about $4,000 to be expended in
the assistance of the different towns and
cities OF the State that avail themselves of
the privileges of the act The school mill
fund tax was finally passed carrying al
appropriation Of half a mill instead of
the entire mill, as was proposed, and to
which SO strenuous an objection was reg
istered by the cities.
1t vas voted that tn, State shall take
over the support of The pauper insane
commencing in 1910 Literal approo orl-
ations were made for the erection of
workshop for the blind and for home for
the feeble minded.
The resolve carrying an appropriation
for the building OF new wing at the
Eastern Maine insane hospital was passed
without dissenting voice.
There have been passed two laws in re-
lation to labor conditions raising the mini
mum age at which minors can be regularly
| employed in mills or factories from twelve
to fourteen years, and establishing more
| sanitary conditions in work shops and
| factories.
There were as usual many changes made
in the game laws. Laws were passed pro-
| tecting grey and black squirrels, extend
ing the duck law, one month during De-
cember; permitting the hunting of golden
eye and whistler in Hancock county in
January; license is now required only to
buy deer skins, otter, sable and fisher;
close season on muskrats changed SO that
it is now unlawful to kill any muskrats
from May to Dec. l; the length of land
locked salmon is fixed at twelve inches; of
4 L =