Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-03-26
The Week in the Legislature,

Needless to say, the past week has
been busy and an important one in the
legislature. With the committee hear
ings practically all over, the closing bust
ness of the session piled up, and the
members all anxious to get home-much
more so than they were in the four-day
weeks two months ago-things have to
"hustle." A great amount of important
business has been disposed of during the
week.
The exciting state capital question
came up in the senate Tuesday, when on
the first reading of the bill to refer Port
lands proposition to the people, it was
passed by a vote of II to -. Senator
Hastings of Oxford, who had previously
voted no, stated that he had done so be-
cause he supposed he was representing
the wishes of his constituents, but hav-
ing become convinced that the people of
Oxford County were almost unanimous
in favor of the bill, he voted for it.
The Portland state house proposition
seemed TO have met its Waterloo in the
house Thursday, when it was unexpect-
eddy defeated by vote OF ~ to %.
Excitement was intense during the de-
bate and the vote. 1t is charged that
the result is due to influence exerted by
Governor Cobb in behalf of Augusta,
and there is very strong feeling over the
matter, especially at Portland. OF the
Oxford County representatives, Messrs.
Over, Gleason, Martin, Stearns, Wight
and Young voted for the referendum OF
the Portland proposition, and Mr.. Elmer
son voted against it.
On Saturday the senate by the same
vote as before refused to concur with the
house, and there is just remote posi-
bi!ity that something may yet come oil
the matter before the end OF the session,
but the measure is probably dead.
The agitation has not resulted in any
appro priation for repairs on the present
state house, and it is rather too late IN
the session for any action OF that kind
even if it was favored.
The Portland water district got a
favorable report from the judiciary com
mittee, in spite of the strenuous Opposi,
ton of the Portland Water Company.
No state police force will be establish
ed BY this legislature. They did, how.
ever, give the bill consideration enough
to refer it to the next legislature.
A majority report ought to pass and
minority report ought not to pass were
made on the bill for the preservation OF
forests and water powers.
Some bills were presented even at this
late hour of the session. One of them
presented by Mr.. Gleason related to the
compensation and the duties Of the state
Superintendent of schools.
The bill providing for the support Of
the poor by the counties is referred to
the next legislature.
On the petition for a resolve for an
amendment to the constitution so that
the tax on wild lands may be increased
the judiciary committee reports ought
not to pass.
The committee on education reports
favorably on the bill which increases the
state school mill tax to mill and half
The shortest bill introduced in this
legislature, which merely provides that
the dog is domestic animal, started
quite discussion in the house. 1t was
finally passed.
The superior court system provided
BY the bill introduced is turned down by
the committee with the report ought moi
to pass.
Eight members of the temperance
committee are in favor of retaining the
Sturgis law, and two favor its repeal.
Several bills increasing taxation on
corporations have been favorably report
ed BY the taxation committee. Railroad
and palace car companies are increased
from to l-2 per cent on their gross
earnings, express companies from 2 tC
2l-2 per cent, and franchise taxes are
doubled on all corporations whose CAPT
talization exceeds 100000.
Members of the legislature will here.
after receive enough to pay their board
for the session, the increase of their
salary to $500 having been passed.
State officers will hereafter be pro
hibited from receiving railroad passes.
The hearing on the charges against
Judge Chapman of the Bangor Muuicipa
Court, on charges brought by the Maine
Christian Civic League, was completed
Friday, not having been very long, AND
the vote will be taken Tuesday of this
week.
Adjournment was made from Friday
to Monday, not because the member:
were unwilling to remain for Saturday
session, but to wait for the printers t.
catch up with the great mass Of meas
ures now going through the mill.
Although there are q number OF i'm
portant measures yet to be considered
it is thought that adjournment may b.
reached by Thursday.
About the State.