The Somerset reporter., 1909-02-04
The State Legislature.


Yesterday was set aside as sort of
field day, to consider the rebate OF
taxes on the Aroostook Railroad.
Not the bill itself, but the proposition
to ask the Justices of the Supreme
Judicia; Court their opinion whether
the Legislature has the legal right to
pass the bill. or course if the Justices
answer "no" that will end the whole
business.
1t is understood here in official
circles that Gov. Fernald is opposed
to the large appropriation of $450,000
to the Insane Hospital at Augusta and
also to the appropriation of 100000
to the Bangor institution.
The members have many diversions
from the strenuous work of legisla-
tors. The reception given them at
Gov. Hill's, last evening, was most
brilliant affair, and they had the
pleasure of meeting as guests, also
the members of the Maine Press As
sociation. In his quarter of a million
mansion, the best in the State, Gov
Hill has the facilities for entertaining
five hundred people at the same time.
Senator Geo. E. Macomber is to en-
tertain the members at his beautiful
residence on the 10th.
At the suggestion OF a message
from the Governor, Feb. IL, 1909, was
made a legal holiday, to commemo-
rate the Tooth anniversary of the
birth of Abraham Lincoln.
Mr.. Moulton of Cumberland intro
duced an act additional to the law re-
lating to contagious diseases among
cattle. 1t provides that cattle to be
exhibited at state agricultural shows
shall be tested with tuberculine with
in six months of the opening date of
such show. 1t further provides that
grade cattle condemned and slaugh-
tered by the cattle commissioners
shall be appraised at the fair market
value not to exceed $50.
The Governor hardly thinks it
would be worth $4,000 to exhibit the
gold lace of his staff at the Inaugural
ton at Washington. So the members
of his staff will stay at home.
Governor Bert M. Fernald, Hon.
Luere E. Deasy, President of the SEN
ate, and Hon. George @. Weeks,
Speaker of the House, will receive at
the Executive department on the af-
ternoon of Feb. IL from 2 to O'Clock.
Mrs. Fernald, Miss Deasy and Mrs.
Weeks will also receive in the council
chamber at the same time. The eiti-
zens of Augusta will give the legisla-
tive reception on the same evening at
City Hall.
Ought to pass has been repoted on
the act to provide for the purchase of
a farm on which to conduct scientific
experiments in orcharding,
No State board of Education will be
created this session. Education mat
ters will be left where they belong, in
the hands of the State Superinten
dent Of Schools.
Mr.. Burse OF Pittsfield introduced
an act fixing the salary of county
commissioners in Somerset at $1,000.
Mr.. Colby of Bingham: Petition of
George Flanders and 1S others of
Mayfield praying that Mayfield and
Kingsbury ponds be opened to ice
fishing.
Mr.. Bemis of Harmony: Petition of
G. G. McLaughlin IL and IA others of
Harmony and vicinity asking that
Brown brook and Perry pond and its
tributaries be closed to ali kinds of
fishing for five years. Senator Howes
presented bill to permit Good VIII
Home to increase its capital.
Mr.. Thompson of Skowhegan pre-
sented Petition of James Lowe ard 81
other railroad men of Waterville,
Skowhegan, Winthrop and other
towns on the back road in favor of An
Act to encourage the building of a
railroad in northern Maine.
Mr.. Colby of Bingham, from the
committee on forestry and water snp-
ply. to which was referred an order
of the legislature relating to inquir-
ing into the advisability of law reg
ulating the taking of fire arms into the
woods in close season on big game and
birds, and report by bill or otherwise,
reported the accompanying bill, an act
to aid in the preservation OF the for
ests by prohibiting the use of fire.
arms in close season on the wild lands
of the State and making a uniform
close and open season on birds and
wild animals on same, and that the
bill be printed and recommitted.