Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-01-19
Two Days of Legislature.

In the past week the legislature was
in session two days, Wednesday and
Thursday, and then adjourned until
Tuesday afternoon of this week. There
was nothing specially striking about the
weeks doings. Committee hearings will
begin this week, and from now on the
legislators will probably make longer
stops at Augusta.
II has been remarked that the two
principal subjects before the legislature
are rum and taxation. The taxation
question appears in the form of batch
of bills prepared by the tax commits
sion, and embodying the recommends
tions made by them in their recent re-
port; and the rum question Ia early In
evidence. 1t was first introduced by
Senator Staples, with his measures look.
ing toward resubmission and repeal OF
the Sturgis law. 1t appeared again last
week, in the form of resolve introduce
ed by Mr.. Hersey of Houlton, providing
for the submission of constitutional
amendment giving the governor power
to remove any executive officer. While
this ia quite wide in its scope, it practi-
cally would apply only to sheriffs and
county attorneys, and its passage would
be a substitute for the Sturgis law. AS a
constitutional amendment, 1t requires
two-thirds vote of the legislature to sub
nit it to the people. Such an amend
ment was approved by the Republican
platform in the last campaign, but 1t
will probably not receive the unanimous
support of the Republicans.
Among business introduced during
the week was the following:
By Mr.. Hastings, petitions for the
opening of Round and South Ponds in
Greenwood to ice fishing after Feb. let
for term of five years.
An act to amend the city charter OF
Portland providing for a city govern
ment "by commission" on the plan al
ready adopted 10 q number Of cities of
the country. The hearing on this will
be held at Portland, and will probably
be lively.
An order for the committee on finan-
cial affairs to consider the advisability
of requiring payment OF a fee by all
persons and corporations asking for
private and special legislation. This
order encountered opposition. and Is at
present in non-cOncurrence between the
senate and house.
The "bridge BILL" similar to measures
which have appeared In the last two or
three legislatures, providing for the
state to take possession Of all bridges
over fifty feet long, and maintain them.
A half. mill tax on all the property OF the
state is provided to make fund for the
care OF the bridges.
By Mr.. Smith of Andover, an act to
ratify, confirm and make valid the
organization of the Andover Water Com
pany and authorize 1t to issue bonds and
extend its plant.
By Mr.. Hall of Caribou, an act to i'm
prove the highways, providing that
wagons with tires less than four inches
in width shall pay license fee Of $40.
A resolve, by Mr.. Rounds of Portland,
lin favor of the enlarg ement OF the state
house or the erection of an office build
| ing adjacent thereto. The resolve makes
an appropriation of $l15, 900 for each OF
the two years, to be used in building.
The passage Of this would undoubtedly
put an end to any talk OF removing the
state capital for some decades at least.
Senator Hastings has been appointed
on a special committee to prepare Q
suitable programme for Observance OF
the centenary OF Lincoln's birth, on the
18th of February.
| Representative Bisbee OF Rumford has
been appointed on the joint select com
mittee on forestry and water supply.