The Somerset reporter., 1909-01-28
The State Legislature.
special Correspondence.

By several amendments, Senator
Donigan of Somerset has got his
bridge bill pretty we'll perfected. His
new draft includes all highway
bridges 40 feet or more in length.
One of the most attentive and OBJ
serving legislators is Mr.. Frank
Thompson of Skowhegan who is
anxious to look out for the interests
of his people.
The straight Jail sentence bill, for
rumsellers, has come from the hills of
Oxford County through Senator
Hastings.
We are all glad to know that Gov.
Fernald wants the extension to the
capitol to contain ample and pleasant
rooms for the newspaper men and
reporters. Their present quarters, so
eramped, stuffy, and smoky and i'll
ventilated, have not inappropriately
been designated as 1.-THE Hub of He'll"
The afternoon of Monday, Feb. 1st,
has been designated for hearing be-
fore the proper committee on the bill
introduced by Representative Hersey
of Houlton providing that the govern
or shall have the power to remove all
executive officers, which is primarily
aimed at sheriffs If they fail to enforce
the liquor law.
1t is proposed by bill to increase the
annual stipend to the Maine Agricul-
tural Society from $500 to $1,000.
The people with whom we have
talked are confiden5 that the Govern
or will exercise his veto power if sala
ries are generally raised.
The tax committee is having siren
uous work and don't lou forget it.
Mr. Higgins of Starks has presented
an act foi the improvement of free
high schools. The act provides that
no school shall be regarded as a high
school unless they maintain at least
one approved course of study through
four years of 80 weeks each, and of
standard grade, together with APP
proved laboratory equipment and
shall employ at least two teachers,
provided the town, precinct or union
maintaining such school shall appro-
pirate and expend for instruction
therein at least $3.50 annually, exclu
sive of all buttons received.
Mr.. Patterson Of Scion has present
ed bill authorizing and empowering
the Hollingsworth & Whitney Co. to
erect and maintain piers and booms in
the Kennebec River.
An attempt is being made to push
through bill to amend the existing
law 80 that only one half the wages OF
any man may be trusted, thus leav-
ing 4 portion of his earnings for the
support of his family.
State Auditor Hatch has filed with
the Secretary of the Senate state
ment of the estimated revenue of the
several State departments and insti-
tutions for the years 1909 and 1910.
The total estimated income for the
two years amounts to $7,886, 1897 "a, of
which 81 ,024, 743. 82 is for 1909 and 49,,
S62, 093. is for 1910
People needn't be alarmed at the
amount of matter which has thus far
gone into the legislative hopper. 1t
was ever thus from childhood's hour.
When the legislative grinding Is over,
some of it will come out so fine you
can't see it.
The Maine Sportsmens' Fish and
Game Association is asking for an ap-
preparation for $50, 900 for the fishing
interests.
Bill presented to provide reservoir
so as to increase and make more
constant the flow of water in the
Androscoggin river. Bill presented
for the better protection of the
people of Maine from the disease
known as tuberculosis. 1t shall be
the duty of every physician in the
state of Maine to report in writing on
forms TO be furnished by the state
board of health the name, age, sex,
color, occupation, place where last
employed, If known, and address to
every person known to have had
tuberculosis, to the secretary of the
state board of health within 4S hours
after the fact comes to the knowledge
of the physician.