The Somerset reporter., 1909-01-21
NUMBER 3
The State Legislature

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How different from two years ago.
when the very air was blue from the
contest on the capital and rum aues-
Tons. Now the great, big, good
natured Mr.. Rounds Of Portland has
introduced resolve for The enlarge
meIt Of the present State Hou-e.
mere can be but little doubt Of it's
passage.
The resolve provides that the gov
ernor Of the state, and four others 10
be appointed by him, two Of whom
shall be members Of each Of the two
political parties, are constituted a
commission ard are directed to take
immediate steps to obtain plans and
specifications for such an enlarge ent
and alteration of tue present state
house or in their discretion tor such
an Office building adjacent TO and
communicating with the present State
house a viii provide ample, convent
ent and fireproof apartments for the
various departments, and TO superin-
tend the construction Of the same.
The sum Of $4,000 is appropriated
fer each Of the next two Years.
Senator Donlgan Of Somerset is
promptly on hand with his bridge bill,
which comes over as q legacy from
the last Legislature; and he Is quite
positive he will be able 10 ct it
through this time. 1t provides for
state ownership Of bridges 80 feet or
more in length. IL provides also that
In case # renovation or repairs to
bridge, the expense for the same shall
be pad one third by the city or town
III which it is located; one-thlrd by
county and one third by the State
Mr.. Hersey Of Houlton has intro
duced resolve providing for an
amendment to the constitution en-
poWering the governor to remove any
executive officer who perslstently
fails TO perform his duties, and 10 fill
the office from the same political
party to which the executive belongs.
Two bills were presented, one by
Mr.. Frost Of Lewiston and one by Mr..
Beals Of Auburn, providing for S.
hour work week for women and chill
dren in manufacturing establish
ments.
Resolve presented appropriating
annually for six years sum which
shall be equivalent to one fifth of one
mill on the dollar of the valuation of
the State for each Of the years 1909
and 1910 for the University of Maine,
for general main tenance; also appro-
priating the same amount for the
same period for building purposes.
On the present valuation of the state
, this would amount to about $3.50, 900
year.
Gov. Fernald has given the mem
bers to understand that no extrava-
ant legislation will pass him unchal-
lenged. He says that the appropria-
lions must be kept down and no sal
aries Of public officials raised, unless
it can be shown that the increased
work of the department warrants
more pay. The Governor will not
hesitate to use the power of veto al
lowed him by the constitution if he
believes that an appropriation is ex-
orbitant or unwarranted.
Tuesday, Feb. IS, has been fixed
upon as the last day for the reception
of petitions and bills for private and
special legislation.
Arrangements are to be made by
both branches to have an elaborate
celebration of Lipcoln's centennial.
1t will take place in the House of
Representatives on Friday evening,
Jan. 2s. The committee has invited
as speakers Gen. j. L. Chamberlain of
Brunswick who received the sur
{ itHutI VI Lee > army IiSSloChS
Hyde of BoWdoin college, Chief
Justice Emery of the Supreme court,
President Deasey of the Maine senate
and former Attorney General Hamlin,
the son OF the vice president of the
United States when Lincoln was the
President. There will also be music
by an orchestra and it is probable
that Speaker George Fl. Weeks of the
House of Representatives will be ask
ed to preside. The intention Is 20
made the affair notable one in Al
gusta.
On Tuesday afternoon the State
Auditor submitted a tabulated State
ment showing that the estimated ex-
penditures for 1909 will be $500, 1918
20, and those for 1910 will be 81, l2e,-
321.12.
The new business put into the hop
per on Tuesday is immense.