Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-01-26
Notes from the LssisIatare.

Notes from the LegisIatare.
A Republican caucus held Tuesday
evening, though not fully attended
owing 10 lack of notice, disclosed the
fact that there II considerable Repuoii-
can sentiment In favor OF repeating tne
Sturgis law. A number 80 expressed
themselves. The most strenuous oppo.
nent of repeal was Senator Hastings OF
Oxford, who declared that he would
stand or fall by the law.
State Auditor Hatch reports to the
legislature deficiencies In the appro-
priations for 1907 and 1908 amounting In
all to $102, S74.61. The deficiencies are
In . number Of departments, In several
of them being due to new laws the exact
operation of which could not be estimat-
Estimated state expenditures for the
several state departments, a. made up
by tho departments and submitted
through State Auditor Hatch, made .
total Of %, 1886, 239 for the years 1909 and
1910. This is more than two millions
larger than the expenditures for 1907
and 1908.
A bill introduced by Representative
Jersey of Houlton gives the railroad
commissioners power to regulate rail-
road rates, as the Interstate Commerce
Commission has the power to regulate
rates on interstate roads. -,
The bill has appeared which would
carry into effect the recommendation OF
the game commissioners to prevent the
use OF firearms in the woods during q
very dry time.
A bill to substitute medical examiners
for c0roners has been introduced BY
Representative Davies.
Representative Sleeper of South Ber-
wick has introduced bill to make the
months OF October and November open
line IN gray and black squirrels, which
are now protected for the entire twelve
months.
Some measure to enlarge the courts of
the state is likely to receive favorable
confederation at, this term. The only
bill which has 80 far appeared looking
to that end increases the number of the
Supreme Court justices from seven to
ten, and makes some changes In the
arrangement of law terms.
Senator Hastings has introduced bill
to extend the charter Of the Rumford
Falls and Bethel Railway; also bill
authorizing the Fryeburg Horse Rail
road to extend its line from Its present
terminus to Bethel.
A bill introduced by Sentor Hastings
increases the salary of the Oxford West.
ern District Register of Deeds from $3.50
to $500.
The Bangor and Aroostook Railroad
rebate bill appeared Wednesday. 1t
provides for a rebate of 95 per cent OF
the taxes of the road for term of ten
years on condition that the road build
the proposed new line known as the
Allegash branch. The bill was intro
duced by Representative j. b. Mont.
gomery of Camden, leading Demo
cratic member of the house.
Representative William R. Pattangall
of Waterville, looked upon as likely to
''stir up the monkeys" considerable for
the Democratic side, made his debut
Thursday with bill to abolish the
Office of assistant attorney general, the
same to take effect on Jan. l, 1910.
A bill introduced by Senator Hastings
will If passed make quite change In the
enforcement of the prohibitory law. II
repeals that section of the law which
gives the court choice between fine and
jail sentence, and would make imprison
ment mandatory in all cases where it is
named in the statute.
| Legislation Is asked by either petition
or bill, closing the tributaries OF Mar
shall Pond in Oxford County to fishing
closing wholly for period and after
ward partially Stony Brook In Paris ant
Hebron, restricting the catch in Oversee
Pond In Greenwood, and restricting win
ter fishing in Lower Kezar Pond.
A bill introduced by Stanley of Porter
sets of certain lands in the town Of Den
mark and annexes them to Brownfield
A bill introduced by Mr.. Bisbee o.
Rumford fixes the compensation of th'
county commissioners of Oxford County
at $500 per annum and actual cash ex
penses incurred. At present the com
pensation is $500 without allowance fo1
expenses.
Another "bridge bill" has made III
appearance, this one having been pre-
pared by State Commissioner Of High
ways Sargent. This divides the expense
of maintenance of all bridges ten fee
or more between abutments on any main
thoroughfare, among the state, county
and town, one-third Of the expense t.
each, and provides for like division o.
the cost of construction of new bridges
in cases where the cost would make s
tax of more than four mills on the towr
valuation. The Donigan bridge bill has
also been rewritten into new draft Will
changes in similar lines.
A bill has been introduced by Senator
Hastings to ratify the organization o.
the Virginia Spring Water Co. and to su
thorize the company to issue bonds.
Mr.. Hastings has also introduced
bill to prevent the pollution of watel
supplies and their sources. The &C
gives the state board of health genera
oversight of all inland waters used fol
municipal water or ice supply; empow
ering the board to give hearings ant
providing full legal machinery for thu
enforcement of Its DEGREES. The sum o
1000 annually Is appropriated to carr!
out the provisions of the act.