Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-02-23
Notes from the Legislature.

The committee on education has voted
in favor of the establishment of normal
school at Machias, also for the building
of a dormitory for the school at Castine.
Senator Staples has introduced bill
providing for the election of the assistant
attorney general by the legislature, in
stead of by appointment by the attorney
general as at present.
Committee hearings were very largely
suspended on Tuesday for the great
social event of the season, the governors
reception. In the afternoon Governor
Fernald received at the state house, and
in the evening the governors ball was
held at the Augusta city hall. Both
were brilliant events, and were attended
by people from all over the state, not
withstanding the storm that ragged all
that day.
An important measure introduced on
Tuesday by Representative Bisbee is an
act authorizing the construction OF a
railroad from the terminus OF the Maine
Central's Rangeley division at OquosSoc,
northward thirty miles to the state
boundary. This would practically carry
the "Rumford Falls road" to connec-
ton with the Quebec Central, and make
a line from Portland to Quebec about
thirty miles shorter than any now exist
ing. The incorporstors named are
Maine Central directors.
There will be no state board of chart
ties and corrections. The measure was
killed in the senate Wednesday, after a
lengthy debate.
The committee on public buildings re-
ports that the resolve for the enlarge
ment of the state house, carrying an APP
preparation of 1850, 900, ought to pass.
The bill to license resident hunters
was introduced last week. 1t provides
a license fee of one dollar for hunting
any kind of wild animals or birds.
Many speakers appeared Wednesday
at a crowded hearing to advocate woman
suffrage, but there were no remonstrants.
Nevertheless, no better fate than usual
is anticipated for the measure.
State Treasurer Pascal P. Gilmore was
reelected on Tuesday for second term
Of two years.
A new departure in legislative hearings
was made last week when at the hearing
on the bill to create new storage basin
on the Magalloway River, Assistant
Attorney General Barnes appeared be-
fore the committee in behalf of the state,
TO ask that certain provisions might be
Incorporated in the bill. These pro-
visions were such as have been prepar-
cd, in accordance with the suggestions
of Governor Fernald, to protect fully the
rights of the state in its water power.
The sponsors of the bill objected to the
nj
able but as needless, and the hearing
was finally continued till later dat
that the sponsors of the bill and the at.
torney generals office might have an
opportunity to confer and see il they
could not so word the bill that it would
be acceptable to all.
The past week might almost be called
rum week at the legislature, from the
number of hearings on measures con-
nected with the prohibitory law. One
was on the resubmission resolve, which
was advocated by Senator Staples, a
Democrat, who introduced it, and by
former County Attorney Leigh Of Ken
. nebec County, a Republican. It seems
to be the general opinion that resub-
mission has no show at this session. A
hearing on the Eaton resolve, which is
one of the measures designed to take the
place Of the Sturgis law, brought out
strong opposition on the part of well
known temperance workers to the repeal
of the Sturgis law. A hearing on the
"Hastings BILL" repeating that part of
the statutes which gives choice between
fine and Jail sentence, thus making Jail
sentences obligatory in liquor cases, was
hA ctr " "A
yocated by Senator Hastings of Oxford,
who introduced it, and also met some
strong opposition.