Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-03-28
The legislature About Done For.

According to present plans, the logis-
lsture is to adjourn finally on Wednes-
day. Ii had been thought possible 10
get through Saturday by rushing, but !,
was decided that a little more time had
better be taken so that work could De
looked over and the possibility OF slips
and errors reduced.
Much time has been gained by refer
ring measures TO the next legislature
This legislature got the habit in con-
nection with the psuper claims, and mas
continued il. The first of the impor'
tant measures to get this disposition was
what is generally known as 1.-THE
octopus"-the bill TO charter the Kenne,
bee Dam and Reservoir Co. This Oil
made considerable stir at the beginning
of the session, and though it has Tor a
while dropped out of the public eye ID
the Jam of the legislative work, interest,"
In il has been retained, and was intensi'
fed during the last of the session. 80
strong was the sentiment against grant
ing the rights asked for in the bill that
IL is said a canvass of the house showed
that only about one-fifth of the mem oers
would vote for il. As it was, it did not
come to a roll call, bat was referred 70
the next legislature practically without
division, though Mr.. Psttsngall, in NOV
ing this action made speech In defense
OF the bill. .
The bill establishing public utilities
commission, which at one time was
thought sure of passage, also goes 70
the next legislature.
Five mills, the same as last year, mas
been fixed as the state tax rate for the
years 1911 and 1912.
Not only have the pauper claims and
road bills been referred to the neI'
legislature, but the law which puts the
support of alien psupers on the state has
been repealed, thus throwing the support
of this class Of psupers back on the
towns. When the bill repeating this
law was before the house, Mr.. wheeler
advocated referring IL 10 the next legis-
lature as had been done with the claims
but this was defeated.
In the senate Mr.. Stesrns advocated
the payment of these pauper claims
which the house had referred TO the
next legislature, and on the vote I'VE 0,
, the Democrats voted with the Repuoli'
cans In favor Of paying these claims, out
ithey were not enough to carry it.
The office of auditor of state printing
has been abolished.
Another bill that went into the hopper
of the next legislature, although 1t had
been confidently predicted that 1t would
pass, Is that to consolidate the depart
ments Of sea and shore fisheries and In
. land fisheries and game. This was de-
clared by some of the Republicans 10 oe
simply a measure to legislste men out or
Office, and the house, by vote OF 10 to
80, referred Ii to the next legislature.
Governor Plaisted sent in his first veto
message ON Thursday, the subject being
the resolve sppropriating $1,000 an
nually for two years for the children
hospital in Portland. He considers the
amount too large in view OF the con-
ditions and the amounts granted other
institutions. II is probable that an ap-
preparation of about half the amount
will be made.
Senator Osborn Of Somerset at almost
1.-The end of the session introduced
measure which caused furry. This
was a resolve submitting an amendment
TO the constitution authorizing . special
tax on the wild lands, not to exceed one
Der cent of the valuation each year. AS
might be expected, this meets with
strenuous opposition.
The Milliken bill, providing for the
apportionment of the common schooi
fund on the basis Of school attendance,
instead of dividing 1t as now partly on
the basis of valuation and partly accord
ing to school population. went down IN
defeat Thursday, although it had strong
supporters.
Governor Plaisted on Friday address
cd joint convention of the two houses
assuring them that their difficult work
of practicing economy was being well
done.
A pleasant affair on Friday was the
presentation to Speaker Morey by the
members Of the house OF gold watch as
a token of their esteem. The presenta-
tion was made by Hersey Of Houltou,
one Of the prominent Republican men,
hsrs