Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-04-04
The Legislature Finally Adjourns.

For Sale.
Registered Holstein Bull Calf for Sale.
The Legislature Finally Adjourns.
Although adjournment of the legisla-
ture had been predicted for an early day
in the week, so many important matters
were remaining for final action that the
session strung along day after day, aud
great amount of oratory has been turned
out on the several measures considered.
Part of the time has been devoted to
talking politics, without too close at
tention to the matter supposed to be IN
der consideration. Final ADJOURNMENT
was reached Friday night.
In general, without going closely into
details, it may be said that the session
has been characterized by the large num-
Der of important matters which have
failed of passage, either being referred
to the next legislature or indefinitely
postponed. In the early part OF the
session, a number of these measures
were considered sure of passage.
In one respect the Democratic ma
jority fully carried out its campaign
promises. Ii repealed the Sturgis law,
abolished the liquor agencies, and re-
submitted the prohibitory amendment.
Also, il in general prscticed economy
sometimes very close economy. IL
pared the appropriations for roads, hos
pitfalls and schools. Ii referred to the
next legislature quite bunch OF admit
teddy Just claims against the state, on
the ground that the present financial
condition of the state does not warrant
their payment. 1t abolished two or
three minor state Offices, including that
OF auditor of state printing. The prep
aration of specifications for printing
bids, and the auditing of the bills, will
hereafter be done in the office OF the
state auditor, and unless there Is some
one there who has fair knowledge Of
the technicalities of printing, there will
be trouble and confusion that is likely
to cost the state more than the salary Of
the abolished auditor of printing.
Governor Plaisted sent down two more
vetoes-ons Of the act allowing people
to be committed to the insane hospital
on their own application, which he said
would in effect make private hospitals Of
the already over-crowded insane hos
pitfalls of the state; the other the act
legalizing fish and game farming, which
he said would, under certain conditions,
establish private fish and game preserves
of unlimited extent, contrary to the set
tied policy Of the state as to its fish and
game. Both vetOes were sustained.
As to the tinkering of the statutes IN
various ways, it will take some time to
find out about all the changes. 1t is
but just to the legislature to say that it
has turned down a large amount Of the
proposed tinksring. The fish and game
laws have been done over by special acts
to an extent even greater than usual.
The fishing in numerous Oxford County
waters is affected, and there are 80 many
of those laws that il will probably be
necessary to wait for the publication OF
the revised laws before sportsmen can
tell where they are at.
Although the legislature had refused
to endorse the amendment to the United
States constitution authorizing an in
come tar, and had passed law provid-
ing for q state tai on incomes, at almost
the last moment this position was reced-
cd from without division, and the federal
income tax amendment was endorsed.
1t Is said that this was due quite largely
voiced by Mr.. Pattangsll.
The rate of state tax was fixed at SIX
mills for 1911, and four mills for 1912,
This division was opposed by the Re-
publicans, who were willing to have it
made five mills for each year. In caucus
they decided not to vote for the ak mill
rate as an emergency measure, and when
the measure thus failed of passage IN
the house, by lack Of two-thirds vote,
the emergency clause was taken out Of
II. and IL was passed. Thus 1t will not
take effect until the first Of July.
The rate of railroad taxation was in
creased one-half of one per cent.
The bill relating to the packing and
branding Of apples, which has been I'M
der consideration through good part OF
the session, fell through between the
houses at almost the last minute.
Two direct primaries BILLS were before
the legislature. The Davies bill, intro
duced under the initiative, and provid-
ing for direct nominations OF all state
and county officers down to members OF
the legislature, was refused passage.
This bin will now go to the people I'M
der the referendum. Another measure,
providing for direct nominations OF gov
ernor, members Of congress, and an ad-
yisory vote on United States senator's,
was passed. 1t seems to be the opinion
of the authorities in the legislature that
this will 90 into effect at once, and will
apply to the nominations IN 1912, bat
there seems to be some question as to
the exact status Of the bill under the
referendum provision OF the constitution.
Woman suffrage failed as usual,
though IL was given q complimentary
vote to the extent Of the report In its
favor being accepted by the house BY
majority vote-not by the the two thirds
vote which would have been necessary
TO pass the resolve. The senate voted
II down, and the house formally
acQuiesced.
The close time on caribou was extend
cd six years, but the bill for a four years
close time on bull moose was defeated.
October II was made legal holiday,
to be known as columbus Day." but
Longfellow Day was not made holiday.
An automobile law was passed, pro-
viding for an annual registration fee OF
five dollars and upward, according to
horse power, and the same fees for for
eigu automobiles which have been oper-
ated in the state thirty days or more.
This act increases the legal rate of speed
from fifteen and eight miles to twenty
five and ten miles, and makes numerous
other changes in the law.
There were received in both houses a
scsal Of COS bills and a02 resolves, q total
of 1850. OF these 500 acts and 226 re-
solves were passed and signed by the
governor, and 10l were referred to the
next legislature.
The appropriations for 1911 amount to
"a, 7O5 ,4l6.9S, and for 1912 to a, 061,-
639. 95, total of $S, 767, 056.SS.
John Sayward and bis twelve-year-old
son of Windha had q rough experience
Thursday afternoon, and really wonder
full escape from death. Diving across q
k.il,. -hi,h had haon HnoAa1 hv fha