Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-02-10
Correspondents.


Il
! AUGUSTA, Me-, Feb. 5, 1915.
Ts the Editor Of TIE American:
As II aware that circumstances had pre-
vented the usual work OF the first montb
OF legislature, the members returned rues-
day with spirit that from now on there
would be action that would bring results.
The committee hearings started in at
once, and the session OF the Senate Tues.
day was the longest thus far held.
1t has seemed to many that business
has been moving slowly, but men who
have been here during past sessions, say
that conditions are now normal, when it
IL taken into consideration that two years
ago the session started on January /,
where this year it did not start till jan
nary 8. Then two weeks were wasted, as
FAR as regular business OF the legislature
was concerned, in the election OF State
officers.
1t is very evident around the state house
that no one wants to "monkey" with the
prohibition law. Even the democrats see
there is no show OF getting through any
bill that smells OF rum. The nearest to
anything in this line is bill introduced
by Rep. Fossett, Of Portland, for Iaw
granting druggists privilege to sell in
toxicating liquors. Democrats are luke
warm on any proposition that looks to the
changing Of the prohibition law. A
prominent democrat said last week: ut
has been shown that the prohibitory Law
can be enforced, and it is now high time
for the democratic party to realize this
fact and admit it.n
The printing furry subsidized when the
| attorney general advised Gov. Curtis that
his stand was untenabie, and the last rip
pie disappeared when Sen. Boynton, the
democratic leader in the upper branch,
with fitting words quickly and decentiy
inferred the remains.
1t Is agreed that the committee on APP
propriations will cut down the estimates,
especially for charitable institutions, and
the same will probably suffer again from
the executive axe.
The railroad investigation promises to
be double barreled. The Maine Central
railroad has issued . statement to the
legislature OF its condition, and asks q re-
Rep. Smith, OF Hampden, has introduced
a bill calling for an investigation OF the
railroads OF Maine. II will provide for
a special legislative commission to do the
work. The investigation will be to estsb-
lish the actual value OF the roads, ascer-
tain how much of their stock IL genuine
and how much water, learn il possible
~. has n - . a Nga,r
there has been an actual severance OF con-
nections between the Boston & Maine and
the New Haven. There will be an endea-
vor to ascertain what relations exist be-
tween Maine railroads and Wall street,
and whether they are for the good OF the
State. This gentleman has evidently
overlooked the fact that we are annually
expanding 10000 for a utilities commits
sion created for just such purposes, and
that the extra commission will cost as
much and only investigate on small line,
but it is surprising how much a democrat
is willing TO do this winter for "the dear
people,.
The grange will be on hand in the in
terests OF the small towns by taking a
hand in the educational bills. State
Master Stetson was at the state house
this week, and stated that the distribu-
ton OF the State school money would be
one OF the measures supported by the
grange. One o! the three bills, that look
ing to distribution according to enroll
,nent, is supposed to be under the care of
this body.
Another school act that reaches farther
than at first might seem, is in regard to
amending the law relative to accounting
for and expenditure OF school funds. The
effect OF this is that some cities, under the
present system OF distribution OF State
school funds, not only receive amounts
large enough to enable them to finance
their school expenses without raising any
money themselves, but actually receive an
excess which, under the present law in
effect, disappears from school funds and
becomes available for general munieiprl
charges. It is contended that at least two
Maine cities have built schoolhouses from
this fund State equalization OF funds
tends. to give relief to towns.
Hancock county was represented this
week at the hearing before the COMMITTEES
on salaries and fees on the question OF pay
for county commissioners by w. II. Sher-
man and NJ. l.. Allen. This county is
hard hit by the report Of the committee
| on ,equaIization, and q good-sized delegs-
ton IS looked for on Tuesday, when the
matter Of salary in the cases OF most OF
the O, her officers COMES up. ).
Economy in Highway Construction.
SOUTHWEST HARBoR, Feb. 2, 1915.
| To the Editor of The american: