The Republican journal., 1915-01-28
Legislative Notes.
What is Said and Done at Augusta.

What is Said and Done at Augusta.
| Jan. goth. besides multitude of small bills.
resolves and petitions, two big measures were
started on their way-the "a hour bill and
woman's suffrage. The labor bill is about the
same as has appeared at several previous ses-
sions The suffrage resolve simply provides
for the amendment of the constitution SO that
women can have the right to vote. In the sem
ate the petition of the Maine Central for a re-
duction of its taxes was introduced by Senator
Boynton. The following resolves, etc., were
presented in the House:
By Millett of Belfast-An act to incorporate
the Northport village corporation, This char
Ter may be accepted at any time within three
years after it shall become law, but not more
than two meetings to vote thereon shall be
called In any one calendar year. Ira M. Cobe, H.
). Banton. J. W. Blaisdell. Fred W. Dawes, DR..
Percy Warren, Fred S. Walls, Loren Cross, Philo
c. Blaisdell W, Frank Burnham, John Roberts,
William Cotman and Charles E. Rogers, or any
one OF them. may call all meetings of the cor
poration previous to the acceptance of the
charter and the first election of officers.
By Mullin of Lincolnville- of J. H.
Montgomery and 16 others, relating to widen
ing the Turnpike in Camden and Lincolnville:
also petition of W. S. Calderwood and ID
others, relating to same; also resolve appro-
priating $1,000 for each of the years 1915 and
1916 for widening the turnpike road in Cam
den and Lincolnville.
By Ames of Stockton Springs-Resolve ap-
propriating $4,000 for grading, draining and
surfacing section of Marsh hill, in the town
of Stockton Springs. the money to be expend-
ed under the direction Of the State Highway
commission.
Resolves introduced by Lawrence of Fair
field call for total of $4,000 for the Central
Maine Assn. for the Relief and Control of Tu-
berculosis, to be expended at the sanatorum
in Fairfield during the next two years. Of
this $4,000 is asked for running expenses,
$4,000 to pay off the debts and 5000 for
other purposes of which $4,000 shall be ex-
pended for improvements.
Pierce of Houlton has introduced a bill to
make legal the things which by long and well
recognized custom have become allowable on
tHe Loru 3 udy. II proVlueS lor tne legal sale
of food and some other things, including news
papers, and an unique provision of the bill
would allow municipal officers to grant per-
mits for amusements they deem proper for
Sunday, but only after o'clock in the after
noon.
January 21st large number of measures
were intr oduc ed in the senate and house. but
only few of them are of Statewide interest.
A bill for the registration of nurses was start
ed in the house and is said to have very strong
backing. Two bill were introduced in the
house and one in the senate to exempt neat
stock from taxation under certain conditions.
An act to change the apportionment of the
State school funds from basis of valuation
and attendance combined as at present, to a
basis of attendance alone is in the list. 1t is
understood that the State Grange is behind
this measure and that the fight that has been
fought several times already will be fought
once more.
| One of the most important measures to be
started is one providing for State sanatorium
for tubercular patients. This move was start
ed at the last session, but the bill was killed
on the ground that there was not money
enough to inaugurate such a plan. The bill
calls for an appropriation of 100000 to be ex-
pended for buildings and equipment during
the next two years. Persons who are unable
to pay the fixed charge of $3.50 week, would
be admitted free upon recommendation of
the municipal officers of their town,
January 22d most of the new measures in
senate and house call for the appropriation of
money, mainly for roads and bridges. One re-
solve provides for the celebration of the Tooth
anniversary of the State of Maine and the
300th anniversary of the landing of the Pill
grims. The sum of $4,000 is asked to allow
the public utilities commission to continue the
geological survey in cooperation with the fed
eral government. This work was formerly
done by the water storage commission. which
was abos he'd by the utilities commission law.
Resolves from the committee on salaries and
fees were received fixing the salaries for reg
listers of deeds and sheriffs in the various
counties in the State. The salaries of Waldo
county officials fixed as follUws: Register of
deeds, 81 900; sheriff, 81 ZOO.
By Mr.. Mullin of Lncolnville- Petition of |.
0. Eugley and 16 others, relating to licensing
nonresident fishermen; also petition of W. P.
McCobb and IL Others relating to same; also
petition Of A. F. Beverage and 33 others, re-
lating to same; also petition of H. S. Baker
and others, relating to same.
Tuesday sessions of both branches of the
Legislature were very short, and the only
important business was the introduction of
bills. In the upper branch Senator Clark of
York offered an amendment to the bill limit
ing private and special legislation to Feb. 10,
whereby all bills put in after that date will be
indefi ,ltey postponed. instead of being refer
red to the next legislative as is proposed in
the house measure. 1t is also proposed that
the time be extended to Feb. II, as it is argued
the legislature is week behind the usual pro-
gram owing to the deadlock at the opening OF
the session. The amendment was tabled by
Sen. Flaherty of Cumberland