Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-02-04
Notes from the Legislature.

so TO speak, got into its stride. Business
has been going on all the time since the
session opened, but it is only during the
past few days that it has taken that form
which makes results plainly visible TO
the spectator.
The grist has been pouring into the
hopper, as il always does with sccelerst'
ing speed for some weeks after the open
ing. Important measures which might
have been introduced early are delayed
by inattention, and the public stenog-
rapher, who has much of the actual work
of writing of the bills to do, is kept in an
increasing gale of key-rsttling as the ses-
sion grows into weeks.
Still, the number of measures intro
duced up to this time is less than usual
for the period, and there is some justiti
cation for the "short session" predic-
tioD, which is again making its appear
snce. The short session illusion is quite
apt to be dispelled by conditions arising
after the beginning Of business.
Budget hearings have been continued
during the week, and hospitals, educs-
tionsl institutions and other interests
have presented their claims. 1t was
hoped that the budget would be ready
for presentation the first of this week,
but Ii is likely that il will be the last of
this week or perhaps even the first of
next before it will be ready. When it is
presented the preliminary work of the
session will have been completed.
The time fixed for the introduction of
private and special legislation expired
last Friday, and the limit should be ad-
haraA 30 oRrinkln hnk IN AA,hkfnl 10
that is accomplished, on account of the
peculiar conditions. Numerous institu-
tons which desire state aid, like hospi-
tails and schools, have as required by
law, presented their estimates to the
state auditor previous to the opening of
the legislature, and they were duly
issued in pamphlet form.
Since the opening of the legislature
representatives of these institutions have
appeared before the budget committee
and presented their needs and desires.
Doubtless many of them have the idea
that their duty ends there, and that the
matter is now in the hands of the legisla-
ture. But in order to get tn appropria-
tion desired, or any appropriation, it is
necessary that resolve be introduced 10
regular form. That many Of them do
not understand this is evident from the
fact that only a portion of them have
yet presented their resolves. Because of
the apparent Misunderstanding of the
matter, it is quite likely that the delin-
resolves now, even though extending the
time is in general bad practice.
Few measures of special local interest
have gone in during the past week. A
resolve providing a state pension for
Jennie Hsyford Tilley of Canton, who is
the daughter of Orlando Hsyford, 9 vete-
ran Of the civil war, and Is needy and
with two children to support, is now
before the committee on pensions.
A bill relating to the Oxford Electric
Co. has been introduced. IL authorizes
the company to discontinue the opera
tion of its street railway, with the per-
mission of the public utilities commits
sion, and to sell or otherwise dispose OF
its franchise, property and equipment
used in operating the road. The situs-
ton of the road is too well known TO
require comment. The bill was pre-
sented by Mr.. Forbes Of Paris, on re-
quest of the company.
The text of the bill is as follows:
"The Oxford Electric Company, cor
poTatiOn organized under the general
laws of the state Of Maine, 10 hereby
authorized, with the consent of the Pub
lie Utilities Commission Of the state Of
Maine, to discontinue the operation Of
its electric street railroad extending
from Pleasant Street in Norway village
TO q point opposite Hotel Andrews in
ak In Snnfh pario and 70
sell or otherwise dispose of its franchise,
property and equipment used in connec
ton with the operation Of said road"
This bill was TO have been referred to
the public utilities committee, but on
its appearance in the house on Wednes-
day, il was tabled pending reference
by Mr.. Barnes of Boulton. On Thurs |
day II was referred to the judiciary COM
mittee on motion Of Mr.. Barnes, who |
said there was a grave question of law
whether the legislature could grant the |
authority asked for.
Wednesday afternoon hearings were
held by the judiciary committee on the
two measures concerned with the much |
discussed matter Of an investigation of
the water powers of the state, and their |
ownership and development. An hour |
and half was occupied, with the hall
of representatives fairly we'll filed. OF
the two measures, one provides for q
temporary commission to investigate |
and report within two years, and the
other for a permanent commission. 10 |
favor of the general principles Of the bill |
the committee was addressed by Z. c.
Jordan of Portland, the veteran engineer,
Matthew G. Morrill, of Gray, and q num-
Der of others. Judge Gould OF Old |
Town appeared as attorney for the
Penobscot Chemical Fibre Co., favoring |
the investigation, so that the state might |
come to some settled policy, and do |
away with the existing uncertainty,
which makes capital timid. Some Of the
speakers favored having the investiga-
ton made by the public utilities com
mission rather than create q new COM
mission, and Il. p. Gardner Of Portland,
speaking as a tax payer, was particularly /
strenuous on this point. Some took /
occasion TO express themselves as not in /
favor Of state ownership. There was
some difference of opinion as to details,
but no one appeared in direct opposition
to either proposed measure.
The hearing of Thursday afternoon on
the two Grafton bills was Of short dura-
ton. A number Of interested parties
were In attendance, with II. n. Hastings
of Bethel as counsel for the town OF
Newry, and Frederick r. Dyer Of Buck
field for the Brown Co. An agreement
was reached and statement of IL fled
with the committee, aud none of the
parties were heard. 1t 10 understood
that the bill to repeal the charter of the
town of Grafton will be reported favor
ably.
A resolve providing state pension OF
sl2 per month for Jennie L. Barrows OF
Norway has been presented by Repre-
tentative Jillsoo of Oxford.
A resolve introduced on Friday ~ Mr.. z
Forbes of Paris appropristes the sum OF
1000 on condition of the town Of Paris
aisipg $500 additional, for repairing and | {
utting down Stowell Hill In the town Of
Paris, on the Hebron road.
Two anticigarette bills made their sp- q
earaacs last week, one being introduced u
y Mr. Bean of Minot and the other By
fr. Hussey Of Blaine. They prohibit Q
be manufacture, sale and use of cigar
ties. They were referred to the COM
littee on temperance, and are about the q
My business before that committee 90 o
u. 10