Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-02-22

For four days Of the past week the
afternoons we're packed full With hear
|ings before numerous committees, and
tho CORRIDOR and committee rooms were
thronged with people. Az TAR - the
presence Of strangers II Augusta b con-
cerned, this 10 right In the height OF the
season.
10 the work OF the regular sessions Of
the house and senate In the forenoon
the legislature 10 also getting into The
busy season, a. reports are coming 10
from the committees In some numbers,
and the bills which are reported are
moving along on their passage. The
first real debate of the session In the
house eame Wednesday forenoon, in
connection With what 10 known ~ the
absentee voter bill. Most OF 1t referred,
not to the main question OF the bill, but
to proposed amendment which w0uld
permit voters ''phy slcally incapacitated"
from going TO the polls to send their
votes In under certain conditions. This
amendment Was strongly defeated, but
the bill itself received an almost miami.
nous passage. Il will permit voters
who arc absent from the town 10 which
they live on election day to register
their votes under certain conditions
which are very strictly defined. How
ever, 1t can not 60 into effect until after
the constitution has been amended.
The bill 10 incorporate the West Paris
Village Corporation 10 now on Ito pas
sage without opposition.
The matter of reapportionment OF the
state for senators and representatives 10
now attracting much attention. In this
connection new and interesting propo
sitlon has appeared during the past
week. This 10, to increase the number
of the senate from thirty-one to thirty
three, give the largest county, Cumber-
land, three senators, and the other coun-
ties two each. This 10 said to have good
support, even in counties which now
have three senators. 1t will Of course
r. quire constitutional amendment.
The Barwise Sunday bill, sometimes
known ~ the Sunday base ball bill, had
q. long hearing before the judiciary com
mittee In the senate chamber Wednes.
day afternoon For days petitions for
the bill had been presented In some
numbers, and remons'rances against II
had come In o food. The attitude OF
the large crowd at the hearing, whIci.
lasted for nearly two hours, indicated
hat popular sentiment is strongly
against the bill.
Thursday was Oxford County day 10
the judiciary room, when the bill rela-
tive to the care of the court house at
Rumford, by which the county IL to pay
one-third of the upkeep. was given q
hearing. A number of the citizens OF
Rumford and neigbboring towns were
present, and . score or more Of those
who were opposed to the bill, from
Paris, Norway, Waterford, Fryeburg and
other towns. Ralph T. Parker Of Rum.
ford presented the case for the bill, and
A. j. Stearns OF Norway was In charge
of the opposition. Nearly two >henrs
was occupied with lively hearing. II
is reported that the committee will
make an undivided report that the bill
ought not to pass.
The bill for the division OF the town
of Paris IL assigned for hearing before
the committee on towns Thursday after
noon of this week. The Democrat IL
informed, though not officially, that the
bill will be withdrawn by it's proponents.