Daily Kennebec Journal

MAINE LEGISLATURE.

SENATE.

Tuesday, March 1st,

Met according to adjournment.
Prayer by the Chaplain.
Papers from the House disposed of in concurrence.
A communication was received from the Attorney General transmitting a deed of certain settlers lots in township 17, Range 7 from the commonwealth of Mass. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Wakefield, from the Committee on Interior waters on bill an act to authorize the Kennebec Log Driving Co. to erect a boom across the Kennebec river at Brown's island, reported ought to pass. Report accepted. Read and assigned.
The same Senator from the same committee on petition of Cyrus Andrews and Joseph T. Stearns for a reduction of toll on shippage of lumber as per laws of 1869, chap. 75, reported petitioners have leave to withdraw. Report accepted.
On motion of Mr. Emery, an act additional to chap. 71 of the revised statutes, concerning sales of real estate by license of court, was tabled, pending its passage to be engrossed.
On motion of Mr. Morrland an act relating to levy of execution on real estate, was tabled pending its passage to be engrossed.
On motion of Mr. Flint an act to incorporate the Skowhegan & Athens Railroad Company was taken from the table and passed to be engrossed.
On motion of Mr. Walker,
Ordered, That Nathaniel B. Buxton, Senator from Somerset county, be excused from further attendance upon the sessions of this Senate on and after March 2d, now current, and that the secretary of the Senate be ordered to make up his pay to the end of said session.
Mr. Walker said: The reasons for this request were that Mr. Buxton was largely interested in lumbering and the spring rains rendered it necessary that he should be at home. Besides the connection that the Senator had in his own town affairs and their embarrassed condition financially, absolutely required his presence at home.
Pending their passage to be enacted, resolve in favor of the county of Franklin, also resolve in favor of the town of Kingsbury were laid on the table on motion of Mr. Emery.
On motion of Mr. Lamson, an act to amend chapter 63 of the public laws of 1877, relating to loitering in public places, was taken from the table.
Mr. Lamson said: He wished simply to repeat what he did say before, but what the reporter had misquoted when he transcribed his remarks, that was, that previous to the passage of the law of 1877 relating to loiterers, the night trains in his town (Richmond,) had been infested with loafers, but since the passage of that law the stations had been free from that pest. The gist of the amendment of the Senator from Knox, (Morrland) which makes the law apply simply to those who may commit a nuisance around those stations he thought, strikes at the law of 1877, and he was decidedly opposed to its passage.
Mr. Morrland said: He offered the amendment as an amendment to the bill in general. If it is necessary to have such a law applicable to the railroads then he was in favor of extending it to steamboats also; but he was opposed to having the legislature of Maine enact a law giving the power to any one to say to another who has violated no law "go hence and return no more: if you do I'll have you arrested." He did not believe in vesting any corporation with this power. He wished to speak in behalf of those loafers who had violated no law. They have a right to be in such public places when they are doing nothing in violation of the laws of Maine. He wished to protect the boys who it might be said fell within the scope of this act. If those boys behaved themselves they had a right there and the legislature should pass no law prohibiting them from going to these public places. If it was the intention of the Legislature, however, to pass a law granting this power to the railroad companies he hoped it would be extended to the steamboats, as a friend of his in Rockland had desired the protection of such an act for a new station which he had erected in that city for steamboats.
Mr. Walker said: He hoped they would reach the bill as it stood. In 1877 a law was enacted to prevent loiterers in railroad stations. This year the legislature had been asked to amend the law of 1877 and cause the same law with its penalties to apply to steamboats as well as railroad stations. The committee had reported in favor of this amendment. The discussion should take in consideration the amendment solely, and not attack the law. He, for one, saw no valid reasons why the law should apply to the one, and not to the other.
Mr. Hill, of Penobscot said: He was in favor of extending the law to steamboat stations. He considered the law a wholesome one. The stations were built for the accommodation of the public, to be sure, but not for those loafers who might go there to pass the night. It was a detriment to the companies to have no authority to keep this class away from the stations. Further the law had been in force since 1877 and no complaint had been made to the legislature of the tyrannical use of the power by any station agent.
Mr. Dudley moved to amend the amendment by adding "smoking pipes and cigars shall be regarded a nuisance"
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. Emery said: It appeared to him that the law of 1877, which tended to relieve the railroads of that crowd of loafers that had nothing else to do but to stare one in the face, had worked so well that now the steamboat men desired to have it extended to their stations. He would favor such a project.
Mr. Pattangall said: He did not propose to attack the law of 1877, but he was opposed to having the provisions of that law extended to steamboats because he knew it was undesired on the part of most of them. Why by the provisions of this act any one is liable to be arrested either at the steamboat station or who might be on grounds adjacent. Men who were largely interested in steamboats desired him to oppose the bill and he should consider himself very derelict to his duty if he did not.
Mr. Jennings said: That it could not be expected that any law would secure the approbation of all. In some cases, indeed, this law may have been unjustly used by an employee of the railroad, yet no complaint had ever been made, and he did not believe the power had been or would be abused. He was in favor of the original law and the amendment to extend it to steamboat stations.
On motion of Mr. Morrland, the vote to adopt the amendment to the amendment of the law of 1877, was taken by yeas and nays, and resulted as follows:
YEAS.—Messrs. Dudley, Morrland, Pattangall,—3.
NAYS.—Messrs. Baker, Bisbee, Brewer, Buxton, Cornish, Dingley, Emery, Fernald, Flint, Friend, Hill of Penobscot, Hill of Hancock, Jennings, Lamson, Lord, Nutting, Parcher, Sanborn, Taber, Wakefield, Walker—21.
Mr. Pattangall then moved to indefinitely postpone the amendment to the law of 1877 which extends it to steamboat stations.
The motion was lost.
The act to amend this law was then passed to be engrossed.
The assignment for the morning hour, the majority and minority reports of the Committee on Claims, on the petition of E. F. Pillsbury & Co., for balance claimed to be due on State printing was then taken up.
Mr. Bisbee said: Prior to the year 1879 the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, had in addition to the report of that department published what was called Abstracts of the Secretary of the Maine Board of Agriculture. But March 6, 1879, the Legislature repealed the law authorizing the publication of these abstracts. At that time Sprague, Owen and Nash were the State printers, and if any one had the authority to print these abstracts did not attempt such publication, they and were willing to print only that which they were legally authorized to do. E. F. Pillsbury and Co. while they were in power got out of a job and came up here, and through the influence of the Deputy Secretary upon the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture of State at that time, Sawyer, prevailed ture to give them these abstracts to print. This work if it belonged to any one to do, was work for Sprague, Owen & Nash, but as the law had been repealed which authorized this printing of the abstracts, it was an unauthorized piece of work on their part. The council have investigated the claim of Pillsbury & Co. carefully and find that nothing in equity or in law belongs to them. (The report of the council was read by the Secretary at the request of the Senator. This report has been previously published in this paper.) Further referring to the testimony of the Investigating Committee we find that the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture testified that at the request of Deputy Secretary Sawyer, he made up these abstracts. Instead however of binding them in the usual manner, with the regular report they were bound in a separate volume, thus increasing the expense and enlarging the work. They did this work in direct opposition to the instructions of the statutes and their claims should not be granted.
Mr. Hill of Penobscot asked whether or not it had been customary for one printer to do the work that was left over by the State printers of the previous years?
Mr. Parcher said: If the work was to be done by any one it should have been done by Sprague, Owen & Nash, but a law of March 6, 1879, prohibited the printing of these abstracts by anybody. And should anyone print them they could not legally collect pay for their work.
Mr. Locke said: In answer to the senator from Penobscot (Hill) he would state as he was a member of the legislature that enacted the law of 1879, that it was the intention of that law and it is so stated that the law authorizing the printing of these agricultural abstracts should be repealed. No man of either political party had any doubts about the construction of this act. It was understood by all that there were to be no more of these abstracts, and this was occasioned by the feeling of economy which caused the legislature that year to cut down every department and to retrench on all sides the expenses of the State. And now in the face of that law if we grant the demands of the claimants for labor which they were never authorized to do, we shall simply make them a gift of that amount. They went forward in defiance of the law without any grounds whatever for their demands and it would be wrong and unjust to grant them.
The motion to substitute the minority report for the report of the majority on these claims was rejected by a unanimous vote.
The majority report of the committee refusing the claims of E. F. Pillsbury & Co. was then accepted.
The second assignment for the day was the taken up. "An act to amend sec. 19, chap. 218 of the public laws of 1877, relating to savings banks."
Mr. Bisbee, said upon inquiry he found that the best financial minds were divided as to the passage of this bill. Some desired that it should be adopted while others thought it would be an unwise measure. He himself thought that such legislation was entirely uncalled for. Further the amendment which was offered the other day did not cover the question that was then discussed, and he hoped that it would not be adopted. If it was rejected he would offer a amendment so that the extra dividend, coming from this reserve fund, would be divided pro rata among all depositors for the time they had their money invested.
Mr. Dingley said: The bill was framed for the protection of depositors of limited means, and not to benefit the capitalist. He considered it very desirable for the interest of the banks that this bill should pass, yet he himself had no personal interest in the matter.
Mr. Locke said: It was impossible at the present time to secure more than 4 per cent. interest on money and banks could not afford to pay higher rates. The financiers of Portland were all agreed as to that part of the bill which cut the dividends down to 4 per cent. per annum, and the only point on which they disagreed was on the increase of the reserve. There was some difference of opinion as to what that increase should be. Many of them however supported the increase to ten per cent. The depositors are generally poor people, who place their savings in the banks not for a time but for years. Year after year they add to this sum and so any advantage that might come from this extra dividend they will secure it. It is the capitalist who places his money in these banks for a short time, and it is nothing more than right that money should remain six months before it receives any interest.
Mr. Pattangall said: He did not think there was any need of this legislation, notwithstanding that financiers of Portland recommended it. No depositors had come and asked for this enactment. He thought that the rates of interest in the future would be higher than now, and that if the legislature were exceedingly anxious to do something for the depositors they should remove the tax on those banks.
Mr. Jennings said: The advantages of this bill were so apparent that he thought there could be no opposition to it. What was intended by it was to add to the securities so that the poor depositors might never be compelled to take seventy cents on a dollar in the future. He thought the tendency was to lower rates of interest. No country in the world was increasing in wealth so rapidly as ours and none had greater prospects. He was anxious that the bill should pass.
Mr. Pattangall, said: He was glad to hear of the cheerful views which the senator from Penobscot (Jennings) took of the future of this country, they were in such marked contrast to those which he had expressed only a few months before.
On motion of Mr. Emery the bill was laid on the table.
Read and Assigned.
An act relating to practice in the Supreme Court; an act to authorize James A. Creighton and his assigns to plant, propagate and preserve oysters in the waters of George's river and tributary streams; an act to amend the charter of the Godfrey Falls Dam Co.; an act to amend chap. 158 of the private laws of 1879 relating to the charter of the city of Calais.
Passed to be Engrossed.
Act to amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the Palmer and Machiasport Railroad Co., and the acts amendatory thereof; an act to incorporate the Twin Lead and Hecla Mining and Smelting Co. of Bluehill, Maine; an act relating to the taking of fish in Noname Pond in the city of Lewiston; an act to provide for a mode of collecting tolls and making assessments by the Mattawamkeag Log Driving Co.; an act to amend an act entitled an act additional to the charter of Hallowell academy, approved Feb. 28, 1872; an act authorizing the city of Belfast to pay its bonded indebtedness and to issue new bonds for that purpose, (as amended by the House); an act to amend chap. 83 of the public laws of 1872, relating to granting new trials; an act to amend sec. 13 of chap. 73 of the revised statutes relating to conveyances in mortgage and conveyances in trust; an act relating to levy of execution on real estate; an act amendatory to an act relating to schools in the city of Portland, approved February 10, 1875, (under a suspension of the rules); resolve in favor of committee on reform school (under suspension of rules); an act to incorporate the Jimmy Brook & Scrag Rock Company; an act to incorporate the Skowhegan & Athens Railroad Company.
Passed to be Enacted.
An act to amend chap. 613 of the private and special laws of 1852, relating to the Pleasant River Dam Co.; an act authorizing Levi W. Weston et. als. to construct and maintain a boom in the Kennebec river in Skowhegan; an act to amend sec. 62 chap. 82 of the revised statutes, relating to the powers and duties of auditors.
Finally Passed.
Resolve in favor of the town of Ft. Kent; resolve in favor of Thomas Lovely of Mapleton plantation; resolve in favor of Warren W. Rice; resolve in favor of the joint standing committee to investigate charges against Thomas B. Swan.
On motion of Mr. Emery,
Adjourned.
Petitions, Bills, &c. Presented and Referred.
[Under suspension of the rules.]
By Mr. Cornish—Bill an act to amend the charters of the Kennebec, Dead river and Moose River Log Driving Companies; also bill an act to protect the property of lumbering companies; referred to the Committee on Interior Waters.
By Mr. Dingley—Bill an act to incorporate the Auburn Bank.
HOUSE.
Tuesday, March 1.
Prayer by the chaplain.
Papers from the Senate disposed of in concurrence.
Bill an act concerning the salary of the deputy clerk of Cumberland county, indefinitely postponed by the House, came from the Senate given a passage to be engrossed. The bill was laid on the table on motion of Mr. Verrill, of Portland.
Report of the Committee on Education reporting legislation inexpedient on order relating to school committee in Fort Kent and scholars and school money in that vicinity, recommitted by the House, came from the Senate, that branch adhering to its vote accepting the report. On motion of Mr. Dickey of Fort Kent the report was laid on the table.
Mr. Bird of Rockland presented bill an act to incorporate the North Bank, which was referred to the Committee on Banks and Banking.
Mr. Pitcher of Belfast, presented bill an act to incorporate the Belfast Bank, which was referred to the Committee on Banks and Banking.
Mr. Nickerson of Linneus submitted the following:
Ordered, That from and after the seventh day of March, Samuel Waters of Patten be excused from further attendance as a member of this House, and that the clerk make up his pay for the session.
On motion of Mr. Verill of Portland the order was laid on the table.
Mr. Wentworth from the Kennebec and Cumberland county delegations, reported ought not to pass on bill an act to amend chap. 88 of the public laws of 1879, relating to fees of referees.
Mr. Hatch, from the Committee on Education, reported leave to withdraw on petition of citizens of Dexter and other towns, and also order of Jan. 14 that such change be made in the school laws, as shall make the superintending school committee of towns solely responsible for the success of schools by conferring upon said committees absolutely the power to employ teachers. Mr. Hatch said there was to be a minority report, and on his motion the report was laid on the table.
Mr. Twitchell, from the Committee on Interior Waters, on petition, reported bill an act for the navigation of Cobbosseecontee lake in the county of Kennebec; read and assigned.
Mr. Burnham, from the same Committee, reported reference to the next legislature, with order of notice, a petition of John S. Marsh for an act authorizing the erection of a dam across the Sheepscot river.
Bill an act additional to chap. 18 of the revised statutes relating to damages for land taken for highways was read, amended by the adoption of House document No. 127, and assigned for to-morrow for its third reading.
Resolve authorizing the sale of or the State's interest in timber in Township No. 8, Range 16, came up on its first reading, and was laid on the table and ordered to be printed on motion of Mr. McKusick of Calais.
Bill an act to incorporate the Boothbay Railroad Co., was amended on motion of Mr. Fisher and passed to be engrossed.
Resolve proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State so as to change the election from September to November came up on its passage to be engrossed, and on its passage the yeas and nays were taken, resulting in the affirmative, as follows:
YEAS.—Messrs. Achorn, Allen, Andrews, Averill, Bartlett, Bean, Benner, Berry, Bird, Boothby, Bragdon, Bragg, Brown, Buck, Burr, Chase, Clark, Cook, Crosby of Norridgewock, Cummings, Cushman, Dennis, Eastman, Eaton, Eldred, Estes, Fisher, Flint, Folsom, Foss, Freeman of Cherryfield, Freeman of Lincolnville, Gidden, Goss of Auburn, Goss of Bath, Hall, Harding, Hatch, Heath, Hopkins, Hutchinson of Lewiston, Jones of Brighton, Jordan, Keegan, Kendall, Kennison, King, Lang, Leavitt, Leighton, Linscott, Livermore, Loud, Mallett, Marble, McAllister, McKellar, McKusick, Nickerson of Linneus, Nickerson of Brewer, Nickels, Nutter, Parker, Parsons, Pitcher, Purinton, Rowe, Ritchie, Sprague, Strout of Portland, Strout of Cape Elizabeth, Sturdivant, Sweat, Talbot, Tarbox, Thatcher, Torrey, Trafton, True, Twitchell, Varney, Verrill, Vinal, Ware, Webb, Wentworth of Gardiner, Wheeler of Easton, Wilder, Wyman.—88.
NAYS.—Messrs. Blanchard, Burnell, Burnham, Dickey, Goodale, Goodwin of Hudson, Lord of Bangor, Maxcy, Means, Morrill, Partridge, Rowell, Shaw, Smith of New Sharon, Smith of Mt. Vernon, Waters, White,—17.
Bill an act to amend chap. 38 of the revised statutes relating to inspection and sale of agricultural productions, on its passage to be engrossed, was laid on the table on motion of Mr. Verrill, of Portland.
On motion of Mr. Goss of Auburn the House took up bill an act to amend sec. 156 chap. 225 of the public laws of 1880 relating to the militia.
Mr. Keegan of Van Buren said the bill called for an appropriation of $16,000 for the militia, and in that he understood was included $1,000 for rifle practice. He desired light upon the subject. "He understood there was a proposition to establish a bounty on bears." He was in favor of that. He believed in it. He thought $1,000 expended in that direction would be better than to devote the same sum to the matter of rifle practice.
Mr. Shaw of Lisbon, explained that the bill appropriated $16,000 for all military purposes, so much of the same as was thought necessary by the Governor to be expended under his direction. It would be seen that a limit had been fixed as to the amount to be expended, in accordance with the recommendation of the Governor. The bill had been carefully considered by the Military Committee, who had become satisfied that it was necessary to appropriate $16,000 to carry out the provisions of law already on the statute book. The gentleman from Van Buren had sought to make members believe that $1000 was asked for rifle practice. For the same purpose last year only $334 had been expended, and about a third of that was for building the State range. He spoke of the need of instruction in this matter, and quoted from the report of the Inspector to show that sixty per cent of our militia knew nothing about loading the breech loading rifles which are now used. These men had enlisted for five years, and were liable at any hour to be called out for military duties. The State owed it to them to make an appropriation sufficient to carry into effect the provisions of the law.
Mr. Talbot of East Machias said $18,000 was appropriated last year for the militia with the express understanding that for years to come only a small amount would be needed. He found that for the last year $23,700 had been expended, and now $16,000 more was asked. He desired some knowledge as to the uses to which this money was to be put before voting.
Mr. Shaw explained that the appropriation last winter was for uniforms, the first that had been appropriated for such a purpose since 1873. He said there was no particular sum appropriated for rifle practice, but it was all for proper military purposes. There might be $10,000 appropriated, and yet there would be no encampment this year unless the Commander-in-chief ordered it. He would give for general expenses, $3,000, armories $1,800, and encampment, $7,200. Inspection, &c., $2,000, rifle practice $1,000, by making the appropriation $15,000. This Mr. Hatch of Bangor, proposed to amend armories $1,800, and encampment, $7,200.
Mr. Hall, of Rockland did not think there was any nation or State in existence that did not maintain some kind of a military organization. It was an absolute necessity, not only for the purpose of repelling invasions, but for the purpose of suppressing insurrections. Maine was not so exempt from such dangers that she could afford to disband her military organization or cripple it by an insufficient supply of money, yet she was far behind other New England States in the matter. Massachusetts appropriates annually $70,000, New Hampshire, $25,000, and the little State of Rhode Island more than the bill asked for. He understood our military force to consist of 1,052 men, uniformed and equipped. And was it not necessary that they should be disciplined? Would the State refuse sufficient sum for that purpose? He thought the appropriation a very proper one, and hoped it would pass without amendment.
Mr. Keegan of Van Buren moved to amend so as to make the appropriation $8,000. The State had been in existence sixty years, and it was now told that its militia did not know how to load their rifles, although there had been thousands of dollars expended for uniforms and nice rifles. He submitted whether it was for the interest of the State to go much farther in this direction. He ridiculed the idea that a militia was necessary to suppress insurrections in the State of Maine, except those insurrections which existed only in the imagination of certain men and that were organized for certain purposes. That was the only kind of insurrection he ever heard of. He quoted from the governor's address to show that that official did not recommend an appropriation, and went on to say that he did not believe an encampment was necessary or even desirable, and that he thought $8,000 was as much as the State was prepared to give in its present financial condition. He did not wish to disband the militia for it might be useful; but he had no fears of an insurrection at home.
Mr. Talbot asked for certain information, which was given by Messrs. Heath, Hatch and Shaw.
Mr. Talbot said that the Inspector of rifle practice in his report stated that not less than $1,000 would be required to complete the state range and for proper instruction to the militia. If not much mistaken he had seen an item of the kind in the Kennebec Journal among the items to be reported by the committee, for the support of the militia. He also quoted from the report to show that sixty per cent. of the soldiers did not know how to load a rifle, and said that so far as affording protection to anybody, they would be more likely to shoot themselves than the enemy. He also quoted from the report to show that not less than thirty-seven per cent. of the men have not practiced during the year. This was because there was an indifference among them to learning this art which was said to be so necessary. He then criticised the manner in which the $334 had been expended last year, and said he believed this rifle practice and annual encampment unnecessary. If they saw fit to meet on the muster field at their own expense he had no objection; but he could see no reason why the State, in its present condition, should be called upon to pay such bills.
Mr. King of Caribou, proposed to vote for the bill as it came from the Committee. He believed in a well-drilled militia, and as to the amount to be appropriated, he had the most implicit confidence in the recommendations of the Adjutant General. It was enough for him to know that the amount in the bill was recommended by that official. He referred to the high rank which members of the Norway Infantry had taken in the late war, and said it was due to the fact that they had been disciplined and drilled from year to year. The State now has a militia enlisted for five years, composed of men who are taking pains to perfect themselves in drill and discipline, and it is no idle duty. Burdens are imposed upon them, and it is but just that the State should furnish them with the necessary means so that when called upon they might not disgrace themselves and the State. It was one consideration which they were to receive for their services.
Mr. Folsom of Oldtown advocated the amendment of $8,000. In business he had been connected with a military man, who had served as Major of the militia. The view taken by that gentleman was that this new departure in rifle practice was unnecessary, that the duties in that particular should be attended to by the regimental officers. The departure had been made to create another salaried office. $341 had been expended last year, $1,000 was asked this year and next year it would be more. He opposed any appropriation for an annual encampment. He believed $8,000 was sufficient under the financial condition of the State.
Mr. Goss of Bath, favored the bill without amendment. His mind went back to his boyhood days; to the time of the old State musters; to the time when he had been warned to appear armed and equipped, as the law directs, to do military duty; of his disregard of that summons; and he supposed he owed a fine to the State to-day. He had gone another way, and so knew but little of military affairs. It was then said that the people had become so civilized that there was no danger of war, and the money and time expended for a militia were thrown away. And so it was abandoned. But a few years after that the civil war came on. And where were our military organizations? Had they been kept up millions of dollars and thousands of lives would have been saved. He knew certain gentlemen were sensitive about appropriating money for the soldiery and had been all through; but he believed this money could be entrusted to the hands of those who went forth to battle for their country and save it, to be expended as they saw fit, to keep up our military organization.
Mr. Folsom disclaimed any sensitiveness in regard to the bill. One of his brothers had served more than three years in the war and another laid his bones in southern soil. He claimed that he had nothing to be sensitive about.
Mr. Goss disclaimed any intention of personal reflections.
Mr. Strout of Portland, said that last year he happened to be a member of the House by the grace of the Supreme Court; and it then became his duty to consider the military bill. It had come to be admitted that an organized militia is necessary, and this was conceded by the gentleman from East Machias, who had spoken against the bill, when he was willing to appropriate $8,000 for the purposes of a militia. The fusion Governor has substantially put himself on record in favor of the measure under consideration. He claimed that that official had said enough to authorize the fusion members to vote for it. The law at present establishes a military force in the State. If the efficiency of this force was not kept up it would be worse than useless. We have already uniformed them. In many instances volunteer companies have equipped themselves with arms. The bill leaves it to the discretion of the Governor to expend properly the money appropriated. Were gentleman of the opposition afraid to leave it there and allow him to look after the interests of the militia without oppressing the "poor tax payers?" He then spoke of the matter of rifle practice and of its importance. During the war there was many a battery of the enemy that was disabled and many a union life saved by that wonderful corps, the fame of whose organization went the wide world over, known as the Berdan Sharpshooters. On many a hotly contested field with death upon every side, that corps by its efficiency stemmed, if it did not turn the tide of doubtful and disastrous fight. One of the means of increasing the efficiency of our militia was this school of instruction, not only teaching the handling of the rifle but its efficiency when it is handled upon the field of battle. He paid a high compliment to the Inspector of Rifle Practice for his efficiency and untiring devotion to duty, and read a resolution adopted by the Oldtown Company, which he eulogised for their efficiency and soldierly qualities in which they tendered their thanks to Col. Farrington for his impartiality and gentlemanly bearing at the rifle practice of last summer. This resolution came from the home of the gentleman from Oldtown, and from a company in a very high and efficient state of discipline, a noble set of fellows, brave to a fault, and ready at any moment, whether it was in a domestic or foreign invasion, to give their lives, if necessary, in defence of their state and their country. The gentleman from Van Buren had complained of taxation; but that gentleman's district by the way of the mill tax, received from the state $1878 more than they paid out. So it could not be a great hardship on that district. The cities and towns represented by the various military companies had a valuation of $78,852,732, one-third of the whole valuation of the state. It was not a question which appealed to party. His own city had three companies, the Mechanic Blues, the Portland Light Infantry and the Montgomery Guards. All of these companies he declared to be an honor to the state and the pride of the city to which they belong. The first two were mainly sons of citizens many years in the country, but the latter, the Montgomery Guards he said were composed almost entirely of young Irishmen, spirited, brave fellows they were, too. And when in times past the State called for their patriotic adherence to right, the Montgomery Guards were ready to recognize the rightful authorities and step firmly in the path of soldierly duty.
He said the militia were the sons of our citizens, and that when the great civil war burst upon the country, if we at the north had been as well prepared as they at the South, much bloodshed might have been averted. He hoped the bill would pass just as it was reported.
Mr. Talbot replied to the last speaker.
Mr. Eaton of Camden, said when gentlemen spoke of preparing the people for war, $16,000 nor $500,000 bore no relation to it. But when they talked of keeping up a certain military organization which required but a few thousand dollars, that was a very different thing. It had been shown to his mind that $8,000 would accomplish the object desired and he should vote for the amendment.
The yeas and nays were then ordered and taken on the $8,000 amendment, and it was rejected, as follows:
Yeas. Messrs. Achorn, Averill, Bartlett, Bean, Benner, Boothby, Bragg, Brown, Chase, Cummings, Dennis, Eaton, Edgecomb, Eldred, Estes, Folsom, Foss, Freeman of Lincolnville, Glidden, Goodale, Goodwin of Hudson, Goodwin of Shapleigh, Harding, Jones of Brighton, Keegan, Lang, Leavitt, Leighton, Linscott, Livermore, Loud, Parsons, Rowe, Ritchie, Smith of Buxton, Staples of Dayton, Staples of Elliot, Strout of Cape Elizabeth, Sturdivant, Talbot, Tarbox, Trafton, Waters, Webb, White.—44
Nays. Messrs. Allen, Andrews, Berry, Bird, Blanchard, Bragdon, Buck, Burnell, Burnham, Burr, Clark, Cook, Crosby of Norridgewock, Cushman, Dickey, Donnell, Eastman, Emery, Fisher, Flint, Freeman of Cherryfield, Goodall, Goss of Auburn, Goss of Bath, Hall, Harris, Hatch, Heath, Herson, Hopkins, Hutchinson of Lewiston, Jordan, Kendall, Kennison, Kimball, King, Leland, Lord of Bangor, Lord of Kennebunk, Mallett, Marble, Maxcy, McKusick, Means, Morrill, Nickerson of Linneus, Nickerson of Brewer, Nickels, Nutter, Parker, Perley, Pitcher, Purinton, Rowell, Shaw, Smith of New Sharon, Smith of Mt. Vernon, Sprague, Staples of Biddeford, Strout of Portland, Sweat, Tarbox, Thatcher, Torrey, True, Twitchell, Verrill, Vinal, Ware, Wentworth of Gardiner, Wentworth of Kittery, Wheeler of Easton, Wilder, Wyman.—75.
Mr. Hatch then withdrew his amendment.
Mr. Folsom of Oldtown moved to make the appropriation $14,000, which was rejected by a vote of 44 to 65.
The bill was then passed to be engrossed.
On motion of Mr. Livermore of Bradley, the majority and minority reports of the Committee on Claims on the claim of A. J. Cameron for binding, were taken up and on motion of Mr. Freeman of Cherryfield they were again laid on the table and assigned for Thursday next, to take precedence of other matters after the expiration of the morning hour.
Mr. Livermore of Bradley submitted the following:
Ordered, That a committee of seven be appointed from this House to investigate the matter of binding and stitching for 1878 and 1879, and that they be empowered to send for persons and papers.
Mr. Wyman of Augusta, made an explanation as to the object of the order which received a passage.
On motion of Mr. Thatcher of Bangor, the report of the Committee on Fisheries on the matter of taking smelts in the Kennebec river was taken up and assigned for to-morrow.
On motion of Mr. Wyman of Augusta,
Adjourned.
READ AND ASSIGNED.
Resolve for the propagation of fish and game for the years 1881 & 1882; an act to provide in part for the expenditures of government; an act authorizing ten or more persons to construct and maintain a free bridge across the Georges river; an act to incorporate the Maine State Bar Association; an act to regulate admission to the Bar in this state.
PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED.
An act to incorporate the Boothbay Railroad Co; an act to incorporate the Junction Railway Co. of Portland; an act amendatory to chap. 247 of the public laws of 1880; an act to amend sec. 2 of chapter 48 of the R. S., concerning manufacturing, mining and quarrying corporations; an act to incorporate the Maine Shore Line Railroad Co.; an act to amend chap. 6, sec. 10 of the R. S.; an act in relation to the compensation of jailers for the support of prisoners; an act entitled an act to permit the Bridgton and Presumpscot River Railroad Co. to sell or lease its road; an act to authorize the county commissioners of York county to locate and establish a highway across Spinney's creek; an act to incorporate the West End Railroad Co.; an act to incorporate the Great Pond and Bog Dam Co.; an act to authorize the town of Anson to pay the bonds issued in aid of the Somerset Railroad Co., and create a sinking fund for the payment of the same; an act to authorize the extension of the Bucksport & Bangor railroad; an act to incorporate the Bear River Improvement Company; an act to incorporate the Mexico & Byron Railroad Co.; an act to empower the fish committees of the towns of Nobleboro' and Newcastle, to protect the alewives returning from their spawning beds in Damariscotta pond in the county of Lincoln to the Fish stream of said towns; resolve proposing an amendment to the constitution of the State of Maine relating to the holding of elections.
PASSED TO BE ENACTED,
Bill an act to amend chap. 147 of the private and special laws of 1879 relating to the taking of fish from the tributaries of Wilson's Pond in the city of Auburn; an act to protect fish in Sabbath Day Pond and its tributaries in New Gloucester; an act to protect fishing in Pleasant Pond in the town of Garland in the county of Penobscot; an act to amend sec. 2 chap. 578 of the special laws of 1868, relating to the taking of salmon in Denny river; an act to prevent the taking of fish from Great Witchie pond in the town of Standish for the term of five years; an act to amend sec. 67 chap. 4 of the revised statutes relating to punishment for bribery and corruption at elections; an act to incorporate the Kennebec Central Railroad Co.
Finally Passed.
Resolve in favor of Oak Grove Seminary.
The Peruvian Syrup has cured thousands who were suffering from Dyspepsia, Debility, Liver Complaint, Boils, Humors, Female Complaints, &c.
Pamphlets free to any address.
Seth W. Fowle & Sons, Boston.
Special Notices.
A CARD.
To all who are suffering from the errors and indiscretions of youth, nervous weakness, early decay, loss of manhood, &c., I will send a recipe that will cure you, FREE OF CHARGE. This great remedy was discovered by a missionary in South America. Send a self-addressed envelope to the Rev. Joseph T. Inman, Station D, New York City.
COAL! COAL!
Lehigh & Franklin
Deliveries Carefully Made
We Guarantee Our Coal
To be the BEST on Kennebec river, and only BEST in stock. Orders may be left at our office No. 9 Bridges' Block,
James E. Fuller, Baker & Longfellow, D. & D. F. Moore, T. Fuller & Sons and Gould & Barker.
All orders will receive prompt attention.
GIVE US A CALL.
F. SWAIN & CO.
Augusta, Feb. 17, 1881.
FLOWERS
For the House,
For a Party,
For a Wedding,
For any Occasion.
We have made arrangements with
MR. T. HORNE, at E. Rowse's
Jewelry Store,
Who will take orders, and make prices the same as ourselves.
Funeral Flowers a Specialty
M. E. HUTCHINSON & CO., FLORISTS
Portsmouth, N. H.
SMITH & HUNT
Have taken the store recently occupied by W. B. Hunt, opposite the post office, and have opened a first class
GENTS' FURNISHING STORE
-AND-
Tailoring
Establishment!
They are prepared to cut and make suits in the latest and nobbiest styles at reasonable prices.
: NEW STORE! NEW GOODS!:
Come and See.
CENTRAL
FISH
-AND-
OYSTER MARKET.
Smith, Wright & Co.,
M. S. MOULTON, Manager.
NOTICE.
THE annual meeting of the stockholders of the Hallowell Granite Company will be holden on Tuesday, the 8th day of March inst., at 3 o'clock P. M. at their office in Hallowell, Me.
First. To hear and act upon the reports of the officers for the past year.
Second. To choose five Directors for the ensuing year.
Third. To see if the stockholders will vote to make any change in the By-Laws of the Company so as to authorize the President as well as the Treasurer, to raise such sums of money as they may deem necessary to carry out the intention and object of the charter.
Fourth. The transaction of any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
By order of the Directors,
C. W. TILDEN, Secretary.
Hallowell, Me., March 1, 1881.