Article Text
Penney Papers from the House were disposed of in concurrence. The order which had previously passed the Senate, directing the Committee on State prison to visit that institution, came back from the House indefinitely postponed. The Senate insisted upon its previous vote. A communication was received from the Adjutant General, in reply to the order of the Legislature for information relating to the noncommissioning of officers in the ununiformed militia. He said there were no papers in his office on the subject, but transmitted the reasons as given in his forth-coming report 1st.-The difficulty in conflict between the State and National laws- the former requires four lieutenants, the latter but two, to one company. 2d.-The necessity for four is not recognized by military officers. 3d.-Remonstrances were presented against commissioning, and a hearing in each case would involve too much expense of time and money. 4th.-The expense of issuing and recording nearly 4000 commissions. The communication was laid upon the table, on motion of Mr. Woods. Mr. Roberts, from the Committee on Mercantite Affairs and Insurance, reported a bill to incorporate the Baldwin Mutual Fire Insurance Co.; also an Act to incorporate the Portland Grain Warehouse Co.; which were severally read and assigned. On motion of Mr. Wiggin, it was ordered that the Secretary of State be requested to lay before the Legislature, whatever remonstrances and papers may be in his office relating to the non-commissioning of officers in the ununiformed militia, and all facts which may be in his possession relating to the same. Mr. Smith called up the report on Indian Affairs, and it was referred to the Committee on that subject. Act to amend the Act granting aid to the families of volunteers; and resolve in favor of certain banks, were read and, under a suspension of the rules, passed to be engrossed. Resolve authorizing a loan ($550,000) in behalf of the State, was read and assigned. Adjourned. HOUSE. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Burgess of Gardiner. Papers from the Senate were disposed of in concurrence. On motion of Mr. Stone of Jay, the use of the Hall was granted the State Teachers' Association this afternoon. On motion of Mr. Crosby of Dexter, the use of the Hall was granted the Board of Agriculture the afternoon and evening of to-morrow. On motion of Mr. Farwell of Lewiston, the use of the Hall was granted Rev. Cyril Pearl on the evening of Feb. 2. On motion of Mr. Trundy of Searsport, it was ordered that the Select Committee upon the Senate LiquorAgency report upon the expediency of amending the liquor law, so as to include ale and strong beer as intoxicating liquors. Mr. Hobson of Wiscasset introduced a bill, additional to ar Act accepting the surrender of the charter of the Mariners' Bank at Wiscasset, which was referred to the Committee on Banks and Banking. Mr. Crosby, from the Judiciary Committee, reported bill, an Act to amend Sect. 14, Chapter 12, Revised Statutes, relating to local parishes. Read twice and to-morrow assigned. Mr Kingsbury. from the Judiciary Committee, reported legislation inexpedient on an order relating to the time for closing the polls election days. On motion of Mr. Kingsbury. it was ordered that the Committee on Finance be directed to enquire into the expediency of tendering the U. S. Government such advances from the State treasury as may be requisite, from time to time, for the prompt payment of the allotments of Maine volunteers. Petition of the city of Bath for leave to loan the credit of that city to the Androscoggin Railroad Co., was referred to the Committee on Railroads, &c. Passed to be engrossed.-Resolve authorizing loan in behalf of the State; resolve in favor of certain banks in the State; resolve in relation to defenses of the North-Eastern frontier; an Act to amend the Act in aid of families of volunteers. By assignment, the House proceeded to consider the report of the Committee on retrenchment in the Land office. Mr. Crosby of Dexter moved to amend by substituting the minority for the majority report. Mr. Clay of Gardiner moved to amend the minority report, by reducing the salamies of other State officers. Mr. Chase of Turner favored Mr. Clay's amendment, but was mainly opposed to the adoption of the minority report. Crosby made a lengthy speechagainst Mr. Clay's amendment,and in favor of the substitutution of the minority report. Mr. Clay defended his amendment, and thought no invidious distinctions ought to be made, Nine of the salaries were too high, and all should be served alike. Mr. Lyman of Machias thought the Land of fice was a swindling machine. He was opposed to Mr. Clay's amendment and favored retrenchment, but desired to do it understandingly. He was in favor of the minority report. Mr. Dudley of Presque Isle favored the minority report and opposed Mr. Clay's amendment, at length. Mr. Hayden of Bath thought this Legislature was in a fair way to become remarkable for retrenchinent. He was glad to see it, but thought it would be well to do nothing hastily. He was in favor of retrenchment, but we had better be sure we are right and then go ahead. Mr. Cony of Augusta defended the action of the majority of the Committee at some length. Pending the consideration of the motion, the House adjourned. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE Wednesday- Messrs Mason Heath Wat