Newspaper Page Text
MATTE LEGIST, iTUItE. Senate. Friday* Feb* 4* Met according to adjournment. Prayer bv Ki'v. Mr. Moon of Augtlsta. Kecords read unit appro**. Papers from the House disposed of in con currence. A eomimink'atioB was fecived from the Secretary of State transmiHing the report of the Commissioners of Fisheries for 1805*. On motion of Mr. liKi.n. Ordered, That the Committee on the Judi ciary he instructed to inquire into the expedi ency of amending the law relating to torc elosure of mortgages so as to lessen the time allowed for redemption. On motion of Mr. CaRviix, Ordered, That the delegation from Cum berland county inquire whether any further legislation i» necessary to regelate the salary of the Judge of I’rohate. of said county, also whether it is necessary to raise the salary ol the County Commissioners. On motion of Mr. Kot-rn. Ordered, That the Committee on State Lands and iioads he directed to ascertain what amount wilt l« required to repair the lloultou road across the Indian Township, in Washington county. On motion of Mr. Brrrnt. Oidertd. That all matteia referred to. in Heport of State Superintendent of Common Schools, be referred to Committee on educa tion. Mr. Kixosticttv from Committee on Indian Adairs, reported leave to withdraw, on peti tion of Penobscot Indians for division of rents for shorage. Mr. laxiHiT from Committee on Judiciary, reported leave to withdraw on the following petitions: Petition of T. F. Ilaelibay etuis., K. W. I’, wen et als., and A. II. Chase 11 ills., for an amendment to pauper law: of over seers of poor of tow n of Harmony, for amend ment of chap. 17 of public laws ot 18tlP: ot Wm. Alien for the abolition of the law of set tlement of the poor; of the municipal officers of town of Harmony for further legislation under tile act regulating the Municipal War Debts The resolve in lavor or the Aiatno v> esicvan Seminary came up by assignment on it' pas sage to be engrossed. On motion of Mr. ('i.avrs. the rote was taki n bv yeas and nays, resulting a* follows • Vlas—Messrs. Holster, liulfum. t'nrvill. 1’ivneb, Gray. Hanson, Holland, lame, Gang, i. iedsey. Minot. .W illey. Itolfe. Talboi,—14. Nays—.Messrs, Buck. ('arieton, ('leaves. Fuller, Gibbs, Kingsbury. Huberts, Torrey,— 8. So the resolve passed to be engrossed. /lead and assigned—An aet in addition to an aet to provide tor tbe restoration of the records of tbe Court of Frobutc in Cumber- | land; an aet to incorporate Hie llussell Steam Dam Company: an aet to prevent tile throw ing of edgings, &e., into the waters of l’leasant Kiver; an aet to incorporate the Howard j Slate Company. Passed lo It engrossed—Resolve in favor of | Louis Hcnevcit, representative of I’assama- I quoddy Indians; an act to repeal chap. 58 of j the acts uf 18.-,8, and sections ;i-'. 113 and 34 of chap. 84 of the Revised Statutes, and to amend section 31 of the same chap., relating to levy of executions against towns; Hill ail aet to amend chap. 191 of }-aws of 1888; re solve providing for the purchase and distribu tion of a supplemental Digest of the Maine Reports; liill an aet to incorporate the Slier- j man Steel Company ; rgsolve in favor of the : Maine Wesleyan Seminary. Passed to be enacted—An act to set off eet- | tain estates with the inhabitants thereon from j the Norway Village Corporation; an act to incorporate the Rocky Fond Dam Sluice Com- : j. any ; an act to amend an act of incorpora-I lion of the Cumberland Hone Company, ap- | proved Feb. 2‘Jd, 1885; an act lo incorporate i the Whitten Carriage Manufacturing Com- 1 puny; an act to prohibit the taking of pickerel in Swan I’ond in the town of Hartford ; an aet additional to an act authorizing any city or ■ town in tliis State to hire money to aid in the construction of railroads. i >n motion of Mr. Fiti si it, Adjourned, till 9 A. M. Saturday. BILLS, I-ETITIO.VS, &>■„ rilESKSTKH ASH KE FEIIKETI. By Mr. Kjkurbcry—Fetition of citizens of Greeubusli, in favor of uniformity of text books. Referred to the Committee on Edu eation. By Mr. Carletos—Remonstrance of .1. E. Moure et al»., of Thomaston, Friendship. Cushing. Rockland, and South Thumaston. against uniformity of text books. Referred . to the Committee on Education. By Mr. Lane—Fetition of Commissioner of | Cumberland County proving that the Treas-] urer of said county he authorized to pay to ' Miltimore Walts 8-75 tor services as agent ; on Martin's Foint bridge. Referred to the I Cumberland County Delegation. By Mr. Metcalf—Fetition of B. D. Metcalf et als., for incorporation as Daniariscotta Vil lage Cemetery. Referred to Committee on Mercantile Atiuirs and Insurance. House Friday, Feb. 4. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Saroe.vt of Augusta. Papers from the Senate disposed of in con currence. Resolve in favor of Joseph M. Soccabeyis ; was read twice, rules being suspended, and : passed to be engrossed. A communication was received from the j Secretary of State transmitting tin- annual report of the Commissioners of Fisheries, ; w hich was read. On motion of Mr. Davis, Ordered, That tile third annual report of the Commissioners on Fisheries laid before the members of the Legislature, be referred to the Committee on Fisheries for action, ujKin the suggestions therein contained. Mr. Mills, from the Committee on Pen sions. on petition of Nathaniel S. Greene for pension, reported leave to withdraw. Same member, from the same committee, made the same report on petition of W. \V. Quinby for State pension. Mr. Stovek, from the Committee on Fish eries, made the same report on petition of Charles’Balch et als., for authority to erect a fish weir in Bailey’s Mistake Cove. Same member, from the same committee, made the same report on the petition of \V. D. Rice et als., for amendment of an act authorizing Mary E. Batch to construct fish weirs in Moose river, in Trcseott. Mr. Green, from the Committee on Agri culture, reported leave to withdraw on peti tion lor the incorporation of the Penobscot Central Agricultural Society. Mr. Smmu, from the Committee on State Lands and State Roads, o« petition of Vera nus Chandler for deed of a lot of land, re ported leave to withdraw. Mr. Chase, from the same Committee, made the same report on petition of G. ii. Freeman for deed of a lot of land. Mr. Vose, from the Judiciary Committee, J on bill an act to amend see. 1 of chap. d'J of * the Revised Statutes, reported the same in a I new draft, aud that it ought to pass. Printed I under rules. Mr. Gannett, from the Committee on Pen- ’ sions. on order, reported bill an act to eon- i tjnue in force the provisions of chap. 170 of the laws of lSOO authorizing pensions for dis abled soldiers ami seamen. Printed under rules. Mr. Davis, from the Committee on Fish eries on petition reported hill an act to au thorize Gen. MaeJx-lIan to construct and maintain fish wiers and wharves in the tide waters of Herring Cove iu the town ol Tres colt. Read and assigned. Mr. Mi.aks, from the same Committer , on petition reported bill an act for the preserva tion of trout and other fish In Grass pond in the town of VTaldoboro.' Read and assigned. Mr. KlkJeall, from the Committee on Di vision of Towns, on petition of Wrn. 'I'. Moody for straightening tv i-.wn lines be tween Kennelmiikport and frahh find. re jsorted leave to withdraw Mr. Corsica move] t» mmmtnit to the Committee with certain instructions. This giving rise* to debate, the report with instruc tions Went to the lal>le under the rules. The following hills were presented and re ferred to the Committee on Legal lteform, and ordered to be printed: Bill an net to amend section f of the nc vised Statutes; an net additional to eliap. II of the laws of 185*; nn act to amend chap. JO of the laws of 185* : an act to amend sec ! 9 of diap. .1 of the Revised Statutes ; an net to provide for the payment of counsel assigned to persons charged with crtpital offenses. Passed to, be engrossed--An act to amend j section 1 of "chap 170 of the private and spec ! j;l| |.IW8 of ltttiO, authorizing Union School j District in Cherryficld to raise money; an act I additional to an' act to incorporate the Hnn Ipor Water Company; an act to authorize 1 .Albert F. Ames to'place a dolphin or spar buoy near the end of his wharf; an act to prevent the use of narrow rimmed wheels for the hauling of lumber in Cherryficld ; an act further defining the powers of the Ocean Insurance Company of Portland; an act to set off a part of the town of Trcscott and in corporate the same into a town by the name of Lamoine. Passed to le enacted— An act to incorporate the Oquassie Angling Association; an art ad ditional to an act authorizing any city or town in this State to raise money to aid in the •(instruction of any railroad in this State; an act for the preservation ot fish in \\ ebb s Pond in Franklin county. The House resumed the consideration of the reports of the Election Committee in the ease of Keegan vs. Dickey, under considera tion when the House adjourned yesterday. Mr. Barkkb resumed his remarks in tavor of the minority rejiort. Mr. Baker on the closing ot Mr. Barker’s remarks took the floor and advocated the ma jority report. He was speaking when the time for adjournment arrived, but gave way. ami the House adjourned. [Remarks hereaf ter.] Petitions, Riu.s, &CPresented and Re ferred. By Mr. Lewis—Petition of Ezekiel Pres cott and 7 ais., for an act to prevent the throwing of slabs or other refuse into George’s river in Montville. By Mr. Stover— Petition of E. ('. Simpson et ais., of Harp.swoll, for authority to extend their wharf into tide waters of est Ilarps well. By -Mr. Pi: WEV—Petition of James Peter son et als., sea captains, in aid ot the petition of W. II. Hentenway et als. By Mr. Sherman. of Islesboro—Petition of A. L. Frohoek et als., of Lineolnville. for leave to extend a steam boat wharf into tide waters of Penobscot Bay. By Mr. Wh.hf.h—Petition of J. W. Brown and 34 als., for aid to build a bridge across Aroostook river in the town of Washburn ; of Daniel Everett anil 8 als.. in aid of same: of Ansel Packard and 3 als., in aid of same. The foregoing were referred to the Committee on Interior waters. The following were referred to the Commit tee on State Lands and State Hoads. Bv Mr. Smith of llodgdon—Petition ot the inhabitants of Hanable. tor an appropriation to complete the road lending from that town to Limestone: of the inhabitants of Grant Isle, for aid in building a bridge in that town. By Mr. Kimkai.i.—Petition of John Kilgore et als.. of Grafton, for an appropriation for re pair of roads. By Mr. Ai.len—Petition of C. F. Daniels and 37 als.. lor the protection of trout in Al den stream in Corrinna. By Mr. Mills—Petition of Jesse Bakeinan and 333 als., of Brooksville, against the re peal of the law regulating the taking of por gies. Referred to the Committee on Fisher ies. Bv Mr. Bonnet—Bill an act to change the name of the Gardiner District Camp Meeting Association. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. Barker—Petitions of the citizens nf Exeter, Newport and Stetson, for uniform ity of text books. By Mr. Himi-iiret—Remonstrance of A. i>. Wakefield et als., of Bangor, against State iniformitj of text books. Referred to the Committee on Education. Bv Mr. Lkiohton—Remonstrance of A. II. Suriiank and <i8 als., of Yarmouth, against axing foreign insurance companies. By Mr. Mato—Remonstrance of N. II. Fenderson and 47 als., of Scarborough, in aid if same. Referred to the Committee on Mer cantile Affairs and Insurance. By Mr. Smith, of llodgdon—Petition of the inhabitants of Van Buren. for incorporation into a town under the name of Violette. Re ferred to the Committee on Incorporation of Towns. By Mr. Birh—Petition of E. C. Spaulding and 23 als., in favor of setting off a portion of Soutlt Thotnaston and annexing the same to the city of Rockland. Referred to the Com mittee on Division of Towns. paily junnebre journal. AUGUSTA, Saturday .Morning, February A, Stale of Mai ot. I> &C9LA7T- Jfc.JV * i Qrder*>l. The iL for private iejp-lauon. 'pet*von.* hn rHbr*** of wroage au igrievances" win; l be . to this Legislature utter the firs! 4a> of rebrrjary next, be referred to lfnr next Legi-..Aonr aod Lr. •-1 ; this order be published in the Daily Kennebec Jour nal until that date. Hoad and nassed; sent down for concurrence. SAMUEL W. LANE Secretary. Is House or Representative*, >. Jun.il, 1970. i Head, amended by striking nut the word ’ dr*t," and inserting in lieu thereof the word 4* twentieth,” and passed. Sent up for concurrenoe. S. J. CHADBOUKXE, Clerk. In Senate, Jan. 22,1870. The Senate receded and concurred with the House. SAMUEL IV. LANE, Secretary. A true copy. Attest; SAMUEL W. LANE, Secretary. AMERICA AND ENGLAND. The visit of the officers of the Monarch j to the Capital of the State to observe the i place where ami the manner in which the ! governmental a flairs of the State are con ducted is one interesting to them and us. 1 While we remember that England was the 1 home of our forefathers, and that the ties of consanguinity bind us to her people, we know that there is so much difference between the institutions, customs and habits of the two countries, that the visitor from the one to the other must experience much that is strange and difficult to com prehend. Long before we broke away from the apron strings of Mother England, we wore being moulded into a separate and distinct people, having ideas of our own, and tending by habits of thoughts to become the nation which we are. Pis tance from home authority and protection compelled our fathers to establish local regulations for their own government and i rely upon themselves for support and defence. Perhaps they caught something of the spirit of independence from the un trawmeled Indians, or our own grand and , freely flowing rivers, or boundless forests, Imt however it came, it was not the effect but the cause of the Revolution, and the nationality which it lias produced is such as nowhere else to lie found upon the globe. Thirty-live States have each their local Legislature, anti in making the laws nearly every man who has arrived at his majority has a voice. In order that all may vote intelligently and understand ami discharge properly the duties of citizen ship, we have the common school: few persons of native birth can be found who cannot read and write, and of the Legisla ture now in session at Augusta probably nine tenths have no education except what they received at this school of the people. We are all kings, all subjects ; no one knows who may be called to the Execu tive chair and the Legislature next year, while they who are now holding those places will return to mingle with and be undistinguished from the mass of the peo ple, except as their peculiar virtues and abilities may entitle them to public esteem. Before the law one man is no better than another. All may aspire to office but no man is born to office. The poorest and humblest may be President of the United States, and the richest and haughtiest will seek that distinction in vain because of wealth or birth. Of our last three Presi dents one was a Kentucky backwoodsman, one a tailor whom his wife taught to read, and the last a tanner. The responsibili ties of u government extending over three million square miles of territory and forty millions of inhabitants are heavy, and de mand ability to conduct them, but the prosperity and growth of our nation shows that we can depend upon the people for wise rulers and legislators and bra\ e and efficient officers by sea and land for stern er duties. This State of Maine alone is as large as Scotland and one fourth as large as all the British Isles, with a sea coast which measured by all its indentations is three thousand miles in extent. To ronduet the public affairs of such a State successfully is no 1 ijrlit concern, but our farms, work shops, anil countin'; rooms supply abundant material adequate to the task, while in Congress and the foreign diplomatic service we are represented in the highest i«>sts of honor. That our political institutions do in a considerable degree modify our social character is evi dent even to us. Those who have been accustomed t<> class distinctions will no tice it more than we. Upon the whole we would not change it and take the dis advantages of caste, and could not if we would while our present constitution ex ists. Our opinion upon that point has! been written in blood, as all the world knows. In the officers of the Monarch we rec ognize representatives of the right arm of England, that branch of the public service which, beginning in the time of Queen Elizabeth, has carried the nation forward to its present pitch of pow er and greatness. Then the navy of Eng land consisted of but thirty-three vessels, and it was recommended by the best au thority that no vessel of war be built larg er than six hundred tons. Those were the “wooden walls” and “hearts of oak,” in which England trusted, from the line of which lias sprung the iron-sided steam propeller Monarch, more than a match for the whole navy of Queen Bess combined. IIow greatly are we indebted to the brave j old navigators of England for a settlement upon this continent! Our countrymen will long hold in respect the name of Sir Wal ter Kaleigh, brave, accomplished, perse-! vering rover of the ocean ; though at last he incurred his sovereign's displeasure and lost his head, we cannot forget how much we owe to him. Think of Frobisher, who crossed the unknown ocean to our shore in a vessel of only twenty tons burthen; of Martin l’ring, who came to the coast of Maine in a vessel of fifty tons: and of Weymouth, who followed and explored our coast, and some of our river* in the State, when the country was covered with a forest. ai»u inhabited only by barbarians. T-ngs bin e dtia/iged since then, but those metj were luw tiK.ee who visit the Capital of oar of the same blood and nation, i: : .! v.u: vtMxyuii'jts or profe--ion which has : > England's glory, and planted u* upon this ovtaiaieta.. While we have rea b r. t '-otupWa of injustice in the late war. we remember or.ly to-day the hardy navigators who first explored th<-*e un known seas, the prowess of the British X'avy, the mission of peace and respect which brought the Monarch to our shore, and we join in bidding our guests a hearty welcome and wish that they may have none but pleasant recollections of our people and country during their stay within our borders. BLAIR AGAIS, Frank P. Blair, the gay and festive can didate of the democracy for Vice Presi dent, is again brought into notice by a late decision of the Supreme Court, it ap pears that he signalized his new born zeal in the democratic party last year, by de clining to take the prescribed oath in the new constitution of Missouri, whereby the person is obliged to swear that he was never in arms against the State or United States government in order to be a quali fied voter. Having refused to take the oath his vote was rejected- at the polls by the judges of elections, for which he brought a suit against them. The State Court decided that the judges did right, and now the Supreme Court of the United States has sustained the decision, and Frank is henceforth without remedy for his voluntary disfranchisement. At the annual meeting of the Warren Man ufacturing Company, held on the 2l!th ult., the following gentlemen were chosen directors for the ensuing year : Albert Johnson of Cam den; John Fogler of South Hope; M. M. Richards of Waldoboro’; VVm. O. Fuller of Rockland; Thomas P. Burgess of Warren; F. N. Crawford of Warren; A. Jl. Ilodsdon of Warren. William Maddox is President of the North Ellsworth Former’s Club, 1). F. Maddox, Sec retary, Abram Tourtelot, Treasurer. The Club meets once a week. UNIFORMITY OF TEXT BOOKS. A public meeting or hearing before the Leg islative Commiitee on Education was held in the Senate Chamber Wednesday evening, and the question of Uniformity of Text Books taken up for discussion. I herewith give you a brief outline of the proceedings, remarks of speakers, etc. Mr. Pullen of Portland asked for informa tion in regard to a bill, &e., if it had been pre pared. Mr. Johnson, State Superintendent, in answer said he would favor the remonstrants w ith an outline of a bill which would perhaps give what would be in the bill, and proceeded j to some length. Mr. Sytnonds of Portland said a state uni formity is unnecessary and impracticable. The evils may lie better remedied by town than by State uniformity. The proposed 1 change is an abrupt innovation, which will de prive tile towns of Maine of the privilege of using books of their own selection, which is an ancient and immemorial one. and they will not submit without opposition. The advocates of the measure must satisfy the people that evils exist which can only be remedied by uniformity. The burden of proof is upon the advocates of the measure and not upon the . opposers. The change is unnecessary because the | evils can be better remedied by town than by State uniformity. It is not enforced. Where is the fault ? The legislature is not to blame, for there is the law on the statutes. The laws the towns shall adopt a uniform series of | hooks which shall not lie changed within five years at a penalty of 9*>00. J tie tact mat it costs a largo amount ior books for families moving from one part of the State to another, is in fact a strong argu ment for uniformity, but the chances then are that in all cases no change of text books will be required ; if it is, the loss is trifling. It is not for the legislature to legislate for the floating population of the State to the detri ment ot the permanent residents. How is it in other States? It is not the States most forward in educational matters that have adopted uniformity. Some have adojited it and then thrown it aside. Massa chusetts lias not adopted it. Will the proposed change give us cheap text hooks, as is asserted? It will he impossi ble to obtain an even exchange from any publisher, unless lie can be assured that lie can control the market of a town or the State for five years. We have had large improve ments in text hooks caused by competition among the publishers. The aggregate cost to tile State at the outset would he very large if uniformity is decided upon. Every pupil must pay something for an exchange. lint tile controlling argument against uni formity is that it establishes a monopoly and all the arguments that apply in such cases are pertinent. Monopolies are always victorious, njul monopolies furnish the highway to cor ruption. Uniformity says to the towns and cities, You shall not choose your text books. We will choose them for you. Can such a law he en- , forced if even town uniformity cannot he en forced? In over 200 towns in Maine changes have been made in text hooks during the past year. Uniformity is not desired by the teachers of Maine. The committees in many cities and towns will he very slow to introduce hooks which the teachers disapprove. The preferen ces of teachers should he attended to. The advocates of the measure have not dared to bring the question before the State Teachers' Association for discussion. Mr. Stone of Biddeford said it is not a fact that the people of Maine demand a uniformity, for the people of York county do not ask it and do not want it. Mr. Boothby of Bath said the S. S. Com mittee and teachers of Bath have sent in a re monstrance against uniformity, and lie had been requested to give expression to their opinion. Mr. Coburn of Lewiston said the question of uniformity will not and cannot receive the approval of the people of Androscoggin county. It .* a question which needs long discussion. The interest in educational matters of the State has been wakened up during the past year. Fears this movement will result dis astrously to these interests. Division will be created among the friends of education in the State. Believes there is more need of change of methods of using hooks than of change of books. Mr. Taylor of Ifamariscotta said there is danger of asking too much. Doubtful points upon which educators disagree should not be pressed. Our schools do not need uniformi ty ; it would be injurious. The same kind of book needed in a school of 40 weeks in a year is not the one wanted in a school of 14 weeks. Mr. Wentworth of Portland agreed with the remarks made by those preceding him. The primary teachers of Portland do not ask uni. fortuity, unless it is town uniformity. Has a school of from ten to eleven hundred pupils. Found only seven pupils during six months who had to be punished with new books. The legislation of last winter was a step in the right direction. Mr. Stone of Portland said the more he in vestigated educational matters the more he is opposed to uniformity. We,have a law for town uniformity; it will answer all our pur poses.. If it cannot be carried out, make it better. The number of migratory pupils has been greatly exaggerated, and so has the ex pense of books. No store has ever yet got a free exchange of books with the publishers. Another objection is that uniformity will deprive us of improvements in school books. We need the best tools we can get to work with. It alse prevents the development of in dividuality among our teachers. We do not want sameness. We cannot legislate our schools into models. Believe in system in all things. Uniformity has not been a success where it has been adopted. California has disproved it; Maryland has overthrown it; Minnesota is cramped and galled; Wisconsin threw it overboard; New York protested against it; Nebraska is trying to make uniformity a law. It is nut indorsed by the leading educators of the country. It is not asked for by the teach ers and educators of the State. We legislate too much. Educational legis lation should bo general. A book suitable for one school may not be the best for another. Uniformity will bring our educational ques tions into contempt. Believe the common schools of Maine will be on the down grade if State uniformity is decided upon. Mr. llanson of Waterville saiil he was op posed to uniformity. We are indebted to competition among our publishing houses for the very great improvements made in our text hooks for the past years. Does not think the interest of the State de mands uniformity. Mr. Hoberts of Bangor concurred with the foregoing remarks. Has a remonstrance signed by nearly all the teachers and com mittees of Bangor. They are decidedly op posed to uniformity. Town unitormity an swers nearly all the required purposes. 1st is it practicable; second would the best se lection be made; third would that decision be acquiesced in, if State uniformity should he decided upon. The law is a dead letter in Vermont. A good work has been begun in the State but a step towards uniformity will j prove disastrous to education in Maine. Mr. Gross of Brunswick said he came to express his opinion upon this question as a teacher of Maine. Thinks we need no special legislation for the floating population of the State. In his school the pupils usually buy new books and sell their old ones. Let us enforce the law of last winter and there will he no difficulty in bringing about town uni formity. Have no multiplicity of text books in Brunswick. Thinks we shall meet with a great loss financially with uniformity. Bath has purchased her hooks during the past year cheaper than Vermont where uniformity prevails. As it now is publishers will put in new books as an even exchange for they have the promise of supplying them for five years. What we want is for our teachers to use our text hooks as a means. lint the great objection to uniformity is that it will create a monopoly in the coutracting for text books. These objections must be plain to us all. Mr. Webb of Cumberland saiJ he approved a year ago opposing State uniformity. There are other things of more prominence which need prior attention. Does not think a teach er need-to be acquainted with a multiplicity of text hooks. Favors a gradual State uni formity—would not sweep all the books away at one time. The committees of many cities and towns arc in favor of town uniformity. Some favor town, some county and some State uniformity. Q—»• Dll A i'll OF HoX. SAMUEL 11 110LT. J Our community was yesterday forenoon made sorrowful l>v the announcement of the sudden death of the lion. Samuel B. Holt, at the Cuslmoc House. Mr. Holt came from his home in Turner, on Monday, to resume his j duties as one of the clerks to the Board of Valuation Commissioners, and was then suf fering from an attack of fever. Thursday night he grew worse, and yesterday forenoon, died suddenly of congestion of the lungs, llis family was at once notified of his danger ous state, and later a messenger was sent to bring his wife, but he died before her arrival. Mr. Holt was about sixty years of age, and was much in public life, having been three years in the lower House of our Legislature, and Senator from his district in 18.VJ and 'CO. He was also a clerk to the Valuation Com mission ten years ago, and was selected by the present Board on account of his recognized faithfulness and ability in public business. In these long years of service he was ever known as a practical, hard-working and most honor able man. and it would not be easy to find a record freer from reproach than his. And not only has he tulfilled all his public trusts in the most thorough and fortunate manner, but he was a considerate and kindly-hearted gentleman in all the ways of life; and wher ever he was known he will be most tenderly remembered. lv. O EXE HAL XEWS. Jay Gould has presented ten thousand dol lars to Princeton College. Humors of the serious ill health of the rope arc again in circulation. The Emperor of Austria teaches his own children. The legal interest in Virginia is now twelve per cent. » » Prince Arthur ami suite, accompanied !>y Sir Edward Thornton, the British minister, have engaged rooms at the St. James Hotel, and are expected to arrive in Boston to-day. The Russians are actively pushing the cul ture of the tea plant in Turkestan, and the results have proved very satisfactory. The New Hampshire State Prison has re cently been improved. New work-rooms, cells, hospitals, and better accommodations for women convicts, have been provided. The chapel has also been enlarged. The Washington Chronicle makes the start ling statement that the agitation of the ques tion of removing the Capitol “has already cosj the people of Washington not less than $12, 500,000 within a year in the depreciation of real estate.” The Ohio river bridge is finished. The last span was completed Monday, after the labor of two and a half years. The bridge is one mile long, exclusive) of approaches, and eon sUt- of two spans, each three hundred and seventy, and a third, four hundred feet long. It lias also a draw in the centre. There are said to be 7,000 laborers out of employment in San Francisco. The old Parisian plan of street improvements i- pro posed to silence the clamor for bread. While a fire was burning in Somerville, Mass., recently, the hose of a fire engine was stretched across the track of the Fitchburg Railroad Company. A passing train cut the hose, and the town has entered suit against the Company for $22,000, the amount of dam age caused by the fire. The father of the “Welsh fasting girl,” who was scientifically starved to death, has been found guilty of manslaughter by a coroner's jury, and committed for trial. All of the Virginia members of Congress have now been admitted with the exception of Mr. Segar, whose case is not yet disposed of. There is no doubt as to his election, but it yet remains undecided whether Virginia is en titled to a member at large. Recent explorations in the Rocky Mountains have determined that the highest point in these mountatns yet measured is Mount Har vard, fourteen thousand two hundred and seventy feet. The climate of the mount is represented as very peculiar. The rains, which arc frequent, arc always accompanied by thunder and lightning; when dry and clear it resembles a tropical climate. There is a drouth in the southern portion of California. The cattle in Tulare and Santa Harbara Counties are dying, and new settlers are seeking other locations. Without liberal rains immense loss must result to stock and farming interests in that section. Domestic Nctos. The Alumni of Bowdoin College, resident in Calais and the neighboring towns, met in the Parlor of the Calais Houss, on Thursday evening. Jan. 27th, Dr. Charles K. Swan in the Chair. There were present, as we learn from the Advertiser, C. C. l’otter of the class 32: F. A. Pike. 33; Chas. E. Swan, 44: Geo. ^ K. Downes. 51; W. II. Tood, 63; William Carruthers, 53; Chas. II. Todd. 54; C. M. Herrin, 63; W. Trott King, 55; G. F. Gran ger, 58; W. G. Nowell, 59; C. B. Bounds, 01; C. A. Boardtnan, 06; G. W. Kelley, 00; C. P. Cunningham. 09. The following gen tlemen were invited, but were unable to be present:—Jothnm Donnell, of the class of 36: H. L-Harding, 50; Henry B. Downes, 00; George Carey, 00. A Constitution was ndppted, and the following gentlemen were then elected officers for the current year Charles C. Porter, M. D. President; Hon. F. A. Pike, and Cearles E. Swan, >1. I). Vice Presidents: Fred. II. Boardman, Fsq. Sec. and Treas.; IV. II. Todd, M. D.; C. B. Boundc Esq., and C. A. Boardman, Esq., Executive Committee ; N. Fessenden, Esq.. Odist. Wc loam from the Belfast Age that on Thursday .Tan. 27th, Atwell, son ot James Nash of Liberty, a one armed soldier, had his leg broken about four inches above the ankle joint while chopping wood alone in the woods. Ills ‘cries brought his neighbor who was at work not far from him. to his assistance, and he was ri moved after much suffering, to the house, and his leg set by Ur. Thompson, of Union. On Saturday UUtli, Mr. Nash was surprised bv the appearance of fourteen men, and seven yoke of oxen who entered his woods w ithout ceremony, and cut and hauled to his door nine cords of wood; enough us he says to last until after haying, and although the snow was falling, making work out of doors quite uncomfortable, all were in the best yf spirits as people always will be when engaged in a good action. We learn from the Rockland Free Press that at the annual meeting of the North Knox Agri cultural and Horticultural Society, the follow ing officers were chosen for the ensuing year : Natli’l Alford, Hope, President; Win. Gleason. Union, Secretary; George Creighton, War ren. Treasurer; 1>. IT. Bisbec. Warren. W. Hawes, Union. Josiuh Ilobbs, Hope, J. S. Gushec, Appleton, TV. McDowell. Washing ton, Aaron 1). Wiley, Appleton, W. 15. Rob bins, Hope, H. G. McCurdy, Washington. Vice Presidents; Silas Hawes, Union, James Creighton, Warren, Trustees. The Rockland Press is authorized to say that the story of the Bowdoinham Bank Rob ber* attempting to corrupt an officer and thu* effect their escape from prison, and being very mad becau-e ot their failure, so that the War den felt it necessary to be on his guard lest they serve him as Spencer did Mr. Tinker, is all a mistake. The Warden has no knowl edge of any such attempt, nor has he ever en tertained any fears that they or any other convict would assault him. Sherman's Steel Works on Indian Point, Bueksport, may be said to be fast approaching completion. A correspond! nt of the Belfast Age says that at a distance the work presents a very imposing appearance. The two build ings each 100x50 feet lying at right angles with each other, the tall chimney of IOC feet in height, and the w harf, at which the largest | ships may lay in perfect safety, all present a grand representation of manufacturing inter ests. The Eastport Sentinel says last Saturday night, a Mr. Elson, a photographer, was se ! verely beaten by three or four men at Pem ! broke, with whom he had been drinking, and 1 at first it was thought he had received fatal ' injuries, but it is now thought he will recover. ^ Elson, is the person who attempted the pedes trian feats near Eastport last summer, and has j recently been at Pembroke, working at his business, photography. A special despatch says the iron-clad* j Miantonomoh and Terror have been ordered I to return to Boston front Portland. The Ply mouth has been ordered to proceed to Ports mouth, where she will be overhauled and re paired. Her officers and crew will be trans ferred. The Benicia has been ordered tc Portsmouth, to coal, und tlicn will proceed or her voyage to China. This disposes of the fleet that received the Monarch, with the re mains of the late George Peabody. The Calais Advertiser says that at the ln« term of the S. J. Court, Silver and Murphy, the two men bound over for trial by Judge Downes for robbing Samuel Wood, were sen tenced to the State Prison for the term of flvt years. Geo. Foley was sent to Prison twe years, for breaking into the wheel-wright shop of Messrs. Gates & Wenworth at Mill town. _ The Argus says officer Curran on Wcdnes ! day arrested a deserter from the 5th Regiment, C. S. 11. A., named William Fitzgerald. He t had sold his clothing, gun and equipments, with the intention of becoming a private citi zen, but the government has a different view I of the matter. We learn from the Advertiser that one ol the dwelling houses on Lafayette street in I Calais, owned by Deacon Kelley, caught fire on the 28th ult., and was entirely destroyed. Loss $1,200; partly insured. No careless ness attributed to any one. — i Isaac S. Kalloch, formerly of Maine hat withdrawn from the Superintendent^ of the j Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad, i in order to devote his entire attention to thi editorship of the Lawrence Journal. The Lewiston Journal says tho voters in thi city of Auburn are notified to meet at theii several ward rooms next Monday, to deposit their “yeas” or “nays” on the question of a union of Lewiston and Auburn, The Somerset Reporter says Skowhegan, above all other things, needs a woolen factory, The burglars who recently broke into the North A'liuiis (Maes.) savings bank, and stole all the papers of the bank and §2,h’00, have effected a compromise with the directors by which they return 91,800. The papers were all burned the day after the robbery. The robbers have accordingly cleared 9100. The Ellsworth American says the veteran school- teacher, John Carter of Orland, has just finished his ninety fourth school. Mr. Carter is fifty six years of age, and has taught school for thirty four consecutive winters. The Ellsworth American thinks Mrs. Luella Gross of Orland, is prahably the oldest person in the County of Hancock if not in the state of Maine. She is IOC years old. Her maiden name was Luella Lanpher. Rev. J. II. Amies of New York, has re ceived a call to become pastor of the Bates Street Universalist Society of Lewiston. > Legislative Committee Notices. Notice. Friday, the 11th day of February iriHt., is assigned bv the Committee on Kuilrond*, Ways and Bridges for a hearing in the cane of the Georges Valley Railroad. Bv order of Committee. Feb. d, lft#. S. T. 1IINKS. Committee Notice. The Joint Special Committee of both branches of the Legislature on the subject of Tempcrauce, will hold regular meetings hereafter at the Represents ■ lives JftaU, on Tuesday evenings at 7 o’clock. All persons interested arc invited to attend. TIIOS S. LANG, | thailn.e.. C. K. WUIUDEN, t bhaiimeu. Augusta, Feb. 4, ISTu. SPECIAL NOTICE. The Joint Standing Committee on Division of Towns will meet in the ltepresentativob’ Hall on Thursday the luth of February, at 2 o’clock P. M., lor the purpose ot' considering the petition of J. S. Kicker and 5W others lor the division of We.-tbrook. SAMUEL* WASSON, ! Chairmen. Augusta, January 31. 1870. Committee on Insane Hospital. The Committee on In suite Hospital will meet on Wednesday thetXh inst , at 2 P. M ., in the Senate Chamber, to take into consideration the appropri ations necessary for finishing the additions recently made thereto. JOSHCA OKAY / J. T MAIN, Augusta, Feb. 2d. 1870. Chairmen. Com m it tee on I1n a nee. The Committee on Finance will meet at the Treasurer’s oflice. on Wednesday of each week, at Vl* o’clock A. M. THUS. K. TWITC H ELL, Chairman. Committee on Interior Haters. The Committee on Interior Waters will meet at ltoom No. 0, State House, Tuesdays aud Fridays of each week at 2 o’clockT M , until further notice. F LOR1NG TALBOT. GEO. W. HAMMOND. ' Chairmen. Committee on Railroads, Ways and Bridges. The Committee on Railroads, Ways and Bridges will meet in the Senate Chamber, Tuesday aud Thursday of each week, until further notice. T II CI>H1NG, <rtllllrm-n S. T. IIINKS, ; Chairmen. Committee on Education. The Committee on Education will meet m the of fice of State Superintendent of Schools, on Wed nesday of each week, until further notice. CHARLES BCFFCM, i Chairmen A. B FAKWELL, f cnairmen. Committee on Claims. The Committee on Claims w ill meet at Room No. 19, State House, on Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week, at 2 o’clock P. M., until further notice. PITS AM ROLFR, f Chairmell HIRAM BLI>S, Jr,. (Cnairmeu. Committee on State Lands and State Roads. The Committee ou State Lands aud State Roads w ill meet iu the Land Office, Thursday* of each w eek, at 2>« o’clock, until further notice. J O SMITti, i Chairmen. Committee on Agriculture. The Committee on Agriculture will meet in the Senate Chamber, Wednesday of each week, at half pact 2 o’clock P. M , until further notice. 7. '.KEENE, I Chairmen. Committee on Division of Towns. The Joint Standing C ommittee on Division of Towns will meet in Room No. IT. at the Capitol, on Tuesday of each week during the sessiuD, at iX o’clockV. it. L. H. W EBB. SAM I. WASSON. I Chairmen. Committee on Indian Affairs. The Committee on Indian Affairs will meet in room No. la, state House, on Wednesday of each w eek, at two o’clock T. M . until further notice. THOMAS K KINOSlH ltV. ( chairmen ALDKN BRADFORD, j Chairmen. Committee on Manufactures. The Joint Standing Committee on Manufactures will meet in room No. 18, State House, ou Wednes day of eaeh week, at 3 o’elock f. M., until further SAM’J. HANSON, ) Chairmen J. S. 1*. HAM, (Chairmen. Committee on Division of Counties. The Joint Standing Committee on Division of Counties will meet in room No. IT. at the Capitol, on Wednesday of each week, at -H o’clock I*. M., until further notice. HENRY CAKV1LA, I chairmen S. L. TOBEY, i Chairmen. Committee on the Judiciary. The Committee on the Judiciary will meet at their room in State House, on Tuesday ami Thursday of each week. at2>4 o'clock I’ M., until further uouce. S. IE LINDSEY, (Chairmen CHAS. It WIIIDDEN, Chairmen. Committee on Ileform School. The Joint Standing Committee on the Reform School will meet in the Senate Chamber, on Wed nesday of each week, at S o’clock I*. M., until fur tliernotice. JOHN B. NEAI.LKY, I Ch , DANIEL STICKNEY, i Chairmen. Committee on Fisheries. The Committee on Fisheries will meet in Room No. Id, State House, Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week, at 2 o’clock P. M„ until further notice. II. S. BARTLETT, I ( hMi™Pn L. H. STOVER. j Chairmen. Committee on Pensions. The Joint Standing Committee on Pensions will meet iu Room No. 17, at the state House, on Thurs day of each week, at 2 1*. M., until further notice. TIMOTHY FI LLER, j chjlirmeu M. F. Gannett, ( Ghairmen. Committee on Banks and flanking. The Committee on Banks and Banking will meet in Itoom No. Its, State House, on Tuesdays of each week, at 2 o’clock I*. M., until further notice. It. D. METCALF, J chairmen. JAMES DI NNING, i ^ Committee on Mercantile Affairs .j" Insurance. The Committee on Mercantile Affairs andlnsur ant e will meet in Room No 20. on '' e'lnesdav of each week, at Vi o’clock P.M., until (hither notice. t a! HOLBROOK, \ Chairmen. Committee on State Prison. The Committee on the State Prison will meet in Room No. 1». State House, on Tuesday of each as. Ilf. OWHv ilviiec , vn aiivu.i at 2* o'clock, until further notice " ' GEO. F.. MINOT HENRY E HAMMOND, Chairmen. Conmittee on Change of Names. The Committee on Change of Names will meet in Room No. 20, State House, on Tuesday of each week at 2 o’clock P. M., until further notice. AI.DEN CHASE, Chairman. Committee on Federal Relations. The Committee on Federal Relatious will meet in the Senate Chamber, on Friday of each wuek, at 2>» o’clock P. M„ until further notice. THOMAS P. CLEAVES, >ch , LEWIS BARKER, Chairmen. Committee on Legal Reform. The Committee on Legal Reform will meet in the Judiciary Com. Room, at the State House, on Wed nesday and Friday of each week, at o’clock P. M., until further notice. M D I). LANE, ' JOSEPH BAKER, i, halrme Committee on Military Affairs. The Committee on Militai-y Affairs will meet in Room No. a, State House, on Thursday ol eaoh week, at 2 o’clock P. M„ until furtlier notice. DANIKL^WHITE, i Chairmen.