The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-02-12
@assatbusetts Legislature.
M SEMaTE.

Hon. Mr.. Motif, from the Committee to whom
was referred the petition Of Darsd Cray. pray
sng compensation for services performed in the
revolutionary army from 1777 to the close Of
the war, partly as non-commissioned officer,
and afterwards as q spy, and bTevet Captain,
reported, that the Senate ought not to concur
with the Hon. House in passing the resolve for
his relief
1.-THE Hon. Dir. Mefit stated, that the Com
mttee had that morning been furnished with a
document, which proved that the petitioner
had intended to practise gross imposition on
the Legislature. Bill Vose, Esq. paymaster
Of the regiment (Vose's) to which the peti.
TONER belonged, waving seen in the papers
ne account Of his claims, examined the pay
sells of the regiment in his possession, and
found, that he had the receipt in full of this
same David Gray, to the year 1879, covering
a great part of the time for which be now
asked doable payment; and Immediately COM
muaicated the original payroll to the Com
mittee, with the signature of the petitioner
attached. The Committee, Of course, could
cometo no other conclusion, than that gross
imposition was intended, and that the pc
titioner was unworthy further consideration.
The Senate then unanimously non-concur-
red in The resolve. f0EF The papers being re-
turned TO the House of Representatives, the
vote by which they had passed the resolve,
granting s 800 for his relief, was reconsidered
unanimously
.NFsaifia Bin.
The committee on the subject of amend
ing the Militia Law, and conforming it to the
laws Of the United States, reported bill,
which was read first time. This bill pro-
vided for the repeal of the law respecting con-
ditional exempts, and for lessening the num-
Der of trainings, &c.
A discussion ensued, on an inquiry, wheth-
or the bill reported agreed with the instruc-
tion of the Senate to the committee to report
bill for the abolition of all trainings, except
ing that for the inspection and show of arms,
&c. in May annually and it was commended
and admitted, that the bill comported with
the instruction to conform the law to that of
the United States.
The merits of the bill were then discussed
by the Hon. Messrs. Davis, Dwight, Ransoul,
Tufts, Towne, Hoyt, and Strong. 1t was ad-
mitted on all sides, that some relief ought to
be offered to those who had loaded the table
with complaints of the unequal operation of
the existing laws +; and it was thought that
decreasing the number of trainings, and re-
peafing the tax on conditional exempts. who
had already done 10 years duty, would prob
ably afford the relief desired; but that the
friends of the measure had no idea Of breaking
down the militia, &c. Against the bill il was
said, that the provision for conditional ex-
empts was one of the best features of the
system and that although the trainings now
required by law might be too numerous, they
ought not to be reduced to the single Nav
Inspection.
The Hon. Mr.. Strong moved to strike out
the two principal sections of the bill, and to
substitute one, providing, that the Captains
Of companies should be required, in addition
TO the review and inspection of arms in MAY.
20 parade their companies for discipline one
day in each year, and no more. The motion
to strike out was carried 10 to II. And
the bill. as amended, passed 70 q secand road
ing
MONDAY, FEB 3s-Bill to incorporate the
Hampshire and Hampden Canal Company
passed to be enacted.
TUESDAY, FEB. 4.-The bill FROM the Hon.
House to tax sales al auction, was again dis
cussed by the Hon. Messrs. Perkins. Allen.
and Strong, of N. and the question, Shall
this bill pass to be engrossed? was taken by
Yeas and Nays, as follows Yeas 17-Nays
Is. (Serep Of the Senator's acre absent yhen
the uofe aras taken.
The Hon. Mr.. Otis, who voted in the af-
6rmative, then moved, from courtesy, that
the last vote be reconsidered; and tomorrow
(this day. at IL O'clock, was assigned for the
consideration Of the question.
resolve relating to convicts in the Prison
in Worcester, was committed to the Hon.
Messrs. Strong, of N: Walker and Davis.
The Hon Mr.. Towne, agreeably to notice
given, moved for the Reconsideration of the
vote of Friday last, by which the Senate post.
poned indefinitely the bill from the House on
The subject of Religious Freedom. After a
short discussion, the motion was regatived.
Supreme Jssdieial Judges.
A bill providing by law for three Judges of
the Supreme Judicial Court; whenever they
shall be reduced to that number by death or
resignation, was denied second reading.
State rasoa.
The proceedings of the Hon. House on the
resolves of the Senate on this subject, were
taken up. The two Houses concurred i'm the
second and third resolves; but on the first,
which provides for additional cells in the State
Prison, the Senate adhered to their vote; and
proposed committee of conference, and ap-
pointed the Hon: Messrs. Shaw, Rotch, and
Russell, on their part.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5.--fhe joint commit
tee on the subject reported, that the two
Houses can pass on all the publick business
before them, and have a recess after Saturday
next. Accepted.
The Senate refused TO give second read
ing to a bill from the House to incorpo-
rate Society for Religious Research. fThe
Committee of the Senate to whom the bill was
referred, reported, that it ought not to pass
the Chairman stating that the petitioners were