The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-02-01
General Court.
SENATE.

Mc~DAY, JAN. 90.
The Bill To establish the Wilkinsonylle
Turnpike passed to be engros,ed.
TUESDAY, JAN. "a.
The Hon. Mr.. Dimmick reported a resolve
relative to the opening OF Canal across the
isthmus of Cape Cod which was passed.
Among the petitions received was one from
Pittsfeld, praying for the removal of the shire
town of Berkshire from Lenox to that place,
and for other purposes. Referred, in concur
renee, to a joint Committee.
The "bill for the relief of poor debtors ar
rested on execution for debt,'' was called up,
and read second time.
t The Hon. MIR. Mills of the Committee which
reported the bill, gave, at some length. an ex-
position OF the motives ofthe Committee in Of
fering it., and Of the attention they had given
to the subject. He alluded to the long exist
ing policy which appeared to demand that
imprisonment should he one Of the means used
in the collection of debts, and of the com.
plants made against it. The Committee, he
said, were unanimously of opinion that debt
ors ought TO be compelled to pay their debts,
where there was any property which could be
made available by the most severe scrutiny.
lie then made perspicuous detail of the
provisions of the several sections. Theprinci-
pal feature of the bill, he said, was to authorize
poor debtors to take the usual oaths required Of
them, by giving bail TO appear before the prop
er tribunal to take them, without previous con-
fnement in jail. He stated some facts which
had occurred, which he thought would Justify
the provisions ofthe bill.
Mr.. Mills then proposed two additional
sections, one to repeal all the law heretofore
made on the subject, and the other to allow
creditors to select Justices before whom the
debtors are to take the oaths. These amend
ments were adopted.
The bill was then referred to Friday next,
, IL o'clock.
The report of the Committee on the subject
of the Liability Of Stockholders IN .Mdnnfac-
turing Companies was referred to special COM
mittee, with instruction to report bill on the
subject.
The report of the Committee on Banks,
that it was not expedient to authorize Banks
to increase their issue of bills under five dol
lars, was accepted.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25.
The resolves extending the time for the sur
viving Officers and Soldiers OF Bunker Hill
battle, to receive the sum allowed them for
their attendance at the late celebration Of
that event, passed in concurrence.
Bills passed to be engossed---to establish
the Hampden and Berkshire Turnpike Corr
poration--Providing for the building a
Bridge over Connecticut river, between North
amption and s. Hadley-To discontinue
part of the Worcester Turnpike.
The following bills passed to eoacted
bill TO incorporate the Brdgewater Cot
ton Manufacturing Company--to change
the name of Chrisfopher Gillpatrick-to
incorporate the Boston Type and Stereotype
Foundry.
THURSDAY, JAN. 20.
On motion Of Hon. Mr.. Willard,
Ordered, That the Committee on Education
be instructed to consider and report upon the
expediency of authorizing the Selectmen Of
the several towns in this Commonwealth, 10
provide School Books for Children in the
Primary Schools, at the expense of their par
ents or guardians, to be assessed to them in
their tax s, in cases where they refuse or neg
lect to furnish said Books.
FRIDAY, JAN. 27.
Mr.. Mills reported the hin for g the relief Of
Poor Debiors.n &c. with number Of amend
ments, which were agreed to. Mr.. Willard