The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-02-15

as are the Courts of Sessions, as they would
be empowered TO levy on the Counties all
such expenses as they might think proper to
| incur; he considered the operation OF the bill
if adopted would be to lay ont new roads
where they were not needed.
Mr.. Davis observed that he had no ofjec-
ton to any other feature of the bill than that
providing for the appointment OF Commission
ers TO take the place Of the Courts of Sessions
in relation to the laying out Of roads.
Mr.. Shaw stated that, as the Commissioners
were to be appointed by the Governor, they
would be Of course responsible men, and that
they would always feel themselves RESPONSE
bic to public opinion for their acts whereas,
two Committees are now appointed, whose
responsibility ceases the mom0nt they have
made their reports. He said it was the inten-
ton Of the Committee i'll framing the bill TO
take from the Courts all control OF the subject
Of roads. He observed that when Committees
were appointed by the Courts, they went to
the spot pointed out by the petitioners, but
that in such cases, the proposed Commission
ers would look over the whole County, and
discharge their duty without regard to the
private interest of any one.
Mr.. Denny of l.. remarked that the bill, it
was supposed, would do away much expense
now incurred by litigation about the laying
out of roads, if the expense of them were 10
be borne by the County.
| Mr.. Parker of r. with the view Of render
ing the bill as acceptable as possible, moved
its commitment.
Mr.. Sedgw;ck of S. considered the ques-
ton was not whether this is the best bill that
can be framed, but whether the general prin-
| ciples of it are approved He remarked that
he had been informed that the work now
done on The roads cost double what it would
under new system. He considered good
roads essential, as they doubled the value Of
the property through which they passed; he
commended that Commissioners would do bet
fer for the several Counties, as regarded
roads, than the Courts, as they would be more
Immediately responsible. He objected to the
motion to re-commit
The motions to re commit and to strike out,
were withdrawn.
Mr.. Parker of r. proposed a section to au-
thorze the Commissioners to purchase at the
expense of the County any such turnpike
road, or part thereof, as might supersede the
necessity OF laying out new roads. The "a
mendment was adopted.
The bill was then committed to Messrs.
Shaw OF L. Sedgwick Of S. and Parker o! R.
/ A message wa. received from the Governor,
transmitting copies of sundry communications
OF recent date, on the subject of the Massa-
chusetts Claim.
The report Of the Committee on Elections,
concluding with the opinion of the Committee
that Joseph Downe, Jr. the recently elected
member from Fitchburg, was not entitled to
his seat, was taken up and discussed.
i FRIDAY, FEB 10.
Mr.. Davis of S. from select Committee,
reported a bill in addition to the several acts
now IN force, regulating the choice of Register
OF Deeds.
I The resolution yesterday submitted for the
appointment Of a Committee 20 inquire into
the origin OF the impeachment OF Samuel
Blagge, Esq. &c. Nas rejected.
I Committee was appointed to inquire what
additions and alterations, if any, are necessa-
~ in The act establishing the blackstone Ca
nal Company.
The report Of the joint Committee on the
petitions of New Bedford and other towns, tc
be set off from Bristol, and TO be constituted a
new County, giving leave to withdraw the
petition, was taken up and agreed to.
The report OF the Committee on Elections
that the member from Ftchburg had no rish
to his seat, was discussed but not decided
SATURDAY, FEB. II.
) Bills passed readings to establish the VIII
, kinsOnville Turnpike Corporation; in add
ton to an act directing the method of laying
out Highways.
Bills passed TO be enacted-7'o incorporate
, the Springfield Gard Manufacturing Compa
ny; to discontinue a part of the location o
the Worcester Turnpike to incorporate thu
Enfield Manufacturing Company to incor
porate certain persons by the name of the So
ciety for the promotion of Theological Edu
cation at Cambridge; providing further rem
edies for Landlords and Tenants in addition
to an act establishing The Barre Turnpike Cor
poration.
The House discussed, in Committee of III,
whole, the report of the Committee on cleo
tious in the case of the right of the nembe
from Fitchburg TO retain his seat.