The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-04-25
gUorrestfr:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25. 1927
GENERAL COURT.

IL is probable that more subjects of impor-
lance will be brought before the next General
court, TOR decision, than have been acted upon
by any Legislature of this State for MANY
years. 1t is ascertained that there will be sew
eh vacancies to fill in the State Senate. There
WIN % one or two Senators to be elected to
Congress This alone, at the present time. is
consideration of deep Importance. affecting
not only the welfare of this State. but the
peace and prosperity of the whole Union. On
this subject we need not enlarge. Those, who
have watched the course of events for the last
year, need nothing more to impress them with
the peculiar necessity of having. an. able, inde.
pendent and firm delegation in the Senate OF
the United States.
For two three years past no State tar
has been assessed, in consequence of a disa-
greement between the two houses resnectinr
the pay Of members of the House of Represen-
tatives, the Senate requiring that the towns.
which were represented, should refund the paw
OF their members, which is always in the first
instance drawn from the treasury 1t is time
this question was decided one way or the other.
the disposable funds of the State are exhaust
ed, and it is necessary, for the ordinary purpos-
es of government, that tax should be assessed
and raised.
The repeal, or revision of the Road Lac.
will, probably, be strongly urged on the next
Legislature. The abuses under it in some of
the counties, and the preiudices against inno-
walton on old systems in all of them, has raised
such an opposition to it, that it is doubtful what
Will be its fate We should hope, however,
that the system might not be abandoned, en-
tirely, till its efficacy has been more thorough
ly tested. Some notifications might Doubt
less, be advantageously adopted. If the ex-
pehse of making new roads should be divided,
and borne, partly by the towns through which
they pass, and partly by the county, it would
| relieve towns of portion of the burthen which
was great objection to the old system, and, at
the same time, leave them sufficiently interest
ed to appear and oppose any injudicious pro-
ject for roads, which would subject them to
expense, without an adequate advantage to the
public. 1t is one of the strongest objections to,
the present law, that, where those, through
whose lands contemplated road is to pass, are
not opposed to it, there is no opposing into
rest; that, consequently only the most favor
able side of the case is presented to the Com
missioners, so that there is great danger of the
county's being taxed for roads which will be Of
little public utility.
The subject of internal improvements still
remains to be disposed of As affecting the in.
terests of this county alone, abstractly consid-
cred, it probably is of no very great conse-
quence which way it is decided. But as it af-
fects the State, as a whole, and even us, as a
part, having an interest in the welfare, the
character and resources of the whole, it is of
deep and vital Importance. II is a subject re.
curing the exercise of wisdom and prudence.
not hastily and imprudently to be engaged in,
but, when once undertaken, to be pursued with
energy and firmness till its effects on the pros.
Perity of the State are practically tested.
Among the subjects of local excitement, are
the Hampshire and Hampton Canal bill, the bill,
tor the improvement of Connecticut River, Ind
ii IS possible that the free bridge bill may be
again brought forward. If it should, and the
petitioners will point out just and equitable
mode to indemnify those whose property will
DO destroyed by it, then let the charter be
granted Otherwise, it should be withheld for
even the relief of so great population from
the burthen of tolls, to which they are now
subjected in their intercourse with Boston, is
no sufficient cause for wrestling the property Of
individuals from them, without an equivalent,
especially when held under the plighted faith
of the State.