The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-01-27
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE
TUESDAY Inn 10

TUESDAY, Jan. 10.
SENATE. The select committee to INQUIRE
into the candidates to fill the vacancy coca
stoned by the resignation Of Hon. P. Dickinson
from Hampshire district, reported that Charles
A. Dewey, Esq, and Hon. Jos. Strong, were
candidates, and thereupon convention was
had with the House.
Mr.. Lathrop from the select committee to
whom was referred the bill to suspend the op-
Grafton OF an act providing for the use of broad
trimmed wheels, reported that the same ought
to pass.
On motion of Mr.. Burnel, the committee on
the Judiciary was instructed to inquire into the
'expediency of providing by law, that in the
necessary absence of the town clerk of any
town, from meeting of said town, the meet
ing may appoint clerk for the time being.
Mr. Hastings from the committee on Manu-
features, reported bin defining the general
powers and duties of manufacturing corpora
tions.
HOUSE. Petitions presented-of Willard
Mead of Holden, and sundry persons for change
of name.
On motion of Mr.. Howard of E., the com.
mittee on Agriculture were instructed TO in.
quire into the expediency of providing that the
damage done by raising or keeping up a pond
for the use of any water works, a lien on the
property for the use and benefit of which, such
pond is raised
The committee on Probate and Chancery
reported bill to enable aliens to hold lands in
this Commonwealth.
In CONVENTION. Agreeably to assignment
the two Houses met to fill a vacancy in the
Senate board, and Charles A. Dewey, Esq,
was chosen to fill the seat of Hon. Phlo Dick
inson, resigned.
The committee on Roads and Bridges, were
discharged from the further consideration of
the subject of repeating the act providing for
the appointment of County Commissioners
On motion of Mr.. Newton of Worcester, Or.
dered, That the memorial of Theophilus Vince
Ter be taken from the files of last year, and
committed to the committee on Chancery and
Probate.
Mr. Brooks of B. made report declaring
that it is nexpedient to legisate on the subject
of the duties of constables. Mr.. B. also made
report on the subject of extending the juris.
diction of justices in civil actions.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 90.
SENATE. The bill to suspend for two years
the operation of an act providing for the use of
broad trimmed wheels, passed to be engrossed
in concurrence.
Mr. M'Kay from the special joint committee
on so much of his Excellency's message as re-
lates to the claim of this Commonwealth on the
General Government for the Militia services
during the late war, made report.
HOUSE. On motion of Mr. Lawton of F.
Ordered, That Messrs. Bowdoin of B. Merri.
am of b., and Lawton Of F., be a committee, to
be joined by the Senate, to inquire into the ex-
pedency of revising the fee hill FIN the Sen.
ate, Messrs Barnard and Choate joined.]
On motion of Mr.. Emmons of H., Ordered,
That committee be appointed to consider the
exPediency of repeating the act providing for
the appointment of county commissioners.
Mr.. Saltonstall, from the committee on the
cd Ia cor h.
corporation of stage companies.
The resolution directing the committee on
Finance to report bill for apportioning a state
tax, was passed.
The bill to establish the Massachusetts, Rail
Road Corporations was read Cd time
Mr. Sedgwick of Stockbridge took the floor
in its support He referred to the results of
experiments, dissipating every doubt and show.
ing that tho worst hills between Boston and
Hudson could be surmounted at an elevation
not exceeding eO feet to the mile, which eleva.
tion the recent experiments with locomotive en-.
gines in England had shown to be absolutely
nothing.
He next adverted to the saving of expense in
making the road, from the peculiar facilities af.
forded for the supply of granite, over the whole
route, thus saving a vast expense for the SUD-
ply OF iron, the road TINS made being both
cheaper and batter than the most expensive
roads in use in England. Nothing, he said, had
been received with more enthusiasm than the
recent experiments near Liverpool, England.
II opened new world Ia US. It absolutely
gave US the power to turn the State inside out,
and had placed the fortune of the people in
their own hands. Besides moving with an al
most incredible rapidity, it had shewn that car.
rage might be made at an almost incredibly
cheap rate. The price of transportation here
was now 10 cents mile per ton; the expense
by the experiments near Liverpool would be
reduced to 18th OF afarthing per mile. The
same experiments had shewn that locomotive
engine would move up an inclined plane of so
feet ascent per mile, at the rate of IL miles an
hour.
He next adverted to common error that
public improvements were an evil to particular
sections of the country, and showed that though
rail road might operate for time, unfavora-
bly, to the presen' course Of industry within
small district, in the long run, it would ope-
rate favorably because it would change the
course of agriculture from less productive
to a more productive course of labor
He then remarked upon the propriety and
justice OF having all great and public improve
ments public property, and maintained it 10 be
contrary to the spirit ofthe age that they should
be under the control Of individuals Two rail
roads, at right angles to each other, across the
State, wonld accommodate every part of it, and
every citizen would then have, what he has
right to, his share in the benefit Of these great
public works.
THURSDAY, Jan. 81.
SENATE. Petition of Jonas BemIs, Rev.
dictionary soldier, for relief, was referred to
committee ON Claims.
Resolve authorizing the Treasurer to borrow
money, was passed in concurrence.
Petition of Richard Sullivan and others, for
an alteration of the laws regulating the qualfi.
cations of voters in town affairs, was referred
to committee on Judiciary.
HOUSE. The committee on Education, re-
ported on the subject Of book for the use of
schools, containing the criminal laws that j.
was inexpedient to take further order thereon
said report was accepted
On motion Of Mr.. Marston of N, Ordered,
That the committee on the Judiciary be instruct
ed to inquire into the expedency Of providing
that county attornies shall hereafter be paid