Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1852-02-20
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE.


SENATE.-Petitions &c. presented and re-
ferred By Mr. Torey, of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church in Munson, for leave 10 hold real es-
tate. By Mr. Strong, Of Samuel Pomeroy and
others, IN favor of n new liquor law.
Reports Of Committees. BY Mr. Brlnley from
the Committee on the Militia, "bill concerning
the Militia" allowing military companies TO con-
sist of SO members instead OF GA az allowed at
present.
BY Mr. Knowlton from the committee on pub
lie Lands--A resolve authorizing The land agent
to sell lands in Maine TO actual settlers.
BY Mr.. Hazewell from the. Committee on the
Library---a resolve granting $1,000 in aid Of the
State Library
AT IL O'Clock, the special assignment, the bill
to prohibit the manufacture and sale of intoxica-
ting liquors, was taken up.
Mr.. Knowlton moved the following amendment:
Sec. 81. This act shall take effect from and af
Ter the fourth day of July next, unless suspended
as hereinafter provided.
Sect. %. The people shall be assembled in
their respective cities and towns, in meetings to
be legally warned, and held on the first Monday
of June fext at which meetings all legal voters
may give in their ballots, enclosed in sealed en-
veIopes, on which shall be written or printed the
question, ssShall the act entitled An Act concern.
ing the Manufacture and sale Of Intoxicating or
Spiritnous Liquors, be suspended in its operation
for one year, Or something 10 that effect; and
the answer yes or attached thereto; and the
town officers shall count and declare the votes of
the inhabitants and seal and return the same to
the Sheriff of the County or the Secretary of State,
within FIVE days after such meeting, land the Gov
ernor and Council shall open and count said bal
lots and if the answer be affirmative, this act
shall be suspended for one year from said fourth
da of nj ~ md hall
lamation at once giving the number of ballots and
number of those in the affirmative, and the mum
Der in the negative.
Sec. %. The Secretary of the Commonwealth
shall, soon as may be, after the passage of this
act, transmit to the Clerks Of the several towns
and cities copies of the same, together with suf-
ficient blank forms of returns to show the num-
Der Of votes cast in such cities and towns.
Dir Brigham Chairman Of the Committee )rose
to state the reason for the bill as reported in its
present form.
The people Of this Commonwealth, impr essed
with the belief that the use of ardent spirits is de-
trimena, that those dens of inquiry, tipping
shops and bar-rooms, are not shut up by pres ut
idws-the people in great numbers sent up a Pc
tlIon for more stringent laws.
In years gone by, such petitions have been sent
up. but for some reason other, past Legislatures
have not granted their wish, and desoIalion and
death are still poured out and spread over the
Commonwealth. The last year rs, 600 paupers
were supported by the State, at an expense of
$500, 900, II 900 of these were reduced to this
condition by ardent spirits.
Our jails received 1894 felons, 1851 sent there
on account of sins committed while under the in
huence of liquor. To our houses OF correction
10y persons were sent as common drnnkards.
Our hospitals receive a great number from the
same cause.
HousE.-Petions Of sundry parties in relation to
the Maine Liquor Law were presented and referred.
Reports presented by Mr.. Dawes on the pc
titions for an investigation into the conduct in Office
OF Abraham G. Randall, Justice of the Peace in
Worcester Co., that order Of notice be served on
said Randall, to appear and answer the charges
against hun Accepted.
An order was adopted on motion Of Mr. Earle of
Worcester, that the Joint Special Committee on tie
New Hampshire resolutions on the Compromise
measures, consider the expediency Of auhorsing the
Governor to al point or more Commissioners in
every person arrested fugitive under the lug tive
law, 20 protect his rights, and aid him in establish
ing all facts necessary procure his discharge; and
also of provd ng that all expenses incurred in estab
iShing the hits of any person so arrested be paid
from the Treasury of the Commonwealth
In the order Of the day, the first subject was the
the public printing, and there was long debate on
cant hearing before the Committee. Finally the
previous question was applied, and the resolve or
dered to third reading.