Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-02-26
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE.

FRIDAY, Feb. %.
Petitions, &c., presented and referred By Mr.
Earle, of Thos. Hunt and % others, for law to
regulate the measure of milk. BY Mr. Warren
of Timothy Fletcher and others of Charlestown,
asking for the enactment of law providing for
the removal of certain disqualifeations of wit
nesses.
Onmotion of 1lr. Phillips, it was ordered that
the Committee on Prisons consider the expediency
of removing the State Prison from Charlestown
to Fitchburg.
The Senate took up the orders of the day, and
accepted the report, inexpedient, &C. relative to
an order concerning copies of debates of the Con-
yention of 1920. Adjourned.
HOUsE.-Mr Woodruff, of West Stockbridge
moved reconsideration of the vote whereby the
House, yesterday, ordered the bill concerning
the manner of voting at certain elections to a
third reading, which motion was placed in the or
ders of the day for tomorrow.
Petitions presented and referred. Of Phineas
Harmon and others of Lanesboro' for the loca-
ton of the new State Prison in that town; of
sundry parties for repeal, and against the re-
peal of the liquor law; of Boston Barre, and
Gardner Railroad Co. for an extension of time
for building their road, and for an extension of
certain sections of the same: of James H. Car
ter and others to be incorporated as the Ieornin
ster Reservoir Company.
Passed to be enacted-Bills, to secure more
equal taxation; in relation to the powers and du-
ties of JaiIors aud masters of Houses of Correc
ton, the Bevely Marine Railway.
A message was received from the Governor
covering the report of DR. Hitchcock on the geolo.
gy of Massachusetts.
Mr. Usher of Medrord, submitted an order.
which Mr. Robinson of Lowell moved TO Law over
asking the Justices of the Supreme Judicial
Court to give to opinion the following questions.
to witt
Has the Legislature the constitutional power TO
alter or amend the act passed Nav 7th. 1852
(pkan 1873 \ pntiilpd tfan al. /
ing of Convention of Delegates Of the people
for the purpose of revising the Constitution, -
since said act has beeu ratified by majority of
the voters Of the Commonwealth.
Mr. Lord, after some remarks, moved that the
order be laid over.
The motion was negatived. 1871 to II2-two
thirds not having voted to sustain it.
Mr. Stevenson of Boston, at twenty minutes to
one O'Clock, moved TO take up the orders of The
day.
Mr. Butler of Lowell, called for the special as
slgnmont, VIZ: the consideration of the majority
and minority reports Of the Committee on Banks
and Banking, on the General Banking law.
The Chair ruled that when question was
specially assigned, and the day at which the as
signHent was made had passed without the sub
Ject being taken up, 1t fell through
Against this decision Mr. Butler of Lowell an
pealed. tie wished to know, when two assign
ments were moved for one day, which OF the two
ought to be taken up first, and which of the two
was to be sacrificed to the consideration Of the 9TH
er? The special assignment still stood on the Or
der list; and how did it come that, it having
dropped out last Wednesday, it was still in the
orders of the day, as prepared by the Clerk? Mr.
Butler further stated the grounds of his appeal.
insinualing that the ruling was not the legitimate
opinion of the Chair, but one suggested by, and
given through, The dictaton of Others
Messers. Lord of Salem, Lewis of Lanesboro'
and others, spoke on the question.
The debate took wide range when Mr. Lord
of Salem suggested 10 Mr. Butler to with
draw his appeal that the orders of the day
be taken up; and should the question of prece-
dence OF the assignment, or that concerning ITS
having fallen through be raised, the discussion
could be had in more general manner; and be
satisfactorily decided as precedent.
Mr. Butler of Lowell was indisposed TO with
draw his appeal. The universal opinion of the
House, ne thought, was in IFS favor, and the soon.
er II could be decided, and made sure, the better.
Leisure, Cushlng's Manual, and common sense.
with application could readily settle it right off.
Mr. WHITE Of Worcester moved that the ques-
tlon Dc taken BY yeas and nays, which were or
dered and called The vote stood;-for the 40.
peal 1888; against ii ll4--so the ruling oc the
Char was not sustained
The House then adjourned-l2l to I1s-at
O'Clock.