Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-02-28
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE.


SENATE.--Ihe orders OF the day were taken up,
and the bill to incorporate the Pawtucket Gas
Light Co., was passed to be engrossed.
The next matter was the House Bill, to pro.
VIDE Tor the taxation of certain Real Estates be-
longing to the Commonwealth as follows Any
real estate of the Commonwealth which is not
appropriated to or designed for the public use
shall be liable to taxation in the city or town
where situated
Mr. Warren moved an amendment providing
that the provisions of the bill should apply to
Stone wharf of the Commonwealth in the city of
Charlestown, on which the business of hammer
ing stone is carried on and to no other portion of
the State property in said city. After discussion
this amendment was rejected.
HoUSE.-Mr Thompson of Boston said he
wished then to change his vote, which had been
given against the ruling of the Chair, and moved
a reconsideration of the vote of yesterday, sus-
tanning the appeal of Mr. Butler of Lowell, which
motion was laid over until Monday.
Petitions presented and referred Of several
parties against the repeal or modification of the
liquor law, and in favor thereof of John P Bige.
Glow and Others for fire department in the town
of Grafton; of several parties, that atheists may
have authority to testify.
MesSrs Colhurn OF Dedham, Greene OF Amherst
Burr OF Boston, BenchIey of Worcester, and Prince
Of Essex, were appointed Second Committee on
Towns, 10 be joined TO the Senate Committee
Mr Boyd OF Boston, moved that the House now
% minutes past l2) proceed to the orders of the
day.
A good deal Of debate arose on the question of
taking up the motion to reconsider the vote taken
the appeal Of MIR Butler of Lowell yesterday and
the question of special assignment, with which it
had collateral ASSOCIATION. The Speaker ruled that
motion, made by Mr. White OF Worcester TO take
up the subject of special assignment, in order;
whereupon Mr.. Thompson Of Boston, moved that il
be laid on the table, and that the yeas and nays be
taken on the question, and they were ordered.
The Clerk called the roll, " hen it appeared that
1856 voted to lay the table, and 127 against the
motion.
Mr. Stevenson of Boston. moved that the House
now proceed to the orders of the day.
Mr. Harding OF New Salem moved that the House
do now adjourn; and on this motion the yeas and
nays demanded by Mr. Boyd of Boston, and or.
dered; when l23 voted yea, and l99 voted nay
majority against the adjournment, l6.
The orders Of the day were then taken up the
first matter in the list being the motion of MIR Wood.
rutf of West Slockbrdge, to reconsider the vote
whereby the House passed TO a third reading the
bill concerning the manner Of voting at certain elec
tions'
Mr. Butler of Lowell, supported the r9considera.
ton. His reasons were that the technical arrange
OF the bill and amendments were defective;
that he wished the Chairman of the Judiciary Com.
mittee TO have full scope TO discuss the question in
other than a covert and incidental manner; and that
the public demanded that reasons should be given
why Of their best privileges SHOULD be taken
away. Mr. Butler defended himself against certain
personal attacks made on him during previous de-
bates, and by individuals not memde,s of the Legis.
ature.
Mr. Butler, in continuation, said he would COM
promise the matter of the Secret Ballot bill with the
majority in the House. If they would allow the law
it existed TO regulate the election for delegates to
the Constitutional Convention,Ae would not after.
wards impose any Objection to the action Of the ma
jority. As to the plurality bill, it was too late to
dream of It's being brought to operate on the choice
of delegates. Mr. B. also expressed his opinion that
the Legislature had no power to touch the act call.
ing convention, directly or indirectly, as the pas
sage of the bill to amend the Secret Ballot act would
do. The remainder of his speech was in answer to
that Of Mr. Lord of Salem, spoken yesterday.
Mr. Butler closed by moving that further consider
alton Of the subject be specially assigned for Tues
day next, at II O'Clock.
Mr. Lewis of Lanesboro, moved to amend by sub.
shutting instead Of IL.