Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-03-05
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURES.

"WEDNESDAY, March 4,
SENATE,-On motion OF Mr. Green of Frank
lin, ordered that committee of two on the
part of the Senate with such as the House
may join, be appointed to examine into the
condition of the funds of the Commonwealth,
the mode of their inves tment. and the nature
and value of the securities. Messrs Green OF
franklin and Harris OF Plymouth were named
on the part OF the Senate
Mr.. Breckenridge of Hampshire, from Com
mittee on Treasury, reported bill TO repeal
the act of 1850 Whereby the American Patri-
o. was made an official organ of the Common
wealth. Passed to second reading.
On motion of Mr.. Breckenridge, of Hamp-
shire, ordered, that the Committee on Re-
trenchment and Reform be instructed to in
qulre into what monies have been paid out Of
the State Treasury during the last fiscal year
to the Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, and Ad-
juatnt General, independent Of their salaries,
and for what services rendered.
The bill extending the time for the con.
struchon of the Agricultural Railroad passed
to third reading.
The resolves providing for amendments to
the Constitution, relative to the qualification
OF voters and to the right of suffrage, passed
to second reading.
The bill to Incorporate the Fall River and
Warren Railroad Company. and the bill to es-
tabhsh the city of Chelsea, passed to be en-
crossed.
Adjourned.
DEMONSTRATIONS Presented and Referred
Of William ClaAin and others, for new bank
in Boston. one million dollars capital; of sun
dry parties, for an amendment to the Constr
tuition, limiting the sessions of the Legisla-
ture to 100 days; of sundry parties, in aid of
the free State settlers OF Kanzas.
Orders Of the Day.-The bill in relation to
the power of County Commissioners in LAYING
out ways across railroads was recommitted.
The bill Tor the equalization of taxes was
taken up. A lengthy discussion ensuing, the
new draft, with the addition of an amend
ment requiring persons applying for an ab6te-
ment Of taxes to make oath TO tie amount of
their estate liable to taxation, and deprivine
such persons of an appeal from the judgment
OF the Assessors, " as passed. to be engrossed.
The report Gnexpedient to legislator of the
Committee on the Judiciary, oil the order of
the 10th ult.. relative to counsel fees on pros
ecutions arising out of the sale of spiritaous
liquors by order OF court, elected quite long
discussion. The report was accepted.
The bill relating to the competency Of wit
nesses was next brought under discussion,
Mr.. Prescott OF Salem opposed the bill. He
thought public policy required that witnesses
should be subjected to the highest obligation
that could be imposed on mortal man, and
that the same guarantee should be required
for all testimony. An atheist who did not
stand in the fear of God did not give the
same guarantee.
Mr.. Littlefed of Foxboro' thought that if
the evidence of man who had been sleeped
in crime from his very infancy, ought to be
saken, simply on his affirmation that be be-
lieved in God. there IS as no step Of prohibit
ton beyond that, and it was utterly absurd
to think of any. What was a mans belief in
God good for, if it had not the effect of re.
straining him from crimes
The bill was ordered to third reading, III
voting in the affirmative, and 81 in the mega
tive. Adjourned.