Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-02-09
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURES.

SENATE.-Ordered that TIE Committee on
Probate and GLancery be instructed to in
quire if any further legislation is necessary
respecting parties being witnesses in all
chancery and probate cases, and all other civil
proceedings.
On motion of Mr.. Clark of Suffolk, it was
ordered that the Committee on Federal Rela-
tions prepare and reporta series of resolutions
expressive of the earnest wish of the people of
this State, for the recognition of the indie
pendence Of Hayti and Liberia, on the part OF
the United States government, and that the
resolutions embody the reasons for the action
of the Legislature in the premises.
Mr.. Clark supported the order by a few eo-
quent remarks, denying that the recognition of
the Independence of Hayti and Liberia was not
alone desired by set of fanatical abolitionsls,
but by many OF the ablest and most conserya-
tive men of the North
asylum, for Eaebrtates. -Messrs. Taft and
Sabin we're joined to the special committee of
the House TO who n was referred the petition
of G. S. B. Spear ct ais. for the establishment
of an asylum for inebriates.
The bill concerning convicts committing
murder, question on the amendment offered
BY Mr.. Haynes of Middlesex, was taken up.
Mr. Messenger of Suffolk, spoke in favor of
the amendment. He said the recent horrid
ed his previous convictions in regard to the
matter
Mr. Usher of Middlesex replied.
Wednesday next at twelve o'clock was the
time assigned for vote on this question by
yeas and nays.
Mr. Poor then addressed the Senate against
the bill as amended.
Mr.. Churchill of Norfolk thought the only
question presented was whether or not the
executive should fix day for the execution
of convicts 1t was not matter of time, for
the Governor might order the execution with
in year or later, from the time Of conviction.
Mr.. Stone of Essex, opposed the amend
ment The debate has taken an unfortunate
direction, having Travelled off from the ques-
lion in hand. The abolition OF the death PEN
atty is not in issue.
He eontended that years delay was a
happy expedent to best accomplish the ends
of complete justice, anu hoped the law would
not be repealed. He doubted not shat the
amendment was born Of the excitement caused
by the murders in the State Prison.
After further debate, at one o clock the
Senate adjourned to Monday at twelve
o'clock.
HOUSE, Petition presented and Refereed
Of the Register of Probate of Essex County,
for an increase of salary.
Reconsideration. Mr.. A. J. Wright of Bos-
ton, moved a reconsideration of the vote
whereby the House, yesterday, indefinitely
postponed the consideration of the resolves
concerning the indexing of journals Of the
House, and the motion went into the orders of
the day for Monday.
The Committee on Elections, to whom was
submitted the credentials OF members of this
House, submitted first report, Of which the
following is the substance -
BY the list returned to the office of the Sec
rotary of State by the proper officers of cities
and towns, the number of cities and towns
represented this year is 239, and the number
OF representatives 354. There appear to be
eighty nine unTepresented towns in the Com
monwealth. Returns have been made by the
officers of the following towns, but the mem
bers chosen have presented no cree entails,
viz : Groveland and Salisbury in Essex Co;
MedfoId, Woburn, and Marlboro, in Middle
sex county; Brimfed, Westield and West
Springfield, in Hampden county; Millbury,
Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Westminster, and
Wnchendon, in Worcester county Foxboro,
Franklin, Midway, and Needham, in Norfolk
county; Pawtucket and Seekonk, in Bristol
county; and bingham, in Plymouth county
In respect to these towns the committee are
not prepared to state whether they are repre-.
sonted or rot.
The Committee on the Judiciary reported
that it is inexpedient to legislate in relation to
the amendment of the law of divorce.
Orders were adopted-to inquire into any
and what legislation is necessary in relation
to the duties of trustees under railroad mort
cages; 10 inquire into the expenses Of the
executive department of The State govern
ment; to consider the expediency of prohib-
iting Fire Insurance Companies from employ
ing travelling agents.
Mr. Armstrong of Boston, presented, by
leave. the following order, which was laid on
the table =
ResoIved That the Clerk of the House of
Representatives cause to be completed. under
his supervision, the general index to the Jour
nails of the House, up to the close of the last
session, and also the catalogue of the papers
on Tile in the House, with an index to the
same similar to the catalogues and indexes of
the Senate; provided, that he will contract to
do the same for the sum of fifteen hundred
dollars. And the governor is authorized to
draw his warrant for the above sum in full
payment OF the contract when the entire work
shall be completed,
The resolve in favor of constituting the Bos-
ton Daily atlas and the Boston Dahl Bee, the
official journals of the Commonwe alth, was
taken up, and ordered to second reading.
State Prison at CharleStoton.-T Senate
bill for the appointment of eight new officers
in addition to those already employed in the
otate Prison. came up in order, when Mr..
Webster of Boston, moved the reference of
the bill to the joint standing committee on
Prisons. This proposition gave rise to long
discussion, partly involving the merits of the
bill Mr.. Websrtr's motion was adopted.
The bill to incorporate the Merchants Mu-
tual Marine Insurance Co. was passed to be
engrossed.
At o'clock the House adjourned till IL
o'clock on Monday.