Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-02-19
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE.
THURSDAY, Feb.


Mr.. Parker of Worcester, on leave, intro
duced a bill to extend the time for the con-
struction Of the Boston, Barre and Gardner
Railroad to the LIST of July, 1868. Referred to
the Committee on Railways and Canals
Mr.. Brooks of Middlesex, from the Commit
tee on Railways and Canals, reported a bill au-
thorizing the Cheshire Railroad Company to
issue their bonds to an amount not exceeding
SooO,OO0, and to mortgage their road to secure
the payment thereof.
The orders of the day were taken UP.
The bill in relation to the Boston and Maine
Railroad, after debate, was refused third
reading-yeas 8, nays 25
Sundry bills were ordered to third read
ing.
The bills-to incorporate the American Cord
age and Webbing Company relative to the
fees of Registers of Probate and Insolvency.
respecting the sinking funds of the Troy and
Greenfield Railroad Company, and the Nor
wich and Worcester Railroad Company rela-
ting to paying fees of witnesses relating to
damages from alterations in highways; reat-
ing to channel called the Roxbury Canal
and to confirm the reduction of the capital
stock of the Boston and Sandwich Glass Com
pany, were ordered to be engrossed.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Chandler, of Worcester, from the Com
mittee on Public Charitable institutions. re-
ported resolve appropriating $4,000 for com
pleting the South building at the School for
Idiots.
Mr.. Rutter, of Waltham, from the Com
mlttee on Education, reported a bill relating
to school books and changes in the same
This act provides that the school committees
shall furnish school books to scholars at such
prices as merely to reimburse the expenses of
the same. Also that no changes shall here.
after be made in the school books, without the
unanimous consent of the committee, provided
that whenever the committee shall consist of a
greater number than nine, and the question of
school books is referred to subcommittee.
the unanimous consent of such subcommittee
with the concurrence of three-fourths of the
whole board, shall be requisite for change
Also that whenevera change of books is made
the pupils shall be furnished with the substi-
tuted books at the expense of the city or
town.
BY MIR. Wells, of Greenfield, from the Com
mittee on the Judiciary, reported inexpedient
to leglslate as to the repeal of the acts estab-
fishing police court in Milford.
The bill concerning the duties of district
attorneys was debated at great length, and
refused third reading by vote of 76 to 70.
Ordered to a third reading-Resolve provid-
ing for an amendment to the Constitution re-
lating to vacancies in the Senate providing
to vacancies in the Council
Passed to be engroSSed.-Bills &C., to extend
the time for locating and constructing the Mil
ford and Woonsocket Railroad, and for other
purposes; authorizing the extension of a pier
IN Essex Bridge; to incorporate the Globe
Fire and Marine Insurance Company in re-
lation to the New Plymouth records
FRIDAY, Feb. IS.
SENATE.
Petitions Presented.-Remonstran of Ger
man citizens of Massachusetts against the
two years amendment" Laid on the table.
Orders Adopted,-By Mr.. Upham, of Wor
cester, That the Committee on Claims consider
the expectancy of providing for the payment
of w. H. Cakes and Gustayus q. Haines for
services rendered in the Legislature of 1858.
Mr.. Branning, Of Berkshire, from the Com
mittee on Federal Relations, to whom was re-
ferred so much Of the Governors Message as
relates to the surrender of fugtives from ius.
tlce, between this and other States, reported
BILL which was read once
The orders of the day were then taken IN
sundry bills were advanced one stage TO n
third reading, among which was the bill in adj
ultloh 10 an act to incorporate the First Con-
gregational Society in Leomnister.
The bill relating to "Dog Fighting Cock
Fighting, and cruelty to other animals" was
discussed, ard laid on the table
At three O'Clock the special assignment
being the consideration of the Resolve provid.
ing Tor an amendment of the Constitution rela
i've to the qualification of votes, came up.
inns is the famous 1.-TWO years amendment"
so called.
Mr.. Hotchkiss of Franklin took the floor,
and spoke at some length against concurring
win the other branch, advancing many solid
reasons why the amendment should not be
adopted
Mr., Butler of Middlesex said he had hoped
to hear some reasons for this measure, but as
yet none had been offered Here we are, to
change one of the fundamental principles of
the Constitution, and no one gives q reason
for it.
With stentoran voice he called the Republi-
cans to account for their acquiescence in this
proposition, contrasting it with the extraordi-
nary ovations paid to Kossuth by the same
party in 1852, welcoming that distinguished
foreigner" to Massachusetts. He read from
the petition of the German citizens lust pre-
sented, and made II a text for an able and elo-
quent argument against the proposed amend
ment.
HOUSE.
Sundry petitions were presented for law
against delivering up fugitive slaves.
various papers from the Senate were acted