Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-03-21

TUESDAY, March 19.-In the Senate, in re-
Spouse to inquiry of the executive department
whether G. NJ. Weston had any legal claim for
services in prosecution of the Massachusetts
claim, Gov. Banks sent in a special commune
cation, giving brief history of the case He
says Early in the year 1855 Mr.. Weston,
then acting as agent for the state of Maine, at
Washington, for the prosecution of the war
claim, solicited the cooperation of this govern
ment, by the appointment of an agent who
would, as representative of Massachusetts,
ald hlln IN the prosecution of the debt | at
once consented TO lay the subject before the
legislature, at its approaching session, if 1t
should appear that there was possible chance
Tor obtaining payment so long deferred and
also assured him that | should be willing to
select MIR, Hanscom, whose appointment Mr..
Weston desired, on the ground that he had
been consulted by him, and that they had act
ed together in all matters appertaining to the
claim at the time" Mr.. Hanscom was accord
ingly appointed, with no other authority than
that contained in the fact of his appointment
and no condition was annexed thereto, except
that no claim was to be made upon the treas
ury for his services, unless some portion of the
debt was recovered. The message continues
before the appointment Of agents on the part
OF tins state, fear was expressed that if no
agent was appointed by Massachusetts, the re-
covery of the claim would leave Maine in an
embarrassing position, if Massachusetts should
receive two thirds of the money and
should not bear any part of the ex-
pense. l did not hesitate to assure the agent
OF Maine that in such event, should recon-
mend to the legislature to assume its full
share OF the burden incurred by the state of
Name, with any advantages that might follow
from the recovery Of the claim. The contn-
gency feared, however, did not occur. The
agent was appointed, and the state of Maine
has made no request for contribution for ex-
penses OH the part of this state. If the state
OF Maine had incurred expenses for the recov-
cry of the war debt, from which Massachusetts
derived large advantages, | should unhesita-
tingly recommend the legislature to assume,
upon the request ofthat state, her proportional
share Of the burden If the agent of Maine,
acting without authority of this state, has con-
terred upon Massachusetts, while in the SER
wee OF Maine, important advantages, it would
seem to present an equitable claim for COM
pensation. Whether it be so in the case pre-.
sented is subject exclusively for the consid.
Grafton OF the legislature, as it is the only de-
partment OF the government which has author
lty to recognize the service, or to estimate its
value. The correspondence between the gov.
ernor and Mr.. Weston accompanied the mes
SoSS' ne PdPeiS were OTueTeu 10 De printed.
The consideration Of the report for leave to
withdraw on the slavehunting petitions was
assigned to Thursday morning The bill in
aid OF the Ladies' Collegiate Institute in Wor.
cester was referred TO the committe on the
treasury.
In the House, the Senate amendment. re.
ducmg the appropriation for premiums at the
state fair from $4,000 to $4,000, was conquered
H. The committee on charitable institutions
reported resolve authorizing the rebuilding
o on .he chapel at Westboro' reform school, The
bill for the more equitable assessment of tavns
was rejected. The resolve in favor of the
Massachusetts, school for idotic and feeble
minded youth, was ordered to a second read.
ing.