Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-17
sIa.saenn.ett. Lerl.Ia,ure.
SATURDAY Feb IL

SATURDAY, Feb. Is.
SENATE.-Order adopted-On motion of
Mr.. REED OF Bristol, that the committee on
mercantile affairs and insurance consider the
eXpedlency OF evying tax on each policy is
sued by any insurance company in this com.
monwealth, or by any foreign insurance com.
pany covering property in this commonwealth.
Orders OF the day-a resolve in favor of
Henry X. Oliver, treasurer, in the repayment
OF money paid out by mistake to members OF
the legislature, was debated at some length
and passed by a vote of IA to Il.
MIR. Thompson, from the committee on the
militia, submitted report upon all the orders
and petitions before that committee in relation
to the aid OF families of volunteers, unani.
mouS!y including in their measures of relief
two classes, those in the quota of Massachu-
sets, and members of Massachusetts compa.
MES now serving in the Mozart regiment and
Sickles' brigade. In relation to others they
report separate sections applicable thereto
The report is signed by all the members ex.
cept Mr.. Brown Of Taunton, who makes a
minority report.
HoUsE.-The committee on finance having
been Instructed by an order of Feb. Is to as
certain whether any money S have been Dor
rowed oy the treasurer since the extra session
OF The legislature i'll the year 1861, for which
-4N '' liO ttubliOtlAD ITOul tue legislature, and
II SO what and under what authority, ;" report
ed that the treasurer Of this commonN ealth
mas borrowed the following sums without au-
thorlty from the legislature, to wit:
I'm august 2 1881 and previous thereto 100000
IN sep ~ 1901, 100000
~ ne o 1901 100000
OH Dee' II, 1ool' ." 100000
Total Soon ooo
Ihe treasurer borrowed the above sums
all OF which have been repaid except $500.
UOO-of the banks and individuals, under or
ders passed from time to time by the governor
ana council, requiring him TO obtain a loan to
that amount. All parties were appraised in ad.
vance OF the nature OF the authority under
which these loans were negotiated. Prior TO
August 3, 1861, 81 900 900 was obtaaled at
five per cent, interest per annum, and SINCE
then most of the loans have been obtained at
SIX per cent per annum. Although not au-
thorlzed by the legislature, the urgent require.
ments or the military service and The unavoid-
aoie deiay Incident 10 preparing and negotl.
atlhg the scrip authorized at the extra sess on,
rendered necessary this exercise Of power.
by virtue OF " an act to provide Tor the
maintenance OF the Union and the constitu.
ton, approved May Dist, 1861, the governor.
has full power and authority to raise mil.
tary force to maintain III its full integrity the
authority OF the government of the United
States, and for this purpose WIS authorized to
incur expenses and 10 issue scrip to an amount
not exceeding S3,000,000. Ii appears that
under tins act an expenditure has been made
OF So, 473,047 10, being in excess of the amount
authorized, S473,0 Is, which excess. al
though incurred without authority OF the law,
was, IN the opinion Of the committee, fully
Jusuhed by the pressing eXigencies of tile pub
Tic service IAlS excess has likewise been