Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-01-17
iator is not stated, nor is there any mention
whatever of the Rinaldo.

LEGIsLATIvE.-The business in the legisla-
tnre, yesterday, was not of special public in
terest In the house a sharp debate occurred
incidental TO the question of extending the
benefits of the "aet in aid of the families of
volunteers" to Gen. Butler S troops, recruited
Independent of the authority of the state. On
TIE passags of the bill for this purpose TO be
enacted, Mr.. DAVIS of Plymouth raised the
question that the original act was open 10 grave
objections, that the families of officers and
those who were not in need might under it
take advantage OF the generosity of the COM
monwealth in the very hour OF its distress,
and that the present bill seemed TO open the
way for q still farther extension OF the evil.
He asked that the bill might lie over till to,
morrow, and be printed.
Mr.. BURBANK of Boston, chairman of the
committee on the militia, from whom the bill
was reported, replied at length with consider
able warmth, charging that the attempt to pro-
cure delay was prompted by partisan hatred
OF Gen. Butler that the member from Ply
mouth had resorted TO unworthy means to de.
feat this measure, Tor the sake Of gratifying his
spite, and calling out some correspondence or
other between the governor and the general,
i'll order to stir up here, wheie all was harmo.
ny, base party divisions and personal animosi-
ties. Mr.. DAVIS repealed the charges, and re.
peated his leading objection to haste in the
passage Of the bill
Some further discussion followed, when Mr..
CUSHING took tie floor, and Gained the tu-
mutt in briet and exceedingly well timed
speech. He said he appreciated fully the OBJ
lection raised by the gentleman from Ply
mouth, as TO the abuses to which these meas4
ures were exposed. But at this time there
was one great duty before us all. The coun-
try was on the verge of fearful distress and
disaster There was but one remedy-one re-
demption from certain, irretrievabe ruin
That was VICTORY. The people yearned for
victory. The heart of the nation painted for
the speedy, overwhelming, decisive victory of
our arms. Here in Massachusetts we were
bound to uphold and 10 strengthen them,
while they fought for our redemption
and, for this reason alone, though the
measure was not in form what he would
have chosen, yet, because it tended in
the right direction, he would close his
eyes TO its defects, and vote tor the imme-
date passage of the bill. Mr.. c. remarked in
cidenIally that he was clearly of the opinion
that the original act of the extra session. con-
trary to the opinion expressed by the govern.
or, applied to the troops of the New England
division" as well as to all other corps in the
state. But the governor, with frankness and
promptness which reflected great credit upon
him, had appealed to the legislature to solve
lis doubt. In this state of the case he waived
his own choice Of the method of sol ton, and
would approve the bill as framed by the mill
tary committee. AT the close of MIR. Cush'
ings remarks Mr. Davis Withdrew his objee-
tons, and the bill was unanimously passed to
be enacted. The house soon after adjourned