Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-09
From the State House.

This has been, on the whole, u very unsatis-
factory day at the state house. There was a
little dull, routine work in the senate, and some
very dreary speaking in the house. Several
committees held meetings in the forenoon, but
the testimony given before them was uninter-
esung. The senate had a short session. An
other order was put in by Mr.. Bird in relation
to the Boston, Hartford and Erie railroad, as
follows: That the committee on the Boston,
Hartford and Erie railroad inquire and report
whether any legislation is necessary or eXpe-
dent in regard TO enforcing the bond of John S.
Eldridge and others, in the contract with the
commonwealth for the issue Of state scrip in
aid of said road.
On motion of Senator Munroe, it was ordered
that the committee on military affairs be
instructed to consider the eXpediency of print
ing an additional edition of the "Record of
the Massachusetts volunteers from 1861 to 1865"
The petition of members of COD, of the 18th regi-
ment, that the book named above might be sup
pressed on account of the many errors existing
in it was considered by the committee on mill
itary affairs in the morning, and the adjutant
general testified that the errors referred to were
caused by inaccuracies in the muster-Out rolls
He suggested that when any errors were found
by soldiers throughout the commonwealth,
they should notify him, and some additional
leaves might be printed containing corrections,
and placed in all volumes which might be here
after sold, and furnished to those who already
possessed volumes of this work. An order was
also passed in the senate requiring the commit,
tee on the judiciary to consider what changes,
if any, are necessary in chapter 4O4 of the acts
of 1870, relative to divorce.
The house gave most of the afternoon to the
further consideration of the contested ward 5
election case, of Boston, which was decided by Il
vote of 101 to 80 in favor of the sitting men,
bers. The debate on the part of some of the
Boston members indicated that republicans as
well as democrats are in the habit of buying the
ward five vote, and that it is common thing
for the political managers of that promising To-
cality to manipulate the vote after the New York
style. 1t was intimated by Mr.. Merrill that the
republican success in Mr.. Twichell's district last
fall was due to the judicious management of the
powers that rule the ward 5 polls. Mr. Wood
bury, the genial and able member from this dis.
trict, has had no fear of being ousted, and has
enjoyed the debate and commented upon it
freely in his most happy style.
The resolutions in favor of the shipbuiders of
the United States were not discussed at great
length, luckily for the patience of the house.
One prominent member said soto yOce that he
was in favor of abolishing the committee on
federal relations, as said committee seemed to
have no work TO do, and was constantly moved
to report useless resolutions. There was some
discussion on a motion to recommit, which was
carried with instructions to report resolutions
recommending, l. A drawback on all materials
entering into construction of vessels intended
for registered tonnage Of the United States. g
The suspension of the navigation laws for two
years, to admit the purchase of vessels for reg.
lister only, on payment of duty equivalent to
the difference between the cost of labor in the
construction of the ships in the United States
and Great Britain.
The following reports OF committees were
read in the senate That the resolve proyid-
ing for an amendment Of the constitution in re-
lation to the qualification of voters, passed by
the legislature Of 1870, ought to be agreed to.
That the resolve in favor of the Springfield
home for friendless women and children ought
to pass, with an amendment to substitute 50 900
for SO, 800. A resolve relating to the Normal
school boarding houses at birmingham and
Bridgewater (reeaSng the board of education
from the payment to the state of insurance and
of interest on the cost of said boarding houses)
lnexpedient on the order in relation to abolish
ing the death penalty bill in addition to an
act to authorize the city Of Boston to build an
additional reservoir, authorizing the laying of
an aqueduet or new main pipe through Brighton
and BroOkline to Boston. bill to change the
time for holding one of the terms of the SUI
preme judicial court in the county of Suffolk
The bills to incorporate the Everett and Chel-
sea street railway company; to incorporate the
tI,n
Boston and PrOvincetown steamboat company;
to authorize the county commissioners Of Berk-
shire county to borrow money, were ordered to
be engrossed.
: The following reports of committees were
made in the house: A bill TO amend chapters
2O1 and 2O2 of the acts Of 1870, in relation to
appeals TO the supreme judicial court. Leave to
withdraw on the petition of w. II. Keith and
Others, for amendment Of general statutes re-
lating to compensation for serving on sheriff s
juries; that the bill in relation to the dissolu-
tion of attachments ought to pass; bill
amending the thirty-sixth section of the
general statutes; providing that a town which
refuses or neglects to comply with the requsi-
ton of the section relating 10 furnishing school
accommodations, shall forfeit a sum not less
than $500, nor more than $1,000
The resolves authorizing the issue of arms to
the Dean academy, in favor of Melia Walton,
the Danvers savings bank, Timothy Murphy
the town Of Dana, Margaret X. Dearborn, and
John Peck, and the bills to increase the capital
stock of the Lowell gas light company, and TO
authorize the town of Dudley to raise $4,000
for Nichols academy, were severally ordered to
be engrossed.
Among the petitions presented to-day were
several for a ten hour law; for a railroad from
Dunstable to Concord; for the amendment of
the prohibitory law; against a railroad from
Plymouth to Sandwich; in aid of the petition
OF the WashingtOnan home; and for the annex
alton OF Peabody to Salem; and in aid of the
petition of the Boston board of trade and others
IN relation to obtaining goods under false pre-
lenses. An order was adopted, that The COM
mlttee on parishes and religious societies consd-
err and report whether any further legislation is
necessary to enable the trustees of Methodist
Episcopal churches to mortgage their property
at any time. A bill was introduced on leave to
authorize the appointment OF superintendent
of highways
Among the committee hearings to-day, which
were, perhaps, Of the most general interest was
that by the senate judiciary committee who
had under consideration the petition of John G..
Loring and Others for a modification or repeal
of the Sunday laws. The idea of the petitioners
is not to do away with the general observance
of Sunday, but only TO have certain sections of
the statutes repealed, which, they claim, are
against the sentiment of the people, and ought
not longer 10 remain on our statute books.
Among these are the provisions which relate to
| the observance of Sunday between the hours of
midnight on Saturday and midnight on Sun
| day; TO punishment for participation in any
game on the evening preceding the Lords day;
concerning the making of contracts on Sunday
anu promoting riding, except in cases of nee es-
sity, on that day. Mr. Loring and Mr.. Charles
n. Mhipple presented the views of the petition
eIs, and read from works of eminent writers
showing that unless men felt morally bound to
regard the observance of Sunday, it was taking
away thelr nights when legislation attempted to
enforce them to an opinion.
The committee on towns heard the petition of