Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-01
From the State House.

BosroN, Tuesday, Feb. IS, 1871.
A large number of committee heaiinrs were
held this forenoon, the two which excited the
most interest, being those on the repeal of the
petit laws, in relation to which several witnesses
were examined on both sides, and on the order
introduced by Mr.. Collins of Boston in the sen.
ate, that the draws on Charles and Millcrs river
and Fort Point channel be closed agant the pas
sage of all vessels except those which can 20 un.
der the bridges. Mr.. Collins was the only one
who spoke IL favor of the order, and it was OPP
posed by the counsel of wharf owners above the
bridges, and the Boston and Maine, Old Colony,
and Fitchburg railroad corporations. No wit
nesses were examined, and the order will prob
ably not be considered further by the COM
mittce.
Additional petitions were presented - the leg-
stature to-day in favor of the annexation Of
Jharlestown and Somervihe to Boston, the clos
ing arguments for and against which were made
before committees yesterday. large number
of petitions aTainst railroad from Plymouth
to Sandwich were presented, and several remon-
strances again't the same. Petitions were also
presented against the annexation of portion
of Sheffield to New Marlborough, and in aid of
the petition in relation TO obtaining goods under
false pretences.
In the house, the committee on elections re-
ported on the contested seats of Messrs Wood.
bury Murphy and Regain, Representatives from
ward five in Boston. Three reports were made,
the majority, sgued by Messrs. Blrret, Root,
Leighton and Sisson, was in favor of granting
the petitioners leave to withdraw, as they had
failed to show that a single illegal vote was re-
ceiyed and counted for the sitting members, or
that legalvote cast for the petitioners or either
of them was rejected; or that the election of the
sitting members from ward tive was not fair and
legal expression of the will OF their constituents.
minority report, signed by Messrs. Boomer
and Biscoe, was in Iavor of declaring the seat Of
the sitting member vacant and the election void.
They also report resolve for a NV election.
Mr.. Allel also submitted a minority report, in
which he expressed his concurrence with the
other minority report, and gave some further
reasons for the conclusion to which he came
Other reports of committees were made in the
house, as follows; BY Mr.. Hersey, of Chelsea, a
bill to incorporate the AIarblehead savings bank
by Mr.. Baldwin, of Worcester, resolve az.
| proprating $500 annually for five years to be
| paid the trustees of Dukes county academy. to
| BIZ expended in aid of said institution; by Mr.
| Merriam, bill providing that chapter 179 oil
the acts of 1870 shall not be deemed to apply to
| cooperative associations. In thesenafe leave to
| withdraw was reported on tn petition for gen.
| raj law for the establishment Of savings banks
/ in small towns, ineXpedient with regard TO the
/ f,f raIf
| institutions; that the resolve IN relation to the
| repeal OF the duties on coal ought 10 pass; that
tine bill 10 incorporate the Bryant literary society
| Of Williams college ought not to pass that the
Dill for the better protection of witnesses before
the committee on state police ought to pass with
an amendment.
The following orders were passed in the sem
ate: That the committee on the Judiciary con-
slider the expediency of magistrates and trial
justices taking atfidayits, receiving complaints,
and issuing warrants, in any county of the com
monwealth; that the same committee consider
the expedlency of further legislation in relation
to the dissolution of attachments; that the com
mttee on military atfurs consider the expcdi-
ency of further legislation for the protection and
security of property in the vicinity of military
encampments.
In the senate, the various reports made yester-
day were accented Bills to authorize the town
Of Dudley 10 raj $4,000 foi Nichols academy;
requiring returns of amounts paid for ASSESSING
and collecting taxes in the commonwealth in
the year 1870, and to incorporate the Lcxin Eton
savings hank, were ordered to a third reading;
and the bill to incorporate the association OF the
evangelical Lutheran church for works of
mercy was ordered to be engrosSed
In the house. the bills 10 authorize the county
commissioners Of berkshire codnty to borrow
money; relating to county law library associl-
lions; and to protect the rights of insane per-
sons and minors, were ordered to be en- crossed.
The bill 10 provide for the election of road com.
nissioners was laid on the table; and the bill 10
regulate freight charges was postponed until to-
morrow.
T1e bill to authorize the formation of railroad
corporations was still further discussed, Mr.
Fairbanks of Fall River speaking in its favor,
md Mr.. Tram Of Boston making long speech
N opposition 10 the bill 1t was then Specially
lssigned for tomorrow at 21-2 O'Clock, when
the closing speech will probably be made by Mr..
Sanford of Taunton. In favor of the bill.