Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-02
From the State House.
BosroN. "Wednesday. Feb. 1.

Both branches of the legislature held long
sessions to-day, that of the senate being caused
by discussion on the state police appropria-
ton, and Of the house by discussion on the
question Of opening public libraries and reading
rooms on the Lords day.
Mr.. Monroe, OF Norfolk; moved to amend the
provisions of the appropriation bill relating 10
the state police by making the appropriation
the same as last year, and the amendment was
briefly advocated by the mover. Mr.. Board.
man thought the act creating the state police
was unconstitutional, and the actions of the
force since ii was created, such as to condemn it
and warrant its adjustment. He criticized the
report of the state constable, and gave some in
stances of wrong doing on the part of members
of the force.
Mr.. Stearns, of Hampden, charged the repub
lican party with having been deficient in cour-
aye for several years past, in not expressing an
opinion fully on the liquor question; their
conventions fed the people with chat, pass
ing resolutions against the evils of dram
shops, while they claimed to be in favor of
ludcious legislation in relation to the sale OF
liquor. They were properly, in the language
of southern editor, typifed by dove, having
no force nor sling in them, as illustrated the
other day by the Sumner resolution. The state
police did net suppress the sale of liquor, and
the force did NOT pay. He declared the officers
of the force TO be corrupt, and then said that
the force In trying to get rid of sin in the world
was flying in the face of Almighty God. He be-
ieved sin was necessary in the world for the de-
velopment of virtue, as storms and tempests
were necessary in the physical world.
Mr.. Rhodes, of Bristol, favored the amend
nent of Mr.. Monroe, as he thought the force
should not be any larger than it was last year.
Mr.. Crosby, Of Hampshire, said that, by the
statute, the number of the force was fixed at
siXty-three, and there must be that number
appointed, whether any appropriation was made
NOT He Objected tlp nnml0lV
striking the force through the appropriation
bill, and defended the action of the committee
in the course it had taken.
MIR. Thayer, ofWOrceSter, said he was in favor
of the principle in the establishment of the state
police, but he was opposed 10 the increase as
provided in the appropriation. He would have
preferred that the senate should have concurred
with the house, and awaited the result of an in
vestigation. AT the close of Mr.. Thayer's re-
marks, the orders of the day were laid on the
table.
Bills were reported in the senate to incorporate
the Somervie high school association; in addi-
ton to an act to incorporate the Cary improve
ment company; to authorize the Worcester gas
light company to increase its capital stock; for
the better protection of travellers at railroad
crossings, (making corporations liable for acct
dents at any crossing where there are no signals
| given in accordance with law); concerning the
notice to be given to poor debtors.
| The committee on agriculture, TO whom was
| referred the order relative TO further legislation
| to prevent the sale of diseased meat, reported
that they were satisfied that the commissioners
| and the authorities of towns and cities had M
| pie authority to protect the inhabitants from
| any distribution of meat or milk from diseased
| animals; tina. the commissioners have, by rigid
| rules, prevented the sale of diseased meat in
| Boston, and the towns, acting in concert, have
effected like results within their limits. They
| have also prevented the sale of milk from dis
eased COWS, and the committee are satisfied that
| all has been done in the premises that could be
accomplished by legislative action or conferred
| authority. The committee think that the dis
ease now prevalent will soon cease to exist
| among our cattle.
The bill relating to public libraries and read
| ing rooms was opposed by Messrs. Flood of Bos-
ton, Lewis of Mansfield, ltufin of Boston, Ever
| EFT of Rowe, Stedman of Boston, and Thompson
| of Gloucester; while Messrs. Pratt of Braintree,
| Hill of Waltham, and Mutt of Natick spoke in
favor of its passage. The arguments used were
| the same as those of yesterday-the tendency to
destroy the sacredness of the Sabbath on the
| one hand and the elevation of man through his
intellect on the other. The discussion occupied
nearly two hours, and the further consideration
was then postponed until tomorrow at IL
o'clock.
The resolve introduced by Mr.. Baker in rela-
ton to granting free passes over the railroads of
the state to members OF the legislature gave rise
TO the following petition of Nathan S. Davis and
lOTIN-u OCQeTS, OF somerset, when was pre-
scented TO the house this afternoon For the
enactment of law making it obligatory on all
railroad corporations, horse railroads, hackmen,
common carriers, hotels, theatres, and places of
amusement, throughout the state, to carry, pro-
vide for, and entertain each and all of the men,
bers of the legislature wherever and whenever
they may desire, and also TO convey their bag
rage or freight whenever and wherever desired,
within the state, without compensation" The
committee or railways reported this afternoon
on the resolve introduced by Mr.. Baker, recon-
mending its reference to the next general court.
A number of petitions were presented in favor
of a law permitting public libraries and reading
rooms 10 be opened on Sundays, and several
others in aid Of petitions which had been before
presented.
The reports of committees were very numer
Gus, but the matters reported upon were not gen
orally matters Of public interest. Bills were
reported authorizing the New Bedford and
Taunton railroad corporation to extend its road;
in aid Of the state lunatic asylum in Worcester;
to incorporate the Medwav savings bank and
the Benjamin Franklin savings bank; making
appropriations for the maintenance OF the gov
ernmcnt; the bill in relation to evening schools,
IN a new draft.
Mr.. Goodrich, of Fitchburg, introduced on
leave, bill to authorize the Whitman & Miles
manufacturing company, of Fitchburg, to in
crease its capital stock to $685. 900 and to hold
real estate.
All the matters in the orders of the day in the
house, were advanced one stage except the bill
in relation to instruction in music, and the bill
relating TO public libraries and reading rooms.