Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-22
From the State House.

BosToN, Tuesday, Feb 81, 1871.
Contrary to expectation the general railroad
bill which has been reported TO the house was
not discussed to-day. The time was entirely
taken up in discussion of the bill which the
committee on the constablery investigation de-
sired to have passed, viz to compel witnesses to
testify, and at the same time shield them from
prosecution and punishment in future on ac-
count of statements they may make.
The discussion which lasted for a couple of
hours, was participated in by several members.
Mr. Cogswell of Yarmouth, one OF the most
graceful speakers in the house, advocated the
measure in long and elaborate discussion of
the legal and parliamentary phase of the ques-
ton. Mr.. Woodbury., who also spoke in
similar strain, thought the resolve did
not 20 far enough Messrs. Adams of Quincy,
Cogswell of Salem and many others advocated the
bill, some of them showing disposition TO wan
der from the question into an attack on the con-
stablery. Mr.. Hurd of birmingham differed
with his associates of the judiciary committee,
and in a direct and forcible speech criticised the
first part of the resolve relative to the compul-
sion Of witnesses as dangerous legislation, if not
unconstitutional. He moved an amendment,
which failed to satisfy the house, however Mr..
Beard of Brookline went farther than Mr.. Hurd
and opposed the whole movement for an inquisi-
turial committee. Under the operation of the
previous question, vote was taken, and the bill
passed by very large majority, after which it
was passed through its several stages, the rules
being suspended for the purpose The bill reads
as follows:
No person who is called as a witness before the
joint special committee the state police shall be
excused from answering any question or from the
production of any paper relating to any corrupt
practice or improper conduct of the state police
forming the subject of inquiry by such committee,
on the ground that the answer to such queItion or
the production of such paper may criminate or tend
to criminate himself, or to disgrace HIM or other
wise render hun infamous, or on the ground of
privilege; but the testimony of any witness exam.
ined before said committee upon the subject afore.
said or any statement made paper produced by
him upon such an examination, shall not be used
evidence Against such witness in any civil or
criminal proceeding in any court of justice; pro-
yided, however that no official paper or record pro-
duced by such witness on such examination, shall
be held or taken to be included within the privilege
of said evidence SO to protect such witness In any
civil criminal proceeding as Aforesaid, and that
nothing in this act shall be construed to exempt
any witness from rOs,cutiOn and punishment for
perjury committed by him in testifying aforesaid
The bills to revive the Neponset bank, of Cam
ton, and the Walthdm bank, and to incorporate
the Central savings bank in Lowell, and the
trustees of the Memorial hospital in Worcester,
also the bill in relation to the partition of lands
were severaly advanced stage, without discus
sion A little skirmsh relative to the bill to au-
thorize the formation of railroad corporations
showed that Mr.. Towne, of Fitchburg, was pre-
pairing to speak against it, and that Messrs.
Sanford of Taunton, and Adams of Quincy,
will advocate it. IL comes first in the orders of
the day for Thursday.
The senate concurred with the house in the
suspension of the seventeenth joint rule for the
reception of the three petitions presented yester-
day, and reconsidered the refusal to receive
bill to extend the time for the organization of
the Union exchange company in Boston, which
came under the provisions of tn same rule, and
the bill was referred to the committee on mer-
camille affairs. The petition of the board of
trade for the repeal of all laws requiring the pay.
ment Of head money upon immigrant passen-
gers arriving at ports in this state, was also re-
ceived. The following orders were then adopted:
| That the joint committee on expenditures consid-
er the eXpedi ncy of amending chapter 242 lcts of
| 1865, and chapter $40, acts of 1868, concerning
TUE returns ana la8aLlOn OIL UanK SnareS ana as
soclatlons for banking, established under the
| laws of the United S ates; that the committee
| on the judiciary consider the eXpedicncy of es-
tabishing county or district courts of inferior ju-
| risdictOn for tIial of civil and criminal causes
| The following orders. were adopted in the
| house: That the committee on horse railways
| consider the eXpediency Of general law for the
| formation Of horse railway companies and the
construction of horse railways; that the COM
mittee on military affairs consider the expedi-
| ency Of supplying the several organizations Of
| Massachusetts volunteer militia with General
| Lppett's practical Treatise on the art of war;
| that the committee on elections consider what
further legislation, if any, is necessary, to guard
against frauds at elections; that the Judiciary
committee consider the eXpediency of amending
section 8S, chapter 100, of the gener il statutes,
so that the jurisdiction OF trial justices may be
increased; that the secretary of the common
wealth be authorized TO take snch measures as
he may deem proper to obtain $50 copies of the
report of the Hon. David A. Wells, the special
commissioner on taxation for the state of New
| York for the use of the legislature.
The following reports of committees were
| made: A bill to incorporate the Lexington
savings bank. That the resolves in favor of the
house of the angel guardian, of the Springfield
home for friendless women and children, and of
James Nj. W Yerrinton; appropriating $1,000 in
aid of disabled soldiers who have served in
Massachusetts regiments; the bill toincorporate
the North Brldgewater agricultural society, and
tne resolve IN relation 10 SOLDIERS testimonials
severay ought to pass. That the bill to an
thoIize aqueduct corporations in cities and
towns to take water from streams land for
reservoirs, and to lay and repair
water pipes, and for the assessment
of damages ought not 10 pass. Inexpedient
10 legislate on a change of laws in regard 70
| proxies at annual meetings of life insurance
| companies. Leave TO withdraw on the petition
| of A. st. John Chambre, TO change the name of
Dean academy 10 Dean college, with power to
confer degrees; the resolve in aid Of the tenn.
porary asylum for discharged female prisoners
at Dedham, with an amendment to make the
sum $500 instead of S2500.
Their were several committee hearings this
| morning, that before the railroad committee
| being of most interest to the heart Of the COM
mouwealth, judging blythe humber OF Worcester
people in attendance. The matter under con-
sderaton was the petition of the Boston, Barre
and Gardner railroad for leave TO extend its road
70 Winchendon. To this proposition the people
OF the town Of Ashbnrnham object, as they will
DE deprived of railroad facilities if the Vermont
and Massachusetts, company should straghten
their line as proposed. Nearly all the forenoon
was occupied IN the question of allowing the
Boston, Barre and Gardner railroad to use the
location of the Nashua and Worcester railroad
10 worcester, to which the latter company
strenuously Objects