Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-03
From the State House.
BosToN, Monday, Fe

The house listened to two long speeches to-
day on the bill declaring the statute shall not
be construed to make criminal the opening Of
public libraries on Sunday, Mr.. H. S. Wash
burn, of Boston, speaking against the bill, and
Hon. Levi Woodbury. for it. More speeches are
to be made tomorrow afternoon, everybody
seemingly DESTROYS to crate on the subject, and
but few speaking to the question. The senate
differed from the house on the coDStablery item
in the appropriation bill, and made the appro-
| priation S105000 the same as last year. The
| house, it will be remembered cut it down to
$50, 600.
In the house petition was presented from the
labor reform league asking for the repeal of Sec
| tons Is and 10 of chapter 1862 of the general
statutes, which they say constitutes banking
monopoly by making free money a penal
| offence, and provide in their stead regulations
whereby currency may be issued by voluntary
associations, on their own responsibility, and at
their own cost. There was petition from Mr..
Thomas NJ. Hopkinton, and twenty-five others,
OF Groveland, for law requiring more equal
and just rates for season tickets on the railroads
in this commonwealth,
The following bills were reported BIZ commits
tees: To incorporate the town Of Aver, 10 COM
PRISE territory now in the towns of Groton and
Shirley, in the county of MlddleseX; in addition
10 ian act to establish the police court of Fitch
burg, providing for the elecuon of a clerk for
the same; 10 incorporate the town of Everett
to incorporate Smiths college; to authorize the
reopening and maintaining of an outlet for Low
ellis pond in the town OF Barnstable.
Gu motion of Mr.. futile of Boston, an order
was passed that the committee on the STATE
police consider the eXpediency of repeating chap
ter III OF the acts r. 1867, which adds 81 to the
number of state police and also of amending
section LIST of chapter PSI of the acts of 1866,
which fixed the number at 50.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The eighth annual report of Massachusetts
agricultural college was presented to the senate,
and an order 10 print 10000 extra copies was re-
ferred TO the committee on printing. The re-
port states that the number of students has
been larger than ever before; greater than can
be properly accommodated in the dormitores.
The general conduct and spirit of the classes has
been good, and the progress in studies as good
as can be expected in the diversity which pre-
walls, in calls for manual labor, military drills,
&c. The president and six resident professors
are assisted in special departments by
nonresident professors. One additional resi-
dent professor is needed and will be appointed
when the funds are provided therefor. Thirty
three acres were cultivated in corn, oats, pOta-
toes, turnips, &C., making good returns except
the oats. The hay crop amounted to 16S
tons. The stock on the farm had been greatly
improved by the purchase of thoroughbred ami
mails. The amount paid to students for labor
was Sl15O, and the expenditures exceeded the
receipts. One Of the experiments of the year
was the cultivation of the sugar beet, which has
been made very profitable in France, the product
last year being about S13 900 ,000in revenue, be-
sides 100000 gallons Of alcohol distilled direct
~ from the beet juice, and paying tax of near
" So, 900 900. The horticultural department of
the college is steadily prospecting, and the sue
cess of the college is universally conceded. The
salaries of the faculty for the year 1871 amount
| to S16750; S5000 OF which is to be provided by
legislature. The other expenses will amount to
| about $1,000.
| COMMITTEE HEARINGS.
Several committees gave hearings this fore
| noon, the most important of which were the
| hearings on the contested seats of the repre-
sentatiyes from ward five in Boston, and the
annexation of Charlestown, Someryile and BOs-
| ton. In the former hearing, the case of the re.
spondents was opened by Mr.. Morse, their coun.
sci, and Mr.. Edward 2. Spalding one of the
United States supervisors present at the election
gave testimony in their behalf MIR. Morst
claimed that the charges made by the petitioners
were not proved. He admitted that iIlega
voting did take place, but the votes were cast
out, and that the rights of his clients TO thei
seats was not affected thereby.
The hearing on the annexation of Charles
town, Someryille and Boston, was opened b,
Mr.. o. S. Knapp, who appeared for petitioner
in Somerville, and Hon. Alexander Ii. Rice
Roland Worthington, L. e. Purdy, and Mr.
Lewis Rice, were called as witnesses. The test
mony given was strongly in favor of annexation
mostly on general grounds that the affairs of
large municipality could be managed nue.
better than by several small municipalitie
where their interests whre the same and the bent
fit which the commonwealth would derive iron
the increased size of Boston, business Away
being drawn to the largest centres. The heaI
ing will be continued tomorrow evening.
| Rove OptNtoN on RooUs Apour Rove -