Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-15

his voice was firm; aud his whole demeanor
showed his fixed resolve to meet undaunted the
weighty responsibilities which even then the ex-
cited state of the country showed were soon to
devolve upon him, No man ever came to the
office with less actual experience in public at.
fairs. Like the martyred president, he had be-
come known to the country by his steady advo-
cacy Of human rights, and his earnest belief in
human progress
His first active participation in the war ex-
hibits the man, revealing his promptneSs, ener-
gy and practical talent, which enabled MaSsa-
chusetts troops, though tive hundred miles dis
taut, TO be With the earliest to defend the men
aced city, and TO relieve the president aud the
inhabitants from their terrible anxiety,
From that time 70 the close Of toe war he gave
himself no rest, but everywhere by voice aud
pen he urged the government aud people 10
push ON the war for the unity OF the nation, No
man ever heard him express doubt as to she
tual issue Of the coUditt, but With Uptalter,Ug
faith in the justice as well as the success N the
cause, he la6ored TO secure an early victory. lie
lived 10 see the natioa triumphant. and pcace
restored Aud then, true to the instincts Of his
nature, he Immediately proposed amnesty for
those lately in rebellion, aud demanded that tho
freedmen have equality of rights with their
former masters We stand here to-day, proudly
remembering that his aspirations have been
realized, and more than rcaliled-that his
yond the ideas entertained by most men, fore
Swallowed events now become historic. And
these events, passing beyond even bis anticipa-
tons, attest that an unseen hand moves the
hearts and directs the purposes of peoples and
nations to issues far beyond the expectations of
the broadest intellects.
Even in early manhood he gave promise of
all this greatness, for at the age of nineteen he
wrote to q friend, quoting this patriotic express
sion; Zone constitution, one country, one des-
tiny" and adding these soul-stirring Words
"Stand fast, hold on, fear not; few bullet-holes
through the bodies of reformers, though they de-
stroy mortal life are only so many sky-lights for
the truth to shine through,-and so much the SOON
er will its light illumine the nation"
This was the lofty utterance of his early days,
and beautifully do we find that loftiness tenn
pered and softened by the now familiar senti-
ments, expressed during his public career:
81 know not what record of sin awaits me in
the other world; but this do know, that never
was SO mean as to despise any man because he was
poor, because he was Ignorant or because he was
black"
Gov. Clafin closed by thanking the donors in
behalf of the people of the commonwealth, for
the generosity which has given to them this statne
of Gov. Andrew, now worthily placed near that
ofthe "Father Of his Country" and surrounded
by the memorials of the momentous contest in
which he bore so important part, and to the
successful issue of which he really gave his life
Be assured it will be faithfully preserved to fu-
| ture generations.
LEGISLATIVE WORK.
The proceedings in the legislature to-day were
not attended with much interest. In the house
a large number of petitions were presented,
most of which were in aid of petitions already
in, and the Others were of little public impor
tance.
In the senate an order was presented, and re-
ferred to the committee on printing, that 5000
copies of the Proceedings and speeches at the
presentation of the statue of John A. Andrew
to the commonwealth of Massachusetts be print
ed for the use of the legislature.
The following orders were adopted: That the
| treasurer communicate to the legislature state
| ment Of the expenses of the valuation commit
| tees OF the years 1850, 1860 and 1854, including
| the expenses of printing attending the same re-
| pectvely; that, whereas, by an act approved
| May IS, 1855, being chapter BAT, of the acts of
| that year, it was made lawful for the Western
| railroad company to unite with the Albany and
| West Stockbridge railroad company, and the
| Hudson and Boston railroad company, and the
| three corporations have by votes of their stock
| holders formed such union, and the laws of the
| state OF New York, under which the two corpor-
| atiOns last named were organized, permit the
| further consolidation with said corporations of
| any corporation in said state owning roads con-
| Meeting with either OF them, therefore, it is Or
| dered that tue committee on railways inquire
| whether any legislation is expedient to prevent
| or control the further consolidation of corpora
| tons owning roads in the state of New York
| with the Boston and Albany railroad corpora
| ton. That the judiciary committee inquire if
| some legislation is not necessary to prevent the
endangering of limbs and lives of citizens of the
commonwealth, and other passengers of railroad
| trains, by their being compelled to get off such
trains at places between the depots, for the rea-
son that they are unable to pay the fare de-
| manded; and further, to inquire if said railroad
| officer and employees should not be required BY
law in all cases, when it is legal and necessary
| to Tut off person from the train, to do so at a
| depot or place on the road where the train usu-
| ally stops. In the house an order was adopted
| that the committee on the judiciary consider the
| expediency of amending chapter 1879 of the acts
| of 1862, so that copies of executions levied on
lands not attached shall, in counties where there
| is more than one registry of deeds, be recorded
| in the registry for the district where the land
| lies instead of the Office of the clerk of courts
for the county.
The subject of introducing music in schools
| bill for which was defeated in the house, was
| brought before the senate to-day by Mr.. Bar
tholomew, Of Southbridge, who introduced on
| leave bill which provides that in towns of 1000
| or more inhabitants, music shall be included
| among the branches of learning to be taught In
| the house bills were introduced on leave
| to authorize the Boston, Clinton and Fitch
| burg railroad company to extend its track about
| thousand feet in Southerly direction in Fitch
| burg, and to incorporate the HeywoOd branch
| railroad company in Fitchburg with authority
to construct branch road to the factory of the
| Walter Haywood chair company.
Committees reported in the senate that it was
ineXpedient to amend chapter 1853, acts of 1862
| for the increase of a poll tax; and inexpedient
| on the order relative to fixing by law the sala-
| ries Of registers of deeds. In the house reports
were made that the resolve III favor of hospital
| at Tewksbury, and the resolve in relation to the
unexpended proceeds of the scrip issued in aid
| of the Boston, Hartford and Erie railroad COM
| pany, ought to pass.
| In tln Dr6prg Of the day in thn q 70 thn
to secure more equal appOrtionment of the
| state and county taxes upon the several cities
| and towns of the commonwealth, was debated
| on proposed amendment TO appoint the com
| missionerS for three years, and for Il valuation
to be made each year. The amendment was re-
jected, and the bill was ordered to be engrossed.
In the house the bill to incorporate the North
Cambridge and Someryille street railway COM
| pany was still further discussed, and was then
ordered to a third reading by vote of 100 to SO.