Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-05-16
From the State House.

BOSTON, MONDAY may ID, 1911.
In the senate to-day two bills were introduced on
leave under suspension of the 18th joint rule de-
spite an opposition to their being offered at this
late day of the session. Explanations were, how
ever required before the senate would admit them.
One of the bills, which was presented by Mr.. Col
Inns of Suffolk, Incorporates George B. Upton, Isaac
Livermore, and Thomas Russell, as the equitable
investment company, to be located in Boston for
the purpose of receiving from any person persons,
to invest as they shall direct sums of $500 and up.
ward. The capital stock of the corporation is to be
100000 and no business to be transacted until the
whole amount shall have been subscribed
for and actually paid in cash. The
second BILL which was offered by Mr.
Thayer of Worcester, is intended to enable
the Worcester mechanics association to legally pay
debts contracted sometime SINCE when the associa-
| tion was less prosperous than now. Nearly all the
session was occupied in debate on the bill to fix
minimum rate of two cents per mile for passenger
fare on any railroad whose dividends for the three
years last past have averaged eight per centum per
annum; provided, that no such corporation shall
be required to transport any passenger for a less
charge than ten cents. This bill would apply to the
Fitchburg, the Boston and Maine, the Eastern the
Boston and Lowell, the Boston and Albany, the
Worcester and Nashua, the Boston and Providence,
the Connecticut River, the New Bedford and Taun-
ton, and the Taunton Branch railroads. 1t was
contended by the opponents of the bill that it was
not the present passenger tariffs Of the railroad
companies that seriously affected the interests
of the commonwealth but that it was the exorbi-
tant freight charges. 1t was also claimed that it
would injure lateral lines, who are now struggling
and unable to pay large dividends, as they would
likewise be obliged to make their rates conform to
those on the trunk lines. On the other hand the
advocates of the measure believed that instead of
proving an injury to any corporation it would in
would be glad that the change had been made After
the adoption of an amendment that the lowest fare
shall be five cents the bill ordered to a third
reading by vote Of 16 yeas to 10 nays.
Mr.. Howe of Middlesex gave notice that on the
next stage of the bill he should offer amendments
to provide that no corporations shall charge more
than three cents per mile for any passenger; and
that nothing in the bill shall prevent railroad
poration from making an extra charge for berth in
sleeping car, or for passage in saloon or palace
car, but every railroad corporation shall furnish
with each train sufficient number of first class cars
for the use of passengers not desiring such extra
commodations.
In the orders of the day. the bill to authorize the
city of Worcester to establish city hospital was
ordered TO be engrossed. No other matters of im-
portance were disposed Of all the principal ones
being passed over.
In the house petitions were received of the select
men Of the town of Maynard that the town meeting
required to be held in May shall be held in June,
1871; and of the selectmen of Northampton and
others against chartering the Northampton boom
company. The vote by which the house refused to
receive, Friday, the bill to incorporate the Boston
cooperative building company, was reconsidered,
and the same was admitted and referred in concur
renee with the senate. The rule requiring
the liquor bill, from the senate, to go
to committee, was suspended by a vote
of Sc to n. Mr.. Vibbert of Rockport gave notice
that he should offer an amendment, which will
enable the wife or other relatives of man to re-
damages from liquor dealers, in case the man
receives an injury in consequence Of liquors pur-
chased Of any dealer,
The finance committee reported resolve allowing
the lieutenant governor $500 and each councillor
$50 for attendance during the session of the egs
lature, and to the lieutenant governor $40 day and
to each of the councillors So day for their subse-
quent attendance at meetings of the executive coun-
Gil during the present year. Resolves were also re-
ported fixing the salary Of the second clerk in the
auditors OF accounts office at $1,000 per annum;
and allowing 5000 to the disabled soldiers EMPLOY
ment bureau The judiciary committee reported
that gthe bill to authorize the town of Lenox to
| take land, &C., ought not to pass
In the orders of the day the bill to provide for
union passenger station and for the removal Of rail-
road tracks from certain public ways and
grounds in the city OF Worcester came up for
action, and several amendments of verbal charac-
| ter were submitted by the railway committee
through Mr.. Sanford, and adopted as was also new
section making provision for the payment of the
cost of this grand improvement. The several rail-
roads are authorized to issue new stock to cover the
cost to which they will be severally subjected said
new stock to be sold at auction under certain stip-
| lated regulations These amendments offered by
friends OF the BILL to perfect it, were adopted with
i OUT OppOsillOu1 Two OlHeT amendments Wnlcl
were submitted gave rise to debate and were defeat
ed, one of them offered by Mr.. Putnam of Worces-
ter looked to q decision by the people of Worcester
of the question Of location of the Union passenger
station; the other offered by Mr.. Gates OF Worces-
ter proposed that the location should depend npon
the decision OF majority Of the corporations.
Messrs. Sanford Of Taunton Adams of Quincy and
Barnard Of Worcester all of the railroad commit
tee opposed these last two amendments, explaining
| that the bill as submitted was the result OF
more labor and time than had beea given to
any other bill before the legislature, and had
received the sanction Of the five railroads interested
| and that of the city government Of Worcester.
Concessions had been made by all parties, and the
amendments which were offered only opened the
door to Others, and tended TO defeat the whole bill
which had been prepared SO carefully, and in a
spirit on Cancellation to every just possible interest
Other gentlemen spoke on the question, but the
amendments did not prevail, and the bill was Or
dered to 4 third reading
There was some opposition to the bills recurring
railroads TO have an adequate capital stock before
beginning 70 build their roads, aud devoting part
o. the pau At Greenfield to quarters for female con.
yicts, but they were both ordered to third read.
ing, Tue bill authorizing the payment of 5000 per