Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-13
From the State House.

BosToN, Saturday, March IL.
For the third time this session the yeas and
nays were taken in the house to-day. The
question was seemingly an unimpOrtant one,
relating simply to the construction of a wharf
at Nahant. The house has given the best part
of n week to the discussion of this matter, and
finally dispose of it by granting the special act
asked for to a couple of enterprising fellows who
desire to run a cheap boat, run a cheap hotel
and turn an honest penny in the "refreshment
business.
1t appears the manager of the estate where
the wharf is to be built was deluded into sign
ing a lease of a small piece of land for the
purpose, as was alleged, Of moving an
adjoining building to it. He is an old gentle
man, well known and respected for his humani-
tartan work, and discovered that the parties in
question and their lawyer had been practising a
sharp game. He protested against the building
of wharf; and they all knew that he never
would have signed lease for any such purpose
The people of Nahant by town meeting, pro-
tested also, and the member from that district
earnestly asked the house not to grant the
permission, as, under the circumstances, 1t
would be an outrage. Mr.. Thompson
of Gloucester, one of the most honest
lawyers in the house, and would be the most
eloquent but for slight impeachment i'll his
speech, made powerful appeal for justice. But
it was of no avail By vote of 90 yes to 70
no the petitioners were granted special act
to build the wharf. There were seventy mem
bers absent. The vote of Worcester county was
yes 8, no 8, absent 10. The four western coun-
ties beyond Worcester voted yes 10, no 5, absent
IS. Mr.. Samuel E. Sewall, the agent and
guardian of Mrs. Tudor and children on whose
estate the obnoxious wharf is to be built, was
present during the debate. Perhaps it would
have been matter of worldly wisdom for him
to have employed the lobby on his side.
Among the important acts passed without
discussion or opposition Of any kind, was one
giving ,225 to the Vermont and MaSsachu-
sets railroad company for repairing and keep
ing in order the Troy and Greenfield railroad
since the freshet of October, 1869, with further
abatement of rent; and another giving towns
the power to choose a board of three road COM
mssioners, one TO be chosen for one year, one
for two years, and one for three years, and at
subsequent elections one each year for a term of
three years. These commissioners are to have
all the powers and duties now vested by law in
SeleCIIlleD ana surveyors OF highways, CONCERN
ing streets, sidewalks, sewers and drains. The
bills in addition to an act concerning manufac-
turing and other corporations; in addition to an
act to incorporate the Boston pier or the Long
wharf, amended; for the better protection of
black bass; to incorporate the Sherburne and
| Natick railroad company; to authorize the
| Clarke institution for deaf mutes to hold addi-
tional real and personal estate; and the resolve
| in aid Of Dukes county academy were severally
ordered to be engrossed
In the senate to-day, friends of the Boston
base ball club succeeded in getting reconsider
alton Of the vote refusing to grant this Sportive
| organization the dignity a a special charter.
| 1t was done by one majority, and in the absence
| of formidable opposing senator, who is highly
called ont Tt CPS e WAY whit t q % He
| conversation long enough for all practical pur-
poses. When he got back into the senate the
base ball vote had been taken. The bill con-
corning the municipal court in Worcester was
| referred to the committee on the treasury. The
bills 10 incorporate the Dedham public library
| and reading room; to authorize the town of Ed
gartown to raise money for certain purpose;
relating to the Canton and Hyde Park and
Stoughton branch railroad companies and to
increase the jurisdiction of trial justices over
certain offences, were ordered to be engrosSed.
The committee reported to-day in favor of in
cooperating several well known men in Pttsfield
as the Berkshire athen9um; also a bill revising
several statutes concerning oaths in probate
court proceedings The committee on federal
relations reported leave to withdraw on the me
mortal of George Rowland Of Newport, R. l.,
in relation TO pensions of soldiers of the war of
1912.
The general subject of interest outside of leg
islative matters is the Washington folly. Every
body is surprised and republicans are indignant
at the way Senator Sumner has been assailed.
The railway committee will visit Worcester on
Monday to make personal observations before
concluding hearings concerning railroad mat
tiers in your city one of which is the location of
the Gardner and Winchendon road,