Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-13
From the State House.
SATURDAY. Feb. IL. 1871.

SATURDAY, Feb. II, 1871.
In the senate to-day the pre- ident called atten-
ton to the nth joint rule relative to the pre-
sentation Of petitions, memorials, etc., requir
ing notice to be given under chapter 2, general
statutes, and chapter 81, acts of 1862, the term
of forty days, expiring on Monday next. No
petitions were presented in The senate. Several
were presented in the house in aid of petitions
already in, and also the following: of George S.
Boutwell,, and 1853 Others of Groton in aid of the
petition of C.. W. Bellows and others, for a
railroad from Lexington to Pepperell; of Z. H.
Kellogg, that Thomas Allen and others may be
incorporated as the Pittsfield atheneum; of the
selectmen of Holyoke for payment for liquors
seized.
A number of orders were adopted in the SEN
ate, among which was the following: That the
committee on the Judiciary consider the expedi-
ency of so amending chapter 1853 of the acts of
1862, that the amount assessed as poll tax may
be increased; and of amending the law that
guardians Of widows may waive the provisions
made in the wills of their deceased husbands
ALSO if it is expedient to legislate that infants
shall not be debarred from the recovery of dam.
ages for injuries inflicted upon them by the neg
ligence and fault of other persons, on account of
the want of ordinary care on the part OF their
parents and guardians; also, what future legis.
lation is necessary to protect travellers upon
highways from mischievous dogs; also, whether
some legislation is not necessary by which the
power and authority of county commissioners
may be restricted, or an appeal be taken from
their determination to a court of competent
jurisdiction, or the question in controversy be
referred to a jury Of freehOders. That the COM
mittee on fisheries inquire what fui Their legisla
ton is necessary for the protection of trout or
other fishes in private ponds or streams.
Mr.. Bird of Norfolk introduced, on leave,
bill TO establish a board of harbor and land
commissioners to take the place of street boards;
three commissioners to be appointed for three
years, whose compensation shall be fixed by the
governor and council. Referred to the commit
tee on harbors.
Among the reports of committees was one
from the committee on the Judiciary, who re-
ported a bill to secure a more equal app0I-
tionment of the state and county taxes upon the
several cities and towns of the commonwealth,
providing for disappointment Of valuation COM
misioners in 1871, and every fifth year thereaf-
ter to consist of three persons, to make said
valuation.
10 the house, Mr.. Kimbal of Boston intro
duced on leave the following resolve: Resolved,
that the governor is hereby authorized to re-
~
ers 4 Co., of London, the residue now remain
ing in their hands of the proceeds of the scrip or
certificates of Indebtedness heretofore issued bv
the treasurer of the commonwealth for the pur-
pose of aiding the Boston, Hartford and Erie
railroad company in the construction of its rail-
road, and 10 agree on behalf of the common
wealth to repay the same TO the said Earrings
Brothers & Co., if they shall hereafter be re-
quired at law or in quily by final Judgment or
decree to pay the same to any other claimants
nf bO fnn do md 4l,a 81
the advice and consent Of the council is hereby
authorized to make such compromise and set
Element with any claimants of said funds as he
may deem to be advantageous 10 the common
wealth, and in pursuance of such compromise
and settlement TO pay over to such claimants
any part Of the said funds, upon receiving salts
factory security that the commonwealth shall be
unidentified against loss by reason thereof.
The motion TO reconsider the vote by which
the bill to amend chapter 142 of the General
Statutes, in relation to the trustee process was
rejected, came up in the orders of the day, and
| an attempt was made to postpone the consider
| alton OF the matter to Tuesday next in order TO
| have il acted upon by full house. Mr.. Adams
Of Quincy objected to postponement on the prin-
| ciple that all matters should be acted upon as
they came up in the orders of the day, and
should not be postponed on account of the ab-
| sence Of any member: a principle which he
| hoped to establish in the house. The motion to
postpone was lost, and also the motion to recon.
| slider, by vote Of So to 30.
The report Gnexpedient) of the committee on
education, on an order as to the amendment of
the act Of 1870, relative to the school district
system; and a motion by Mr. Pratt, of Brain.
tree, 10 substitute bill amending the above
act, by striking out "two-thrds' and inserting
ga majority" were in the orders of the day, and
motion was made to postpone their considera-
ton also. Mr.. Adams again opposed the post
ponement, and the motion was lost. Mr.. Pratt
then made quite long speech, at the close of
| which bis motion to substitute bill was lost
by vote OF Al to rs, and the report of the COM
mlttee was then accepted.
| Ihe bills to incorporate the Boston art club,
| 10 regulate the use Of Wenham Lake for bath
ing purposes, TO incorporate the North Attic
borough union building association, concerning
the return Of writs issued by municipal courts,
ana 10 change the time Of holding the criminal
Terms OF the superior court for the county of
berkshire were severally ordered to be en-
crossed. The bill to authorize the Framing.
ham and Lowell railroad company 10 mortgs,7e
its road was ordered to third reading, -