Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-18
From the State House.
The Otis Company Oyster Beds and
state Police IN the IEOusc-The Mileage
Question.

BOsTON, Jan. II, 1872.
The orders of the day made their appearance
in the house for the first time to-day, bearing a
list of three bills which were ready for passage
TO a third reading. There was but little prelim-
iuary business. The petitions were but few in
number, and two of these were from the treas
urers CT certain religious, educational and be-
nevolcnt societies, for relief from the tax on
bank shares Each of the three bills excited
debate Mr.. Kimball of Boston could not see
why the Otis company should be given leave to
hold real estate in three counties, Worcester,
Hampshire and Hampden, but the peculiar stu-
alton of the company's business was clearly eX-
planned by Mr.. Upham of Spencer, chairman of
the committee on manufactures, and the bill
was passed without further opposition. The
next bill in the orders was the one TO amend the
general statutes in order to better facilitate the
rrNtc--:iJn of oyster beds and fishing grounds.
There seemed TO be a difference of opinion as to
whether the repeating OF a single section of
the act would aid the fishermen in
protecting themselves against the trespassers.
The bill was finally referred 10 the committee
on fisheries, who will see if they can find bet
ter solution to the problem than that furnished
by the judiciary committee. When the bill to
change the manner of appointment of the police
commissioners and give the governor and coun-
ell control of the matter was taken up, Mr., Potter
of Worcester moved an amendment to abolish
the board of commissioners and practically re-
store the law of 1870. Mr.. Qugeley of South
amptou also offered a substitute bill TO abolish
the commissioners, constableS, and all, and so
the whole subject OF the STATE constabery is
brought forward early in the session, when there
is sufficient time to give it thorough attention.
The commission of three, acreation ofthe legisla-
ture of 1871, is regarded as useless and intended
only to shield the governor from the response
bilty Of the non-enforcement of the law. Fur
ther consideration Of the subject was postponed
until tomorrow.
Bills were introduced on leave authorizing the
Worcester southeast agricultural society to own
more real estate, and in relation to officers and
soldiers who served in the regular army, and
whose services have not been suitably ucknowl.
edged. The committee on federal relations were
on motion of Mr.. Cogswell, instructed to see
whether it is worth while to advise congress in
regard to homesteads for Union soldiers and
sailors.
In the senate to-day Mr.. Bartholomew offered
an order for the investigation of the conduct of
Gideon Haynes, the late warden of the state
prison. He proposes TO have the committee on
prisons find ont whether Mr. Haynes took brides
or shared in the profits Of the contracts. The
consideration of the subject went over until to
morrow, and it is possible that it may fail al
together as Mr.. Haynes is out of office and
qnietly preparing to leave the country, and it is
felt by many that the subject is one which
might as well be let alone. If Governor Claain
is willing to rest silent in the face of the vindic
tive newspaper statements made by Haynes,
there seems to be no especial reason for pressing
an investigation.
Senator Torrcy, of Fitchburg, introduced a
bill to authorize the Boston, Clinton and Fitch
burg railroad company to buy up SO much of
the Mansfield and birmingham railroad as lies
north of the Boston and Albany railroad. 1t
was sent to the committee on railways.
Senator Potter of Arlington, who seems TO be
genuine reformer, introduced an order author
izing the committee on mercantile affairs TO
consider the eXpedency of reducing the mileage
of members of the legislature and executive
council from twenty to ten cents mile His
excuse for offering such an order was, that the
members were nearly all provided with free
passes, wherefore it resulted that member of
the council from Berkshire received double the
compensation of a member from Boston. Mr..
Richardson opposed the order and it was laid on
the table
The committee on elections were engaged to-
day in investigating tie contest of the seat of
Mr.. William Rabbit, of the 9th Bristol district,
by Mr.. Burt of Berkeley. report will probably
be made on il tomorrow. The committee on
railways have chosen Mr.. Frank S. FisSe of
Boston clerk. He is not member of the legis-
iature. The committee are working I'D the
details of general railroad bill, to be sub
mitted to the legislature at an early day. The
Spencer people were before the committee on
mercantile affairs explaining their hotel project
The new heads of departments of the state
government were sworn in before the governor
and council to-day. Mr.. Train, the attorney
general, was the ouly new man. The latter
officer retains Mr.. James C. Davis as his assist
ant.
The bonds of Mr.. Adams, the treasurer, and
Mr. Endicott the auditor, were approved by the
council.