Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-28
The Legislature.-Extra Session,
a Brief sos.ion-rheorlc. of Insurance.

BosToN, Wednesday, Nov. q.
| The legislative session to-day was short, the
| near approach of the annual Thanksgiving
warning the members not to vex themselves over
insurance laws, projects for draining Boston and
| the like, while everywhere was sounding the
notes of preparation for the great New England
festival.
The senate finally consented to send to the
committee Mr. Newel's bill to guarantee insur-
ance in mutual companies, thus concurring with
the house. The general insurance bill was not
finally passed upon to day, but Mr.. Tafbo&, who
is opposed to it, intends to move next Friday a
reconsideration of the vote by which it was
passed to third reading. When it reaches the
| house long discussion is anticipated. In the
| latter body to-day, Mr.. Abbott of Nal.
| den introduced a bill rowing the act
of 1855, which allowed cities and towns
TO insure properly in their respective
municipalities. This bill was discussed at an
Informal meeting of the members this morning,
at which gathering Mr.. Gardner of Swansea
said that in the cantons of Switzerland the
property was insured by the municipality at
low rate, and the plan worked well. Under the
present system the rural towns suffered the
losses of the larger towns and cities 1t would
only be just and honorable to allow towns to
insure themselves if they choose. Mr.. Abbott
said such a law would interest every person to
make the fire department more efficient. He
believed the city of Boston had paid more for
insurance in the last twenty-five years than it
had received or would receive, even if all the
losses by the great fire were paid in full Mr..
ITnbAm of Sppuppr said rho insurance -,
that town had increased a hundred per
cent in the last ten years. They had con-
stantly increased notwithstanding the in.
creased efficiency of fire departments. His
town paid at least $4,000 per year for in
sulance, greater amount than they had ever
lost by fire. Mr.. Porter of Revere said that it
was general wonder that the law allowing the
formation oil town insurance companies had not
been continued in force, and he hoped such a
law would be passed at the present session; and
he believed that in one years time three lOurths
OF the towns would nsnre themselves. Mr.. Jer-
negan Of Edeartown believed that there were
some honest insurance companies while Others
were complete swindling mills. Some system
oil protection should be afforded against the lat
ter class. When men have taken out len times
their investments in insurance companies, and
refused to pay more than fifty cents on the
dollar ~ case OF fire, they were dishonest. He
believed there should be a limit TO dividends and
the amount of risks taken.
Among tue committee reports to-day was one
from the military committee recommending to
the favorable consideration OF the next great
aud general court the petition Of the officers OF
the first regiment for damage to their uniforms
while on duty at the Boston fire It is stated
on good authority that the cost to the state of
the military employed in the burnt district will
not be less than $4,000. The report of the
special committee on insurance inexpedent on
an order relative TO limitation OF fire risks, etc,
was accepted. The bills relating to the stereo.
type plates of the General Statutes Of Massachu.
sets and supplements; in favor of Messrs.
Wright & Potter; 10 authorize the extension Of
railroad tracks into the burned district Of the
city Of Boston, were ordered to third reading
lhe Boston loan bill was passed TO be en-.
crossed as was also the bill concerning the eX-
tension Of railway tracks IN the burnt district
under suspension Of the rules
. When the resolve in relation TO the compensa.
uoh Of members during the present session Of
the legislature, introduced by Mr. Merritt of
opllhgheld, the committee on finance report
aTalnsl H. came up IN the orders Of the day, Mr.
Meiiltt urged its passage, claiming that il
would De an honorable and generous thing for
the mouse TO do 10 give their pay TO the state
ar. Smlih VI Boston "a sufferer By the ire) said
that II Mr. Merritt wanted to be generous, and
me resolve did not pass, he could donate ii 10
him (Smitb).
The committee Oh parishes have closed their