Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-13
From the State House.

DOo1SNJ 1du - lCi%'
The railway committee held a private session
this morning, and discussed the manner in
which they shall proceed to business There is
some opposition to the proposition to take up
the general railroad law at first, aud the nfu-
ence of private schemes is already felt inside the
committee room. 1t is desired by the chairman
and Others TO put off the consideration of the
petitions for new railroad charters until after
general law has been framed, and then TO in
clude them in it, The question was not decided
and was postponed until next Tuesday, 10
which time the committee adjourned. The pc
tition of the Vermont and Massachusetts rail-
road for leave to straighten their road at both
ends, and to increase their capital was taken
up, and hearing ordered two weeks hence.
Mr.. Hale, the chairman is expecting every day
10 hear Of his confirmation as assistant secretary
of state, when he will promptly resign, and Mr..
Thayer of Berkshire will succeed to the chair.
manship.
Mr. Davis, Of Lawrence, who contests the seat
now held by MIR. Patrick Murphy, appeared by
counsel before the house committee on elections
this morning. 1t seems that upon a recount of
the votes in five wards there was found to be
plurality Of three in favor of Mr. Davis, instead
of plurality of eight for the other contestant
as at first reported. No evidence was introduced
and the case was continued until Wednesday
next. The petition of some citizens of the town
of Maynard, who were formerly citizens of the
town Of Stow, and who wish a new election be-
cause they claim that the seectmen left their
names out of the voting lists, was considered;
also q nptitioO from Nv Of ElapI al, .hc
contests the seat of Mr.. Babbitt, the representa-
tive from the fifth Bristol district. The commit
tees on mercantile affairs, Insurance. towns,
harbors and agriculture met and organized
Both houses adopted their rules and orders
to-day with some amendments, the most impor-
tant of which was in the senate, where an
amendment was adopted that no new business
should be received after forty days except by
five-siXths vote instead of hree-lourths vote as
formerly. An attempt was made to extend the
time when business could be received to the list
of April, but this recommendation of the COM
mittee was voted down, so that the change is
decidedly in the interest OF a short session. In
the house one or two changes of minor import
ance were adopted and the clerk was instructed
to give in the orders of the day list of all Pc
titions, orders and bills introduced on leave and
senate papers, which will give Warrington"
good deal more business and bother the report.
ers considerably.
An important bill was introduced on leave in
the senate by Mr.. Coo, of Bristol, providing for
the appointment of the police commissioners by
the governor, and increasing the force to $40
members. Mr.. Wright the Middlesex member,
procured the passage of an order instructing
the railway committee 10 consider the expo
diency of prohibiting members of the legislature
from receiving passes from railroads. Mr..
mayer of Worcester also started an order look
ing TO an amendment of the divorce laws, so
that we may soon expect some earnest debates
in both branches.
Inc house held very short session and did
very i''tle' "hh unexpected economy the or
ueI Iepor'ed Dack Oy the committee on printing
for five thousand extra copies Of the messaoe
was voted down, Notwithstanding one member
said that the message was such good one thu,
it ought to be hung up with the Old Farmers
almanacj at the fresides. The senate has ar.
dered ten thousand copies and the house none
thereby saving four hundred and fifty dollars
An order was introduced by Mr. Brown of
Adams to take away from the governor and
council the power to dispose OF the states inter-
est in the Hoosac tunnel and Troy and Green.
field railroad. or rather 10 get the railway com.
mittce's opinion about it. The member elect
from Sputhboro, Mr.. Francis Fisher, was sworn
in and took bis seat Both branches meet M
eleven tomorrow after the usual fashion.
His eXcellency Governor Washbnrn has nm.
nounccd the committees of the council for the
ensuing year as follows:
On Pardons-His honor the lieutenant governor
ana Messrs. VIM, stoddard, Fitch and Macy
finance-Messrs VIM, Fitch, Harris, Hildreth
and Chase.
Troy and Greenfield Railroad and Hoosae Tunnel
Hts honor the lieutenant governor and Messrs
Reed, Stoddard, VIM and Macy.
Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad-Hls honor
the lieutenant governor and Messrs. Fitch, Harris
Chase and Hidreth.
Harbors Railroads and Brdges-His honor the
lieutenant governor and Messrs. Fitch Reed Harris
and Hildreth.
state Prison-Hon. Messrs. stoddard, VIM
| Fitch, Reed and Chase
Military Afiars-Hls honor the lieutenant gov.
ernor and Messrs. Reed and Stoddard.
| Chase. ~"
wsrrants-Hon. Messrs. Macy, VIM and Hi.
] Accumulation. Messr Macy and Harris.