Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-11
From the State House.
BosroN. March Q. ISL:

BosToN, March 8, 1872
However largely the number of our Massa-
chusetts scalaring men may have been dImn-
ished, their interests are far from being forgot
ten here at the state house, if the passage OF a
resolution by the house memorializing congress
in their favor is a voucher of the public regard.
Notwithstanding the committee on federal rela-
tions aided by Cogswel, Thompson, Quincy and
Others of the judiciary committee, opposed the
resolution, their opposition ayailed nothing
against the eoquence and facts Of The ancient
mariners and sea-captains, not less than seven
of whom made effective speeches to-day. Capt
Fisher of SouthbOro a veteran seafaring man,
Capt. Jernegan Of Edgartown, and the Cape
Cod and Cape Ann mariners had a powerful
helper in Moses Kimball who spoke with
great vigor and was very caustic in
his treatment of the speech of the
chairman of the judiciary committee. The
resolution was introduced by Mr.. Taylor, of
Boston, and calls upon our senator's and repre-
senlativcs at the national capital to use their
influence Tor the modification of the maratime
law, so that sailors claim for wages may be pre-
tected and not made liable to forfeiture by ship
wreck; that such wages may not be dependent
on freight, and that their pay shall continue
during any suit which is appealed by the own.
ers. This seems a very just proposition,
certainly it is very harmless affair, and il is
difficult to see why the house need to spend
whole session upon tin fact, spending the
best part of two sessions. An attempt to shut
off the stream orsdebate by calling the previous
question was unsuccessful by a small majority,
Mr.. Bailey, OF Charlestown, and others urging
that by general consent Saturday was set apart
as a field day for buncHmbe speeches. The
gentleman who showed his unfamiliar
ity with public oratory, and spoke
with more feeling than reason, with a trembling
voice and watery eye dweltupon the great value
to the public of the services of the sailor and of
his life of suffering and privation. II is under
stood that he has Il son on board a vessel over
due, and which it is thought was wrecked in
recent ptiless storm. The speaking was CON
tinued at great length. Mr.. Kimbal thought
we had arrived at pretty pass if, as was limited
by some speakers, it was improper to memorial
ize congress- Mr.. Thompson claimed that what
the sailors needed was not legislative aid, and
that their reduced circumstances was owing to
the stasnaton of oar marine interests. The
resolution was adopted by very large vote.
Not much ny note was done, except
perhaps the rejection Of the bill reported by the
prison committee giving the prison commission.
ers control Of the fare in all our penal institu-
tons. The house thought this was interfering
quite too much with the management of these
institutions.
The bill to incorporate the Highland street
railway company of Boston, which was
introduced in the house by Mr.. Hobbs
of Uxbridge, was not reached. As this
road, if chartered, is to have permits
sioni TO use the tracks of the Metropolitan
railroad, there is lively Boston interest in the
question. The liberty of the citizens has been
pleaded in many causes, but seldom for a uueerer
purpose than to defeat the bill to provide for the
inspection of pot and pearl ashes, which was
laid on the table in the senate to-day. This is
one OF the offspring of that superogatory COM
mittee on commissioncrshps, which, instead of
cutting down the number Of state officials
as was expected by some at least
when it was appointed, has devoted IFS
attention to the creation of new ones. There
Is one question, that of the regulation of the sale
of liquors, TO which the committee might, under
their Instructions, give their attention with rood
results. They are expected TO look after NAT.
tiers which have the effect to increase taxation
and rum, every one knows is the prime cause of
heavy taxes. 1t is understood the able chair.
man, MIR. ElV has some practical vin,re a., Az,