Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-15
From the State House.
Temperance LegisInfiOn-Thc Barre and
Gardner Road All Right Again.

BOsToN, Feb. "A, 1872.
Both branches of the legislature have been
INDUCING to-day in the peculiar discussions
which always ensue when the liquor question is
brought up. 1t has come to be the rule for the
subject to be treated from humorous stand
point by gentlemen on both sides of the
question, and jokes are consequently in order
whenever the thing is under consideration. The
disposition to tinker the present liquor law was
manifested early in the session. The committee
on the liquor law having reported against bill
offered by the committee on commissionerships
to abolish the state liquor commissionship, re-
ported two bills, one repeating the " beer
clause" and the other providing that
druggists who sell to other druggists shall
keep accounts of their sales. The latter bill
reached the house to-day and during its discus
sion the house resolved itself into a sort of
apothecaries' committee of the whole The de-
bate developed the fact that the druggists are
well represented on the floor of the house, ard
Of course they opposed an amendment offered
by Mr.. Wins;ow Of Newton, TO compel druggists
to purchase their liquors Of the state liquor
commissioner. The principal point on which a
difference of opinion was developed was the
price of good whiskey. The bill was finally laid
on the table. While the house was enjoying it.
self in this eXhilarating fashion the senate was
engaged in the jocose business of adopting the
olllilo abolish the beer clause and make us all
take our cold water Straight" again. Mr. Tar
box spent a good deal Of breath useIessly in adj.
yocating amendments; one of which was to
punish persons purchasing liquors of sellers who
do an illegal business. The senate gave him but
four votes. Il is hardly probable that this bill
will get through the house.
The speaker announced this afternoon tht
committee on the part of the house TO redistric
the state. Mr.. Klmball Of Boston was nance
at the head, and among tue other twelve mem
bers were Ross Of Holden and Loring of Fitch
burg. Orders were adopted instructing the com
mittee on education to consider the expedency
Of a uniform system of school books fol
the public schools, instructing the committe,
on prisons TO see what is the matter, if any
thing, with the state prison, and whether any
legislation is necessary to reform it. The com
mt'ee was given power to send for persons ant
papers. This order came, curionsly enough
immediately after visit made by the commit
tee on prisons and the governor and council to
Charlestown, this forenoon. The committee on
horse railroads were instructed to INQUIRE
whether 1t is necessary TO amend the law relat.
ing to the keeping Of streets open by the horse
railroads. The bill TO incorporate the Uollis,on
savings bank was passed toa third reading. after
some opposition; also, the bills to authorize tho
town of Everett TO raise additional funds N
complete their water works, aud to furnish pub
lie documents to the law institute of Chicago
The committee on elections sent in a majority apt
minority report on the question of the contest
cd seat of the representative of the third EsseS
district, MIR. Murphy. -Four members reportef
in his favor and three recommended a new cleo
ton, on account Of the destruction of the hal
lots so that a recount could not be made. Tn,
committee on banks and banking reported
charter for the West Stockbridge savings bank
Bills were introduced to revive the charter o
the Wakefield, Melrose and Maiden railroat
company and to incorporate the Boston assoca
ton Of Spirituallsts.
The house has very properly and natural
insisted upon its amendments TO the genera
railroad bill, the vote following the motion Il
that effect made by Mr.. Phillips Of Salem thi