Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-20
Extra Session of the Legislature.

BosToE, Nov. 49, 1872.
In accordance with the proclamation Of His
EXcellency Gov. Washburn, the two branches of
the legislature assembled for special business
at noon to day at the state house. Hon. H. II.
| Coolidge called the senate TO order most of the
members being present, and Hon. John Z. San
ford summoned the house of representatives to
business. After PRAYER in each branch, brief
addresses were made by the presiding officers
| touching on the particular business which had
| caused their assembling, and after messages had
| been interchauged between the two branches, a
| committee waited on the governor and lnformCd
him that a quorum Of both branches had assem-
bed, and soon afterward his excelleney, with
the lieutenant-governor and executive council
and many prominent citizens, came into the
| representatives hall, where the two branches
| had assembled in convention, and delivered the
the following address:
Gentlemen of the Senate and Of the House Of Repre-
When you left here last May you and supposed
that your work Legislators was finished. You
had patiently and oiscreely discharged your official
functions, and there was before a hopeful prom
lse for the commonwealth. / have called you to-
gether at this time with great reuctance-n conse-
quence of what would then have been deemed little
| less than an imposslbilty. The date at which the
next general court will constitutionally assemble is
so near at hand, that nothing but the most urgent
necessity could have induced me to ask you to again
| take up the burden of legislative duty Trusting
| that your knowledge of recent events will enable
you to recognize the force OF this necessity shall
| content myself with brief comment on the chief
| matters now demanding your consideration.
The hre which broke out in the heart of this city
the evening of the 9Th nst and in the course Of
| that night and the following day laid some sixty
of its finest business quarter in ruins brought
about condition of things which summons all
VII Th Haa4n1rs HI
| Boston Is the loss of the commonwealth. Our ties
are such that this calamity affects even those Of us
| We live IN the remotest parts of the state what
your honorable bodies can do to mitigate its sever
| ly doubt not you are ready to do with willing
alaerlty. The municipal government of the eity
| and large number Of Its most eminent business
men, think that few measures of immediate legis-
| ation are necessary. While the aggregate loss by
the ire Is very great, those who have suffered are
| CHEEKY and undaunted in spirit, and no peeuniary
| aid will be asked OF the state So far as / am in
| formed, or can learn, the universal sentiment of
those who reside or do business here IS that they
are abundanty able te meet the stress Of the time
| from the resources now at their command if they
can have the assent Of the state to such steps re-
| quire its sanction.
| II Is thought advisable that assurance of a loan
for term OF years, at moderate rate of interest
| should be given those who are unable to rebuild
without assistance. This would place a highly
meritorious class OF persons beyond the reach Of
those who might be disposed TO take advantage OF
| their misortunes. The mere fact that such loan
could be had would give them courage and conii-
dence. Those wnose manly energy and business
talent so largely made the burnt district such
wonderful centre of commercial honor and enter.
prise ought TO receive every reasonable indu,ement
TO remain here and devote their powers and experi-
ence to the re-estabishment OF what was swept
away by the flames II is of the greatest Importance
that the waste places should be recovered as soon
as possible with stores aud warehouses of the most
substantial kind, fully adapted to the requirements
Of large and widely extended trade. As a means
10 this end the city VIII ask authority to issue its
bonds, having not less than ten years TO run, and
bearing rate Of interest not exceeding five per
centum in gold, or six per centum III currency. II
the residents of Boston wish thus to use their mu
ncIpal credit, | see 10 conclusive reason why the
state should interpose an objection.
The destruction caused by the lire reduced con.
siderable number Of the insurance companies TO
state Of bankruptcy, and thus millions of dollars
worth Of property but lately well covered, are to.
day without any insurance whatever. The owners
OF TINS property largely prefer protection in home
fatner IMAM IN foreign tDces. Several Companies
undef Tue direction Of men IN whose integrity and
eapaclty the public has entire confidence aie ready
10 organize at once, If charters can be- obtained
with paid-up capital sufficient for any Ordinary
emergency IL Is desirable to keen this busine.s
within Our own state as far as may be praclicable
ana as no general insurance law Is on our statute
books, there seems no alternative but TO ask Tor
special legislation, should you still deem IL best 10
leave the general act tor the confederation OF YOUR