Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-17
From the State House.
The Session Well Begun-SeveraI Conn
miiIees Heard From.

BosToN, JAN 16, 1872.
Early adioumments continue to be the strong
point of the legislature Of 1872. The members
understand when they have GOT through with
their business and go home. 1t is already evil
dent also that there is 4 real desire on the part
of the members TO push business through rap
idly. No legislature for several years has be-
gun so well. Delays may come by-andby, but
there is no manifestation of dilatoriness as vet.
1t is true that no subject of first class interest
has been reached. But progress was made to-
ward that point to-day. In the house the COM
mttee on state police promptly reported a bill
to give the governor and council control of the
tenure OF office of the commissioners of police,
thus partially meeting the suggestion in the
governors message. II is possible the legsla-
ture may do better still, and aboSgs6t he com
mission altogether. # wAso orsot,on of +be
i'S' ieS Si''" lid was then voted for with re
l'.0 =, II was supposed to meet the desires
u rT55v. Clal1n. The judiciary committee re-
.Iorted number of petitions, recommending Il
change of reference in several cases. On the
subject of limiting the amount of commission
paid by insurance companies, it was vor-
ed that it is "eXpedient 10 legislate"
The committee on manufactures reported in
f vor of granting the prayer of the Otis com
pany to in rease its capital stock to 81 200 ,000
and allow it TO hold real estate in Worcester,
Hampshire and Hampden counties. The com
mittee on probate and chancery was asked to
see what can he done about FINISHING rooms in
all the towns where probate courts are held,
for the use of the judges Among the petitions
were a plant in behalf of woman suffrage, from
lorty-nine citizens Of Mendon, with the Rev
George F. Clarke at the head. John W. Foye, a
Boston coroner, wants the conduct OF the Sui
folk county cOroners, who have been accused of
various Weaknesses, investigated by the gem
eral court. A number of good-intenlione1 cit
liens OF Sharon, who apparently have unlim.
tied faith in the powers of the legislature, want
all bridges over railroads sufficiently high sohhat
Il six-looter OF brakeman need not knock his
head against the timbers while walking on the
cars.
In the senate the petition ofthe Worcester free
public library for the exemption of its bank
stock from taxation was presented. Mr.. Thayer
introduced on leave bill to authorize the city
of Worcester to fund its floating debt and
issue additional sewer and WAFER bonds. There
was brief debate on the tenure of Office OF
overseers Of the poor and this was all. About
a dozen of the committees were in session this
morning. The railroad commissioners again
appeared before the railway com mttee to advo
cate general railroad law. The committee on
state police held their first meeting in their old
quarters the in green-room, and organized by
choosing Mr.. Stanwood of Boston as secretary
rhe committee on education had a singular case
before it this morning. Some of the intelligent
ci liens Of Winthrop, town only five miles
from the "hub," earnestly ask the legislature to
take some action to prevent incompetent per
sens from serving on school committees. 1t
appears that education is regarded in the light OF
disqualification for Office in the benighted town
Of Winthrop, and only illiterate men are al
lowed TO serve on the school committee. No
such thing as an examination of teacher to
see if he is qualified has been known there. and
the cause of education is in a very sad way. A
suggestion from one OF the legislative committee
that woman suffrage would remedy the evil was
admitted by one of the petitioners. Annexation
to Boston would give some character to the
schools of Winthrop.