Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-01
From the State House.
The CunaFd Bounty Bill EnsrOssed-A
Host of New ESilIs-NO Reform ia the
Divorce Laws-FinauciaI.
Bosrox, March 80. 1872.

BosToN, March 80, 1872.
Aside from the catalogue of new bills which
the committee poured in on their last day of
grace, except in some cases where few days
more time was granted, the record of the ses-
sions of to-day will not occupy much space on
the clerks files Mr. Ely, from the joint SPECIAL
committee on state commissiouershiDs. alone
reported seventeen bills, 10 Tie astonisbment of
some of the legislators, who were not
aware how busy their extra committee
have been, CT rather the house chairman
Ct it has been. These bills relate 10
great variety of matters, such as the sale of
liquor, the fares aud freights on railroads, the
state finances, etc. Oae of the bills proposes
the abolition of the commissioners on prisons,
and several Of the other boards are affected by
the various bills. The speaker indicated pur-
pose to shut out some Of them if on investiga-
ton the committee shall seem to have exceeded
their powers. AS some committees have already
strained point, not keeping strictly wit hin the
limits of the subject matter of the orders or Pc
titions which they have reported, Mr.. Ely's re-
ports, if irregular, will not be the first ones
liable 10 this charge, so viii proba-
DiS DC duiliillets rs IHGIB Is Il CONF
prehensiye &c. on the title of the COM
mittee, Mr.. Ely claims jurisdiction over wide
field. The judiciary committee of the house
was also prolific, and submitted bills concerning
Imprisonment of witnesses, city sidewalks COM
pensaion for persons wrongfully arrested, and
the practice of pharmacy among others. The
committee on public charitable institutions re-
ported a resolve for the advance of 100000 to
the trustees of the state uDatic hospital in Wor-
cester, to allow them to erect the necessary
buildings on their new site, the money to be re.
funded from the proceeds Of the sale Of the land
at present occupied by the hospital.
The friends of the Cunard bounty bill, other
wise known as the "head money" and alien pas
senger bill, have expressed fear that it would be
opposed on its passage to be enacted. Usually,
after bill has passed to be engrossed there il
no further opposition, and the matter Of enact
ment is ratified Off by the speaker 10 an unre-
sponsive house. But this bill which has had its
ups and downs-rejected once and then accept
ed was to be an exception to the rule. Mr..
White of Plymouth tried to get the vote post
poned until next Tuesday, when there would be
a full house, but this the Boston members were
too shrewd to allow, knowing that when the
men who had gone home for Sunday should be
all back the risk of success would be great. The
postponement was refused, although Mr.. Ely
seconded the motion and the bill was passed to
be enacted by yea aud nay vote Of tO5 TO 50.
1t now goes 10 the governor. II will be remem-
bered Gov Clafin vetoed the bill last year.
Mr.. Phelps Of Springfield secured the substi-
tuition OF a bill in the matter Of allowing the
city Of Springfield to subscribe to the stock of
the Athol & Enfield railroad, which was sat
isiactory TO all parties 1t allows the city to
take 100000 Of stock in the road by three
lourths vote Il the citizens. The report of the
committee on railways that It was inexpedient
TO iegslate relative TO the rates of fare and
freight on railroads, was recommited at the
request of the chairman, aud with this report
was recommitted the petition of your citizens
lor cheaper coal ireghts, on which they had
given leave to withdraw. Among the adverse
reports was one Of the house judiciary com.
miltee against the wise and progressive hill
passed by the senate in relation TO divorce nisi
The senate got good share Of the new bus.
ness, although not nearly so much as the house
| The committee on agriculture reported bin IN
exempt from taxation all properly devoted TO
the manufacture Of beet sugar, for the encour.
agemeut Of that industry. Adyewereports were
made relative TO limiting.the amount OF property
of literary, charitable, and benevolent societies
exempted from taxation, and relative to con.
tracts for convict labor The consolidation of
the Fitchburg and Vermont and Massachusetts,
with the Troy and Greenfield aud other lines
goes over to the next geaeral court The Boston
water bill was amended SO as 10 require
the maintenance Of flow of 100000
gallons Of water a day In Sudbury
river, and the people Of Marlborough
were empowered to take water from the same
nyer Bills were engrossed to authorize the