The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-01
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE.
Senators and Representatives Making and
Amending State Laws.

Amending State Laws.
BEACON HILL, March 1.-The Senate
had little taste, yesterday, of the debate
that may be looked for if any attempt is
made to change the grade crossing law of
1890.
1t came about through the bill in re-
gard TO the abolition OF grade crossings
OF Newton which called out an inquiry
from Mr.. Thayer as to why the legislation
could not be made applicable to the whole
state. lie was sure there was need of IL,
especially in Worcester.
Mr.. Raymond, chairman OF the Rail-
road Committee, said IL had been thought
best not TO attempt 10 amend the law OF
1890, since there were but few crossings,
private and those not at grade-of the
kind covered by the bill. The grade
crossings at Newton cannot be abolished
under the present law, and as the neces-
sity there for such abolition is so impera-
tive, he hoped the bin would not be de-
layed.
Mr.. Gilman supported Mr.. Raymond
and dwelt upon the need of immediate
action.
Mr.. Thayer moved to amend so as to
make the bill general instead OF special,
but as there was some difficulty in draft
ing the necessary amendments, he then
moved to postpone the bill until today,
which was done.
Limiting Taxation In Towns.
Mr.. Bennett OF Everett challenged the
bill to limit to s12 the rate OF taxation in
towns. Mr.. Kinds OF Webster, for the
taxation committee, said no one appeared
TO oppose the bill, that the committee
thought there was merit in it and that
the House could put it in better shape
than the committee could; so they re-
ported it as it was.
The bill was rejected by an almost
unanimous vote.
Protecting the Horses.
On the bill for the protection OF horses
mutilsted by docking, Mr.. Sprague of
Boston moved an amendment to substi-
tute the term ''short tailed horses" for
"mutilated by docking" and it was car
ried. Mr.. Barrett of Concord moved q
further amendment, that any man hav-
ing docked horse in his possession after
five years should be fined Sl00, his object
being to prevent the use of such horses
altogether. He was voted down, Al to 81.
Mr.. Warren of Boston moved to recon
slider Mr.. Spragues amendment, for it
ruined the bill, and 10 was better TO kill
it outright than indirectly. Mr.. Sprague
confessed that his amendment was offered
solely in spirit of ridicule. BY an al
most unanimous vote the House recon
sidered the Sprague amendment, refused
TO adopt it and passed the bill TO be en-
crossed.
Business in the House.
The committee on agriculture reported
bill to allow the members of the state
dairy bureau S. day and travelling ex-
penses for actual service.
Mr. Casey OF Boston had postponed to
Friday the bill to prohibit the manufac-
ture and sale of cigarettes and cigarette
tobacco. This action was on account OF
the absence of Mr.. Clayton Of Cambridge,
author of the bill.
Mr.. Chance of Boston had tabled the
adverse report on the petition of George
Dutton and others for a repeal of the
compulsory vaccination law.
Business in the Senate.
The Judiciary committee reported bill
providing that vacancies in boards of
county commissioners may be filled by
the other commissioners and the clerk of
the courts, or majority of them, and
that such vacancies shall be filed at the
following November election.
The judiciary committee reported ad-
versely on legislation to prevent the dis
tribution of circulars as to private diseas-
es; on the petition OF +. y. ingalls, and
other officers of the municipal court OF
Boston that sick officers shall serve dur
ing pleasure of the court and give bonds.
On the petition OF Il. p. Stanwood for
the better enforcement OF the law as to
returns of deaths and births; on the pc
tition of John r. O'Sullivan that the
shipping masters may be licensed; on
the petition of the New England Chau-
tauqua Sunday School Assembly for leg
islation to enable it to carry out its rules
and regulations.
On motion of Mr.. Butler, the Senate
tabled the House resolve continuing three
months the office of commissioner in
public records of parishes, towns and
counties.
The Senate refused TO admit the petit
tion OF w. p. Getchell and others for Leg
islation giving railroad employees the
right TO vote at any polling place.
The report OF the State Board of Arbi-
tration was sent to the committee on la
bor.