The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-02
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURES.
Benators ana Representatives Making and
Amending State Laws.

Senators and Representatives Making ana
Amending state Laws.
BEACON HILL, March 2..-The most
startling piece of news under the gilded
dome yesterday was the well authenti
Gated report that the Boston q Maine and
Boston, Concord and Montreal railroads
have harmonized their differences, and
that bill TO authorize their consolida-
tion will be introduced in the Senate to-
day, by Mr.. Raymond of Middlssex, chair
man OF the railroad COMMITTEES. The re-
port was Sdmitted to DC true by Sena-
tor Raymond himself.
County Account Matters.
Col. Il. p. Loring sent in his annual re-
port as controller OF county accounts.
lie recommends that in case OF the defal-
cation or absconding OF county treas
urer, the county commissioners, or some
other officer be authorized 10 take sum
mary posyession OF the Office, books and
papers OF such delinquent treasurer and
hold them until new appointment can
be made or until any question or charge
OF dishonesty or defalcation can be inves-
tigated. Franklin county will lose moth
ing by the defalcation OF its late treas
urer. The deficiency has been made good
within s2200 and the county has some
pledge of the bondsmen for the amount at
an early day. Col. Loring renews the rec
concentrations OF last year relating TO
naturalization. He censures the hamp-
den county practice OF county commits
sioners furnishing supplies to the county.
The Free Pass Bin.
In the batch of bills which came in for
enactment at the opening of the session
was the free pass bill. Mr.. Blodgett of
the committee on engrossed bills, moved
TO amend SO that "judge" should read
"justice."
The motion was voted down by "A large
majority. Then Mr.. Howard OF West
Bridgewater moved TO strike out the
enacting clause of the bill.
BY large vote and without count
the amendment was lost and the bill was
enacted.
In the Senate.
The public service committee reported
against more pay for Judge Conant OF the
Franklin county probate court.
The committee on mercantile affairs re-
ported bill authorizing the Massachu-.
getts Medical Benevolent society to hold
Sl50,000 worth of property
Mr.. Thayer moved TO recommit the bill
for the abolition of private grade cross
ngs in Newton, with instructions Tor
general law for the abolition of private
grade crossings.
The motion TO recommit failed, TO ia,
and the bill was engrossed.
Pending hearings before other commit
tees, the report of the judiciary commit
tee against licenses for shipping masters
was tabled, on motion of Mr.. Howard.
Business in the House.
The judiciary committee reported bill
to permit the supreme court, sitting in
any county, to have jurisdiction of any
case which may arise in another county.
Ought to pass was reported by the fl
nance committee in the bill to raise the
salaries of the justices OF the supreme
court.
The street railway committee reported
a bill to authorize the Fitchburg street
railway company to extend IT'S tracks anu
to buy the Leominster street railway
company and to change the name of the
former corporation. The capital stock
may be increased to S250,000.
Inexpedient was reported by the COM
mittee on manufactures on imposing a
penalty on gas companies for not comply
ing with the laws relating to returns; on
making more complete returns; on per-
hitting one vote to be sufficient in Bos-
ton on accepting the general municipal
lighting law.
Mr.. Parkhurst OF Clinton made strong
effort to introduce a bill to prevent walk
ing on railroad tracks. He was specially
opposed by Messrs. Moriarty and Mellen
OF Worcester, who urged that the bill
was unjust to the public and impossible
of enforcement. BY 80 to 10l the House
refused to admit the bill and accepted the
adverse report OF the committee.