The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-16
BAY STATE LEGISLATURE.
The Unemployed - Committee Reports
Concerning the Right of Petition.

Concerning the Right OF Petition.
BosToN. Feb. l6.--It was dull day
at the state house. There were many
hearings assigned upon various topics,
few OF them Of superlative interest, how
ever, and all were delayed from half
hour TO an hour and half through lack
of a quorum
Regarding the bill making April 10
holiday, Mr.. kneil moved q substitute
bill for the establishment of "Puritans'
day" on the first Thursday of April as
legal holiday, portion of the preceding
day to be devoted in the public schools to
exercises relating to the history purposes
or principles OF those who settled and
founded the commonwealth.
In the senate the following order was
referred to the committee on rules:
THAT the joint committee on labor be
requested to confer with the governor,
the council, the several boards and com
missioners having in charge the erection
of public buildings and other public
works, and mayors of the several cities
and selectmen of towns, relative to the
condition OF the number or the unem-
ployed in the commonwealth and also the
condition of the public works in process
of construction and in contemplation in
the commonwealth, and report its finding
and recommendations to the legislature
forthwith. 10 the end that such action
may be taken i'm the premises as the legis-
lature may deem proper for the relief OF
the unemployed in the commonwealth.
Said committee is authorized TO employ
stenographer, compel the attendance OF
witnesses and the production of docu-
ments and papers and TO do all other
things necessary to carry on the purposes
of this order"
The house committee on manufactures
reported leave to withdraw on the petition
for the amendment of the law relative to
the opening of streets for the purpose of
laying gaspipes.
Leave 90 withdraw was reported by the
committee on street railways on the petit
tion for the Incorporation of the Natick,
Newton and Boston Street Railway COM
pany.
An order was adopted that for period
of two weeks, beginning Feb. 10, when
the senate is in session at $3.50 p. M, the
president shall declare adjournment.
On the question Of sending to the next
general court large number OF petitions
which had been filed without bills, being
also filed within the time required un-
der the rules, Mr.. Bennett said IL was con-
sidered doubtful whether the legislature
had constitutional right to curtail in
this manner the right of petition. Mr..
Bliss took the same view, and said that
the legislature had no right TO thus
abridge the right Of petition, which had
existed since the time of Charles III. Many
members took part in the debate which
followed
The petition Of Mr.. Bullock for a re-
registration ot iur so,ers of the common
wealth. was one OF the petitions. aud Mr..
Bennet moved that the rule be suspended
and the petition admitted. The motion
was lost.
In the matter OF the petition OF the
South Hadley Cemetery association for a
change Of name. Mr.. Bliss moved a sus
pension of the rule TO admit the petition.
Mr.. Myers said that II the contention OF
the opponents of thF rule Is sound, then
the legislature can be kept In session ~
long az there is any one who chooses TO
present petition, and might never be
able to adjourn. Mr. Bliss motion was
lost.
A rrtttiou was presented for the iucor-
poration Of the Drawbaugh Telephone
and Telegraph company, with capital
not less than sl 900. 600 nor more than fio,-
100000. The legislature is asked TO en-
power the company TO carry on general
telephone business.