The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-15
IN THE OLD BAY STATE.
Massachusetts SoIons Considering
Appointment Of Commission
For the Purpose OF Taking the Liquor
Question Out OF Politics-Other
Matters Discussed.

BosToN, March i5.-Ons Of the most
important measures that is occupying
public attention Is one for the establish
ment Of state commission on license for
the purpose Of taking the liquor question
out of politics.
The committee having charge of this
matter gave public hearing and met to
discuss and vote rs to whether or not
favorable report should be presented to
the Legislature. The vote stood fve to
five, with Mr.. Buck absent. It was de-
cided to adjourn until all the members OF
the committee should be present. In the
meantime the Massachusetts, Progress
club, an organization having branches In
20 cities and towns in the com N monwealth.
are circulating petitions favoring the
commission, aud IL In expected that fully
10000 names will be subscribed before
the committee meets again.
Women were granted extraordinary
privileges by the house. They have now
only to capture the senate and then secure
the governors signature to be privileged
tovote for mayor, aldermen, councilman
and school committee, and on the ques-
tion of license at the next municipal cleo
tions in the cities Of the com m onwealth.
The senate judiciary committee re-
ported ought not to pass on the bill re-
quiring the stat. and cities Of over 30, COO
population to pay laborers S. a.day for
nine hours work. 1t was further stipu-
lated that only citizens be employed upon
state or municipal work. i
Leave to withdraw was reported on the
petition of the mayor of Waltham for
legislation creating y board of five ceme-
terry commissioners to have charge of the
public cemeteries of that city.
An adverse report was made on the bill
TO increase the salaries of the Boston
board of aldermen from $500 to $1,000 an
nually.
Ought not to pass was reported on the
bill establishing the standing as a recog-
nized political party of any party which
has or shall for 10 consecutive years cast
1000 or more votes for its candidate for
governor; also that any political party
which shall increase as rapidly as to poll
at least per cent of the total vote for
governor before the expiration of 10 years
shall be recognized in the same manner.
Adverse reports were made to the house
by committees on the following petitions
and bills; Petition for legislation requir-
ing conditional sales Of personal property
TO be recorded and protecting the rights
of vendee In such sales: petition for an
extension of the duties of medical ex-
aminers; petition for repeal Of existing
laws in regard TO proceedings before
grand juries petition of the Newburyport
Veteran Artillery association to be ex-
empt from jury duty; petition For legisla-
tion giving the supreme ldicial court au-
thority TO determine the ownership OF
5000 600 worth of bonds in the hands of
the state treasurer, deposited by the Cape
Cod Ship Canal company and claimed by
Quincy A. Shaw; petition that women
may be sppoiited special commissioners;
petition that Justices and special justices
may take Acknowledgements of deeds and
solemnize marriages; petition TO prevent
the exhibition of prizefahts; bill prohibit
ing circulation of petitions relating to
labor legislation in factories and work
shops; bill to compel sleeping car. com
panies to close the upper berth when not
sold; bill providing that the tax on the
property and franchise Of street railway
companies shall be received directly by
the cities and towns where the railways
are operated; bill imposing. a tax on leg
acies and SUGGESTIONS.