Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-01-16

the state in the construction of a Cape
Cod canal the federal government to
furnish the material, and the state gov
eminent to furnish the labor. This would
mean the construction of the canal at
a ridiculously low figure compared with
the cost to any private corporation.
There would be no hesitation about the
commencement of the work if the en-
terprise had the joint backing of the
state and federal governments. 1t is a
subject of greatest Importance and will
doubtless receive careful consideration
by the committees having the matter in
charge, as well as by the members of
the legislature.
Boston, with it's multifarious interests,
will occupy the attention of the legisla-
ture quite as much as usual. Jerry
Mccarthy, who returns as a republican
year after year from a ward with a
normal democratic majority of 400, has
introduced his bill for the election of al
dermen in the city of Boston, and there
will be a scramble over this before any
action is taken. There is more interest
taken in the proposed legislation this
year, because of the deadlock in the
board which results from the election OF
six republicans and six democrats to a
board composed of IL members. Mr..
McCarthy's bill provides for the nomina-
election at large, according to the sys-
tenn of minority representation now OBJ
tanning in Boston. If Mr.. Mccarthy s
bill becomes a law each party will nomi-
nate II candidates. but the voters will
be allowed to cast their ballots but for
seven. This will do away, it is hoped,
with the pernicious practice resorted to
by the managers Of both parties, of
nominating but seven candidates for the
board.
The residents of the Back Bay dis
trict have also asked for relief from sky
scrapers in the vicinity of Copley
square. A bill has been introduced that
prohibits the erection of buildings in or
near Copley square which are more than
80 feet in height above the sidewalk.
Copley square is the most beautiful
square in the great city. Trinity
Church, the new public library the Art
Museum, the new Old South Church are
among the buildings that lend their
architectural beauty to the general
beauty Of the location, and those inter-
ested in the proposed legislation don't
want this beauty disturbed by any more
sky scrapers. There is a feeling, how
ever, that the relief asked for can be
obtained through city ordinances, and,
on this account, there may be objection
for Col. Benton's bill.
The friends Of the Lancaster elevated
railroad have introduced their bill,
which is now familiar to the older mem
bers of both branches. There is little
hope for the serious consideration Of the
measure, as the ground is pre-empted
by the Boston elevated, which will be
given all the chance possible to carry
out their intentions, without interior
ence from rival companies
1t isn't often that the members OF
the legislature kick at the states allow
ance for mileage. But there occasion
ally is an instance where a member has
to spend more money to get to and
from the state house than he is al
lowed by the commonwealth. Repre-
sentative Parker of Lancaster is al
lowed $50 for mileage, but it costs him
1872 to pay for his railroad fares during
the session, SO he is behind the game
to the extent of 81. The state allows
each representative 81 mile one way
for travelling expenses. No division is
made of FIVE miles. In this way the
members from Worcester, being "A miles
from Boston, are allowed mileage on As
miles, receiving 800. They get their
transportation for $64 at the most, for
two quarterly tickets come to this
amount. So the members from Worces-
ter make few dollars on mileage
But the fault IN Representative Far
ker's case is not with the state, but
rather with the combination of circum-
stances which compels him to travel on
two lines of railroad in order to reach
his home. He has to go to Aver juno
ton on the Fitchburg, and thence to
Clinton by the Worcester and Nashua
division of the Boston and Maine, and
then to Lancaster by street car. He is
unable to get the same advantage of
Communication tickets that the men OBJ
tain who live on one line of road. The
Springfield members make a little
money on their mileage. They receive
5000, but it costs them only about $11S
for two quarterly tickets, # they choose
to ride back and forth each day. But
few of them do this, however, and spend
more by living at the Adams House
than they receive in mileage.