Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-01-28

petition for legislation to place the
| salaries and other expenses in the de-
| partment of the Massachusetts, highway
commission in the annual tax levy, in
order that these matters may be passed
upon annually by the ways and means
| committee.
The special report of the secretary of
the commonwealth relative to elections
was received and referred to the commit
| tee on election laws.
Mr.. Davis OF Cambridge introduced a
bill authorizing city and town authori-
ties to grant half holidays to city and
town employees.
Mr.. Estes of Brockton introduced a
bill for the sale of liquor for medicinal
purposes in no-license cities and towns
through commissions of three members.
Mr.. Joubert of Lawrence presented a
bill to provide that pianos shall be ex-
empt from taxation, such instruments
in family use, and not those kept for
sale.
Mr.. McManus of Boston introduced a
bill for the appointment of board Of
excise commissioners for the city Of Bos-
ton. The board is to comprise six mem
bers, three from each of the two leading
political parties, the governor, who ap-
points the members, to designate the
chairman, and two members shall con-
stitute a quorum.
The committee on agriculture report
ed two bills, appropriating $4,000 each,
one for the work Of exterminating the
gypsy moth and the other for the sup
preston of contagious diseases among
horses and cattle
There was a light discussion over the
bill making appropriations for the sal
aries and expenses of the harbor and
land commissioners. The bone of con-
tention was the recommendation of the
ways and means committee that the
item for work on retaining the prov
ince lands be reduced from $4,000 to $1,000
This recommendation was supported by
Mr.. Parsons of Greenfield and Mr. Clark
of Wellesley. Mr. Hall of Dennis and
Mr.. Ross of Boston offered amend
ments to make the item $4,000 and $500
respectively. Mr.. Newton OF Everett
spoke for generous appropriation. The
Ross amendment was defeated, the Hall
amendment accepted, SO to IS. and the
bill as amended ordered to a third read
ing.
The commissioners ON military boun-
ties sent in a report, questioning the de-
cision of the attorney general on the
matter OF bounties and requesting the
legislature to more clearly define their
duties in the matter. Referred to the
committee on military affairs
IL
The railroad commissioners gave a
hearing this morning on the petition of
the Boston Terminal Company for au-
thority to issue 100000 additional ter
minal bonds. There was no opposition.
The company has already issued SO, 0O0,-
900 in bonds
The fact was brought out during the
hearing that the total cost of the ter
minal station will be about $12, 100000, OF
which the city viii pay something more
than $1,500000, and of which more than
half is for the land taken for the sta
ton, approaches and the changes in
streets which are made necessary by the
station construction.
Samuel Hoar, counsel for the Boston
| Terminal Company, read the petition
and stated that If the issue was au,
thorized the Terminal company would
put on the market SO, 900, 900 Of 50-yeai
currency bonds bearing interest at 81!
per cent. The issue is to be in addition
to the original stock issue of SO, a0a, 0O0
That issue has been secured by mort
gage on the property of the company
made to the Old Colony Trust Company
OF this original issue the Ternina
Company has expended $S,235, 900, Of
which $685. 900 was for land, and 1920
600 for construction. The company has
on hand 81, 265 900. Contracts have beer
made which will require an additional
expenditure of 50, 900, and there are
in sight contracts yet to be executed
which it is estimated will amount tt
1928, 400 more.
A VALUABLE FLAG.
Gov. Wolcott has received from Secre-
tary John D. Long of the navy depart
ment, letter transmitting communi-
cation from Col. Amos Webster, pre-
senting to the state of Massachusetts, a
United States garrison flag which was
given Webster by Gen. U. s. Grant after
the surrender at Appomattox, about the
middle of April, 1865.
The flag has arrived at the state house
and is now in the office of Sergeant-at-
Arms Adams, a relic of the late civil
war.