Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-03-19

said there was only one question to con-
slider. That was whether the state was
willing to pay $4,000 for arms for the
artillery, when if there was a war she
would get them from the national gov
eminent for nothing. He admitted that
the arms Of the artillery at the present
were not up to the standard, and that
new guns were needed, but the question
was one of cost. The commonwealth
would do well to wait and see if war
was declared, for a few weeks at least,
and find out If she was going to get the
guns for nothing. If there was no war,
then the state might do well to buy her
own guns
All the bills to increase the salaries of
clerks and Judges Of police courts, pend
ing in the legislature, have hit serious
snag in the senate committee on ways
and means. 1t seems that the senate
has passed a bill recommended by the
committee on public service authoriz-
ing the clerks Of police courts to keep
certain records and tabulate statistics
of the business of the office, and report
to the next legislature with view to
furnishing the great and general court
with basis for equalizing the salaries
of these officials throughout the state.
Now it appears that the Clerks Asso-
citation has just sent out a printed cir
cular. from President Churchill, calling
on clerks of courts and judges to see
their representatives before a certain
date and accomplish the defeat OF the
bill. which is now in the house, having
been deposited on the table in that body
by some enthusiastic friend Of the
clerks.
There is a good deal of indignation
felt among the members at this high
handed proceeding Of the clerks and
Judges, and copies of the offending cir
cular are being passed around among
the senators for inspection. 1t is limited
that if the clerks are successful in de-
feating the statistics bill the senate will
defeat all the salary bills pending or to
come this year.
Gov. Wolcott had conference this
morning with Assistant Attorney Gene
raj Travis on the Boston and Maine
stock purchase bill. 1t is not probable
that he will act on the disposition Of the
bill today.
IN THE HOUSE.
The committee on metropolitan af-
fairs reported bill for the establish
ment of a board of estimate and appor-
tionment for the city Of Boston. The
board is to include the mayor, the chair
man Of the board Of aldermen and the
president of the common council Eek
offlcio. serving without additional pay,
and two members elected by the voters
at large, to serve at a maximum salary
of $3.50 a year $50 day for actual SER
vice to this amount, and for terms OF
two years, one member being elected for
a single year at the creation of the
board. This board is to take the depart
ment estimates from the mayor each
year in January, and draft the annual
appropriation order, which shall be sub
mitted within three days after drafting,
to the city council. The council has the
right to reduce or strike out appropria-
lions, except those for interest or sink
ing fund requirements, or those whose
amounts are fixed by law, but there is
no right for the council to increase or
add new appropriations. After the eX-
piration of 80 days after submission to
the city council, the appropriations as
submitted by the board of estimate ana
altered by the council, stand as the ap-
preparation orders for the year and take
effect.
The committee on counties reported
bill for the establishment of sinking
funds for the county of Hampden. The
county commissioners are made the
sinking fund commissioners, ex-otficio,
and all securities for such loans and in
yestments shall be made to them as said
sinking fund commissioners. The county
treasurer is to act as treasurer of the
sinking funds, but neither the treas
urer nor the commissioners are to re-
ceive any additional compensation for
their services.
The committee on fisheries and game
reported a bill to provide a close season
for duck shooting, to commence March
/ instead of April 10, and closing at the
usual time September !.
The committee on the judiciary repor-
ted adversely on the bill relative to de-
murrer in the superior court.
The bill for electrocution as the meth