Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-07-29
Record Broken
By Legislature
LONGEST SESSION EVER HELD IN
MASSACHUSETTS.
rs vEToEs BY THE GOVERNOR
Nine Measures Passed Over Veto Of
Executive-$s,o 100000 for New Docks
at Boston-Much Labor Legislation.

Boston July 28.-When the 1890 ses-
sion of the great and general court Of
Massachusetts was prorogued at seven
O'Clock tonight all records for execu-
tive and legislative activity on Beacon
hill had been broken
Session of 207 Legislative Days.
From January 4, when the outgoing
republican governor. Eben S. Draper,
administered the oath TO the $50 mem
bers of the two branches. followed the
next day by the Inauguration of the
new democratic governor, Eugene n.
Foss, until this afternoon, when Sec
retary of State Langtry proclaimed
prorogation, there were 207 legislative
days, or one more than the session of
1888 when Benjamin F. Butler, another
democrat, was governor.
25 vetoes by Governor.
The session of 1911, like that Of 1883,
was principally joint debate between
the governor and the legislature. and
here again new records were sstab
ished. The legislature sent 972 acts
and resolves to the executive branch,
while the governor signed 914, return
ed 25 without his approval and al
lowed to become law without his Sig
nature 33 others.
Nine Measures Passed Over vets.
In addition to the 25 vetoes,' Govern
or F'oss sent IS messages to the leg
islature, far exceeding any Of his
predecessors in that respect. Nearly
all of these suggestions were turned
down and in addition the legislature
passed nine measures over the govern
or's veto, another record.
Much Labor Legislation.
Despite the long controversy between
the two branches of the government,
they joined in placing many import
ant acts on the statute books. Labor
was especially favored this year in
Massachusetts, with the adoption of
workingmen's compensation act and
the passage of a 54-hour bill for wo-
men and minors, an eight-hour bill fof
public employees and the trial by Juri
in contempt cases.
Statewide Direct Primary.
One of the most important acts wa
that providing for statewide direct
primary in all elections, except thosf
of presidential electors. This act VII
have it's first trial on September 70.
Four New Subways in eoston.
Many transportation problems were
| tackled and those that went through
provided for four new subways In
Boston, extending the lease OF the
West End street railway 10 the Eos
ton elevated railroad. offering further
encouragement to the building Of the
Boston & Eastern railroad from Bev-
erly to Boston, and consolidating the
Boston & Northern and Old Colony
street railways, which operate nearly
all the electric trolley lines outside
Boston within a radius of 30 miles.
SO 90Oo, 600 for New Docks in Boston.
An appropriation Of ss.0oo,s0o was
made for new docks IN Boston harbor.
The corrupt practices act was extend
ed and the legislature raised its own
individual salary over the governor 3
veto from $3.50 to $1,000.
Woman's Suffrage Beaten.
Among the important measures that
failed were the federal income tax.
which was defeated for the second
time, woman's suffrage. biennial cleo
tions. peaceful picketing in labor diff
cuIties and proposition to connect
south sides of the harbor with tun-
mel