Worcester Daily Spy

Massachusetts Legislature.

Friday, March 5.

Senate.

The Committee on the Militia reported that it is inexpedient to legislate on the recommendations of the Governor's address as to the militia.

A bill giving to the city of Boston authority to raise the dam of Lake Cochituate was substituted for the report leave to withdraw.

The bill to change the name of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society was recommitted with instructions to hear the parties further.

The House refused to print the memorial of certain colored citizens of Boston, protesting against the Dred Scott decision and suggesting retaliatory legislation.

House.

The Committee on Claims reported a resolve appropriating $3500 to William H. Ela, for injuries sustained during the rendition of Anthony Burns.

The bill to allow the President and Fellows of Harvard College to resign the trusts concerning theological education and the maintenance of a theological school, was passed to a third reading without debate.

Saturday, March 6.

Senate.

A bill amendatory of the militia laws, was reported by Mr. Haynes of Middlesex. It provides that the roll of the several companies at encampments shall be called under the supervision of an officer of the staff; that no man shall receive pay for camp duty unless he shall have been on duty every day of the encampment or been excused on account of sickness; provides that the Adjutant General shall determine the amount to be paid to towns and cities for armories within the limits of existing laws; that when any company shall appear from any returns made to the Adjutant General to be reduced below thirty-two privates it may be disbanded; that no new company shall elect officers unless fifty men shall have been enlisted therein; the aggregate volunteer force of the State is limited to 5000 officers and men; and the number of officers and men returned for bounty is limited. Read once and referred.

The Senate refused (11 to 15) to reconsider the vote whereby it rejected the bill to incorporate the town of Belmont, and accepted the report of the committee giving the petitioners leave to withdraw. Adjourned.

House.

A bill was reported abolishing the office of Insurance Commissioners, and conferring their duties on a State Actuary, to be appointed by the Governor and Council, with a salary of $1800 per year, and $500 for a clerk.

The Committee on Charitable Institutions averred, in a report, that at the State Almshouse in Monson, clergymen of the Catholic faith were not allowed to communicate with the inmates on religious matters.

The Banking Committee were ordered to consider the expediency of repealing so much of the act of 1854, chapter 309, as provides that no distinction between bills of five dollars and upwards, and smaller bills, shall be required in the returns made by the banks of the Commonwealth.

The Judiciary Committee reported a bill to establish a police court in Gloucester.

The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred the Senate bill, entitled an act to repeal an act concerning notes payable on demand, reported the bill in a new draft as follows:

Section 1. The first section of the 121st chapter of the acts of the year 1839 is hereby amended, by adding thereto the following words, to wit: "provided that no matter that has arisen after the notice of the endorsement or transfer of such note has been given to the promisor shall constitute a defense thereto."

Sec. 2. The 192d chapter of the acts of the year 1857 is hereby repealed.

The bill concerning depositions in criminal cases was amended, and laid on the table and ordered to be printed.

Other bills in the orders of the day were advanced one stage. Adjourned.