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Domestic News
January 14, 1829
The Massachusetts Spy, And Worcester County Advertiser
Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
Journal of the Massachusetts Legislature's sessions from January 7 to 12, 1829, in Boston. Covers opening of Senate and House, Governor's message, petitions on banks, agriculture, and ministerial funds, election of Senator Charles Train, committee appointments, and various orders on military, roads, and debtor laws.
Merged-components note: These two components form a continuous report on the state legislative proceedings from January 7 to January 12, 1829.
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LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL.
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1829.
The Legislature of this Commonwealth met in Boston this day.
SENATE. The President took the chair at 11 o'clock, and a quorum of the members being present, Messrs. Longley and Mattoon were appointed a committee to inform the Governor that the Senate was ready to receive any communication he might be disposed to make.
This committee shortly after reported that the Governor would make a communication by message forthwith. The Secretary soon after came in with a written message, accompanied by a variety of documents. The message was read, and ordered to be laid on the table.
A communication was received from the Adjutant General, containing a statement of the expenses of the Adjutant General and Quartermaster General's affairs for the last year, amounting to $4555.89.
A petition from the Middlesex Agricultural Society, praying for a renewal of the law making grants to agricultural societies, was committed.
A communication was received from the Secretary of State, containing a statement of the expenses of his office, amounting to $4647.67.
Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to lay before the Senate the returns from the Banks made in December last.
HOUSE. [Since the last session of the Legislature, (says the Boston Advertiser) the Representatives chamber has undergone some important alterations. The gallery, which formerly crossed the northern wall, and obstructed the passage of light from that quarter, is removed: the east and west galleries have been neatly fitted with desks: the semi-circular range of seats for the members has been reversed, and the Speaker's chair transferred from the south to the north side of the House: the whole interior has been newly painted, and presents a very cheerful appearance. The only material alteration which remains to be noticed, is the shifted position of the venerable looking cod fish, which has long been the prominent emblem of our Legislative Hall. Its nose formerly pointed towards the home of that great aquatic body which it honorably represents, and which has always been a source of revenue to a large portion of our society: but it now looks to the south-west, and turns its tail upon the members below.]
At 10 o'clock, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Wm. B. Calhoun, called the members to order. A committee was appointed to wait on His Excellency the Governor, and inform him that both branches of the Legislature were ready to proceed to business.
At half past 11, a message from the Governor was presented by Mr. Bangs, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and read by the Speaker.
Mr. Buckingham of B. presented the report of the committee for repairing the State House. Amount of expenditures, $1233.32, exceeding the sum appropriated for that purpose, $223.32.
Ordered, That the usual number of copies of the Governor's Message be printed, and that it be referred to a special Committee, to make the customary distribution of particular portions of it for consideration among the Standing Committees.
Petition of Inhabitants of West Boylston relating to Ministerial Funds, was referred to the Committee on Parishes.
THURSDAY, Jan. 8.
SENATE. The petition of the Trustees of the Ministerial Funds in Royalston was referred to the Committee on Parishes, in concurrence.
The petitions of Isaac Bassett and others, for a Bank in Lynn: of a Committee of the Subscribers to the Stock in the Central Bank in Worcester, for a renewal of their Charter, and for an increase of their capital stock, were referred to the Committee on Banks, in concurrence.
Order of the House, that the Committee on Banks and Banking, be directed to inquire if any practice has obtained among the Banks in this Commonwealth inconsistent with the legitimate principles of Banking, or injurious to the interests of the community, came up for concurrence: read and concurred.
The several subjects of the Governor's Message were referred to appropriate Committees.
HOUSE. Petitions of Pliny Merrick, and others, for a Bank at Worcester, referred to the Committee on Banks and Banking-of David Lee, and others, of Barre, for repeal of the law requiring the use of broad rimmed wheels, referred to Committee on Agriculture.
Ordered, That Thursday, 15th inst., at 12 o'clock, be assigned for the choice, on the part of this House, of a Senator in the Congress of the United States, in place of Hon Mr. Silsbee; that the Committee on Banks and Banking, be instructed to inquire whether any practice has obtained in the Banks in this Commonwealth inconsistent with the legitimate objects of Banking, or injurious to the community.
The several subjects of the Governor's Message were referred to appropriate Committees.
The Speaker then appointed the following Committees: On the State Prison-Messrs. Parker of Charlestown, Weston of Duxbury, Crosby of Leominster, Lowell of Boston, Greene of New Bedford. On the Claim of the United States-Messrs. Davis of Boston, Sibley of Sutton, Hale of Bridgewater, Tolman of Canton, Draper of Spencer.
FRIDAY, Jan. 9.
SENATE. The President communicated to the Senate a letter from the Hon. William C. Jarvis, resigning his seat at the Board, as a member from the District of Middlesex. This letter was referred to a select committee, who reported that the two candidates for filling the vacancy were the Hon. Timothy Fuller, and Rev Charles Train.
In convention of the two Houses, on taking the ballots, it was found that the whole number of votes was 248, of which Rev. Charles Train had 210, and he was chosen.
Wednesday next, at 11 o'clock, was further assigned for coming to a choice of Senator in Congress, instead of this day.
HOUSE. Mr. Russell of B. presented the petition of Rufus Davenport, on the subject of an amendment of the debtor laws, which were referred to a select committee, consisting, on the part of the House, of Messrs. Russell of B., Hall of S., and Dean of S.
SATURDAY, Jan. 10.
SENATE. Mr. Train appeared as member elect from Middlesex, and Mr. Keyes was appointed to wait upon him to the Executive to take the oaths of office. Afterwards Mr. Train took his seat at the Senate board.
The Committee on Railways reported a resolution authorizing the printing of the Railway report, which was read twice and passed.
On motion of Mr. Mattoon, it was Ordered, That Messrs. Mattoon and Webb, with such as the House may join, be a committee to inquire and report to the Legislature the probable number of persons, not being paupers, exempted from taxation, and also the probable amount of property exempted by law in this Commonwealth.
HOUSE. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from Charles Train, declaring his acceptance of his appointment as Senator, and his consequent resignation of a seat in the House as member from Framingham.
On motion of Mr. Merrill. Ordered, That a Precept issue to the town of Framingham, to choose a Representative to this House in the place of Charles Train, elected a Senator.
Petitions of Worcester Turnpike Corporation, referred to the Committee on Roads and Bridges.
The Rev. Daniel Sharp was chosen chaplain of the House.
MONDAY, Jan. 12.
SENATE. Petition of Phineas S. Nutting of Ashburnham, a wounded militiaman, praying for relief, referred in concurrence.
HOUSE. Ordered, that the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of making provision for restoration of property to the wife coming to the husband in her right, in cases of divorce a mensa et thoro.
Mr. Shaw of L., presented the petition of George Sullivan for compensation for services as Agent for Massachusetts Claim; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.
On motion of Mr. Shaw of L., it was ordered, that the Committee on Roads and Bridges be directed to inquire into the expediency of altering the laws relative to County Commissioners.
On motion of Mr. Bliss of S., it was ordered, that the Committee on the Militia be directed to inquire into the expediency of amending the existing militia laws, and adopting the following provisions: 1. An inspection and drill one day in each year. 2. A review once in three years. 3. A drill for officers and non-commissioned officers two successive days in each year. 4. That every person who has served 7 years in a volunteer company, or between the ages of 28 and 45, shall be entirely exempted from active military duty, by keeping on hand the arms and equipments which the present law requires, and sending or carrying them for inspection, at the Spring training.
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1829.
The Legislature of this Commonwealth met in Boston this day.
SENATE. The President took the chair at 11 o'clock, and a quorum of the members being present, Messrs. Longley and Mattoon were appointed a committee to inform the Governor that the Senate was ready to receive any communication he might be disposed to make.
This committee shortly after reported that the Governor would make a communication by message forthwith. The Secretary soon after came in with a written message, accompanied by a variety of documents. The message was read, and ordered to be laid on the table.
A communication was received from the Adjutant General, containing a statement of the expenses of the Adjutant General and Quartermaster General's affairs for the last year, amounting to $4555.89.
A petition from the Middlesex Agricultural Society, praying for a renewal of the law making grants to agricultural societies, was committed.
A communication was received from the Secretary of State, containing a statement of the expenses of his office, amounting to $4647.67.
Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to lay before the Senate the returns from the Banks made in December last.
HOUSE. [Since the last session of the Legislature, (says the Boston Advertiser) the Representatives chamber has undergone some important alterations. The gallery, which formerly crossed the northern wall, and obstructed the passage of light from that quarter, is removed: the east and west galleries have been neatly fitted with desks: the semi-circular range of seats for the members has been reversed, and the Speaker's chair transferred from the south to the north side of the House: the whole interior has been newly painted, and presents a very cheerful appearance. The only material alteration which remains to be noticed, is the shifted position of the venerable looking cod fish, which has long been the prominent emblem of our Legislative Hall. Its nose formerly pointed towards the home of that great aquatic body which it honorably represents, and which has always been a source of revenue to a large portion of our society: but it now looks to the south-west, and turns its tail upon the members below.]
At 10 o'clock, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Wm. B. Calhoun, called the members to order. A committee was appointed to wait on His Excellency the Governor, and inform him that both branches of the Legislature were ready to proceed to business.
At half past 11, a message from the Governor was presented by Mr. Bangs, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and read by the Speaker.
Mr. Buckingham of B. presented the report of the committee for repairing the State House. Amount of expenditures, $1233.32, exceeding the sum appropriated for that purpose, $223.32.
Ordered, That the usual number of copies of the Governor's Message be printed, and that it be referred to a special Committee, to make the customary distribution of particular portions of it for consideration among the Standing Committees.
Petition of Inhabitants of West Boylston relating to Ministerial Funds, was referred to the Committee on Parishes.
THURSDAY, Jan. 8.
SENATE. The petition of the Trustees of the Ministerial Funds in Royalston was referred to the Committee on Parishes, in concurrence.
The petitions of Isaac Bassett and others, for a Bank in Lynn: of a Committee of the Subscribers to the Stock in the Central Bank in Worcester, for a renewal of their Charter, and for an increase of their capital stock, were referred to the Committee on Banks, in concurrence.
Order of the House, that the Committee on Banks and Banking, be directed to inquire if any practice has obtained among the Banks in this Commonwealth inconsistent with the legitimate principles of Banking, or injurious to the interests of the community, came up for concurrence: read and concurred.
The several subjects of the Governor's Message were referred to appropriate Committees.
HOUSE. Petitions of Pliny Merrick, and others, for a Bank at Worcester, referred to the Committee on Banks and Banking-of David Lee, and others, of Barre, for repeal of the law requiring the use of broad rimmed wheels, referred to Committee on Agriculture.
Ordered, That Thursday, 15th inst., at 12 o'clock, be assigned for the choice, on the part of this House, of a Senator in the Congress of the United States, in place of Hon Mr. Silsbee; that the Committee on Banks and Banking, be instructed to inquire whether any practice has obtained in the Banks in this Commonwealth inconsistent with the legitimate objects of Banking, or injurious to the community.
The several subjects of the Governor's Message were referred to appropriate Committees.
The Speaker then appointed the following Committees: On the State Prison-Messrs. Parker of Charlestown, Weston of Duxbury, Crosby of Leominster, Lowell of Boston, Greene of New Bedford. On the Claim of the United States-Messrs. Davis of Boston, Sibley of Sutton, Hale of Bridgewater, Tolman of Canton, Draper of Spencer.
FRIDAY, Jan. 9.
SENATE. The President communicated to the Senate a letter from the Hon. William C. Jarvis, resigning his seat at the Board, as a member from the District of Middlesex. This letter was referred to a select committee, who reported that the two candidates for filling the vacancy were the Hon. Timothy Fuller, and Rev Charles Train.
In convention of the two Houses, on taking the ballots, it was found that the whole number of votes was 248, of which Rev. Charles Train had 210, and he was chosen.
Wednesday next, at 11 o'clock, was further assigned for coming to a choice of Senator in Congress, instead of this day.
HOUSE. Mr. Russell of B. presented the petition of Rufus Davenport, on the subject of an amendment of the debtor laws, which were referred to a select committee, consisting, on the part of the House, of Messrs. Russell of B., Hall of S., and Dean of S.
SATURDAY, Jan. 10.
SENATE. Mr. Train appeared as member elect from Middlesex, and Mr. Keyes was appointed to wait upon him to the Executive to take the oaths of office. Afterwards Mr. Train took his seat at the Senate board.
The Committee on Railways reported a resolution authorizing the printing of the Railway report, which was read twice and passed.
On motion of Mr. Mattoon, it was Ordered, That Messrs. Mattoon and Webb, with such as the House may join, be a committee to inquire and report to the Legislature the probable number of persons, not being paupers, exempted from taxation, and also the probable amount of property exempted by law in this Commonwealth.
HOUSE. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from Charles Train, declaring his acceptance of his appointment as Senator, and his consequent resignation of a seat in the House as member from Framingham.
On motion of Mr. Merrill. Ordered, That a Precept issue to the town of Framingham, to choose a Representative to this House in the place of Charles Train, elected a Senator.
Petitions of Worcester Turnpike Corporation, referred to the Committee on Roads and Bridges.
The Rev. Daniel Sharp was chosen chaplain of the House.
MONDAY, Jan. 12.
SENATE. Petition of Phineas S. Nutting of Ashburnham, a wounded militiaman, praying for relief, referred in concurrence.
HOUSE. Ordered, that the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of making provision for restoration of property to the wife coming to the husband in her right, in cases of divorce a mensa et thoro.
Mr. Shaw of L., presented the petition of George Sullivan for compensation for services as Agent for Massachusetts Claim; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.
On motion of Mr. Shaw of L., it was ordered, that the Committee on Roads and Bridges be directed to inquire into the expediency of altering the laws relative to County Commissioners.
On motion of Mr. Bliss of S., it was ordered, that the Committee on the Militia be directed to inquire into the expediency of amending the existing militia laws, and adopting the following provisions: 1. An inspection and drill one day in each year. 2. A review once in three years. 3. A drill for officers and non-commissioned officers two successive days in each year. 4. That every person who has served 7 years in a volunteer company, or between the ages of 28 and 45, shall be entirely exempted from active military duty, by keeping on hand the arms and equipments which the present law requires, and sending or carrying them for inspection, at the Spring training.
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
Appointment
What keywords are associated?
Massachusetts Legislature
Senate Proceedings
House Proceedings
Governor Message
Senator Election
Bank Petitions
Committee Appointments
What entities or persons were involved?
Wm. B. Calhoun
Charles Train
Timothy Fuller
William C. Jarvis
Daniel Sharp
Where did it happen?
Boston
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Boston
Event Date
January 7 To 12, 1829
Key Persons
Wm. B. Calhoun
Charles Train
Timothy Fuller
William C. Jarvis
Daniel Sharp
Event Details
The Massachusetts Legislature convened in Boston from January 7 to 12, 1829. Proceedings included receiving the Governor's message, handling petitions on banks, agriculture, ministerial funds, debtor laws, and military relief; referring matters to committees; electing Rev. Charles Train as Senator from Middlesex District with 210 votes; appointing committees on state prison, claims, banks, and militia; and other orders on taxation exemptions, railways, and infrastructure.