Clerks in the Epaphras Secretary and Auditor. Treasurer. Indians. dient, on an order relative to amending chapter 143 of the acts of 1864, again reported inexpedient to legislate. Mr. Dunn of Dover, from the special committee of the House to whom was referred the report of the Auditor on the subject of the positions and salaries of clerks, &c., in the various departments in the State House, submitted a report, accompanied by two orders of inquiry. Mr. Carter of Cambridge, from the committee on Military Claims, on the petition of Epaphras Chase, reported leave to withdraw. Severally placed in the orders of the day for to-morrow. Mr. Denny of Boston, from the committee on Finance, to whom was referred the report of the expenses of the Secretary's department, and of the Auditor's department for 1864; Mr. Clark of Ashland, from the same committee, to whom was referred the report of the expenses of the Treasurer's department; Mr. Scudder of Dorchester, from the committee on the Judiciary to whom was referred the several reports of the guardians of the Chappequiddic, Natick, and Troy Indians, of the treasurer of Marshpee, and of the state liquor comLiquor com- missioner; Marshpee. missioner. Bristol Co. Agricultural Society. State alms Severally reported that on these several matters no legislation is necessary. These reports were severally considered and accepted. Papers from the Senate. Petition of N. Durfee and others, of the Bristol County Central Agricultural Society, to be allowed the same privileges as other agricultural societies, was referred in concurrence to the committee on Agriculture. A special report of the board of State Charities on the house sys- state almshouse system was referred in concurrence to the committee on Public Charitable Institutions. tem. Boston and N. Y. Steamboat Co. Savings bank Bill to incorporate the Boston and New York Steam-boat Company, passed to be engrossed in the Senate, came down, and was read and ordered to a second reading. Report leave to withdraw on petition of William O. in Westfield. Fletcher and others, of Westfield, for a savings bank in that town, accepted in the Senate, came down, and was placed in the orders of the day for to-morrow. Orders of the The orders of the day were taken up. day. Bill relating to selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor, was read and ordered to a third reading. Bill to repeal so much of section 9 of chapter 167 of the General Statutes as makes it unlawful to try the speed of horses for a purse or stake, was read and rejected. Bill concerning the Granite Bridge Corporation was read, and on motion of Mr. Long of Charlestown was recommitted to the committee on Roads and Bridges. Reports, leave to withdraw, on the several petitions of S. K. Hutchinson and others; The town of Holliston; Andrew J. Morse; Were severally accepted; the two last named in concurrence, and the two first sent up for concurrence. Report, leave to withdraw, on petition of Andrew J. Tuck, was laid upon the table. Bill concerning the assessment of taxes, was read and passed to be engrossed, and sent up for concurrence. Engrossed bills: Relating to costs in certain cases; To change the name of the Baldwin Place Baptist Society, and for other purposes; Making appropriations for the expenses of the state almshouses, the hospital at Rainsford Island, the support and relief of state paupers, the Reform School at Westborough, and the nautical branch thereof, and for other purposes; To authorize the Congregational Society of Groveland to tax the pews in its meeting-house; To promote the safety of travellers on highways; In relation to the Rockport Steam Cotton Mills; pany; Concerning the Massachusetts bounty fund; (Which severally originated in the House of Representatives ;) To set off a part of the town of Chelmsford, and annex the same to the town of Carlisle ; To authorize Elijah Doane to build a wharf in Provincetown; (Which severally originated in the Senate ;) Were severally passed to be enacted, signed, and sent to the Senate. Bills, &c., finally passed. Concerning the proceedings and the compensation of the valuation committee authorized by the Legislature of 1864; (Which originated in the House of Representatives ;) Were severally passed, and signed and sent to the Senate. Adjourned. Trial of the speed of horses. Business. Prince S. Crowell; menhaden. Boston La bor Reform WEDNESDAY, February 15, 1865. Met according to adjournment. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Stearns of Billerica, a member of the House. The journal of yesterday was read. On motion of Mr. Bartlett of Greenfield, the vote by which the bill to repeal so much of section 9, chapter 167 of the General Statutes as makes it unlawful to try the speed of horses for a purse or stake was yesterday rejected, was reconsidered, and the bill was ordered to a third reading. On motion of Mr. Stone of Charlestown, the order from the Senate," that no new business shall be received and referred to any committee of the Legislature after the 15th of March next," was taken from the table, and was adopted in concurrence. On motion of Mr. Stone of Charlestown, Ordered, That all committees report adversely to action by this Legislature upon all matters hereafter referred to them which require notice to parties returnable after the 15th of March. Sent up for concurrence. Mr. Pope of Sandwich presented the petition of E. S. Whittemore and 110 others of Sandwich; Mr. Gilbert of New Bedford, the petition of Warren Ladd and others of New Bedford; Severally against the petition of Prince S. Crowell and others. Severally referred to the committee on the Fisheries. Mr. Stone of Charlestown, the petition of Ira Steward Association. and others, to be incorporated as the Boston Labor Reform Association; Mass. Dental Mr. D. H. Coolidge of Boston, the petition of N. C. Keep and others to be incorporated as the Massachusetts Dental Association. Severally referred to the committee on Education. Mr. Stone of Charlestown, the petition of Jonathan Stone Petroleum. and 151 others, for a law to regulate the storing and keeping of petroleum, and other explosive fluids; Mr. Bangs of Watertown, the petition of H. A. Bancroft Fort Hill and others, against that of John Foster and others. Severally referred to the committee on Mercantile Affairs. corporation. Mr. Field of Milford, the petition of Daniel L. Dorr and D. L. Dorr. others, for state bounty; which was referred to the committee on Military Claims. Ins. Co. Mr. Allen of Boston, the petition of James B. Dow and Accidents others, to be incorporated as the Accidents Insurance Company; which was referred to the committee on Insurance. Mr. Daniels of Medway, the petition of A. W. Mann and A. W. Mann. others, for a bounty; which was referred to the committee on Bounties, &c. Severally sent up for concurrence. Mr. Sawin of Fairhaven, the petition of the selectmen of Fairhaven. that town for liberty to carry into effect a vote of the town to furnish land to the Fairhaven Branch Railroad Company, &c. of Worcester. Mr. Draper of Worcester, the petition of the mayor of City charter Worcester, for an act to amend the city charter in relation to the election and duties of overseers of the poor. Mr. Bartlett of Greenfield, the petition of the selectmen Buckland; of Buckland, for an act legalizing the acts of towns in paying bounties. bounties. theatres, &c, Mr. Stone of Charlestown, the petition of Samuel G. S. G. Howe; Howe and others, for a law prohibiting any distinction being made in the admission of persons to theatrical or other exhibitions and amusements on account of color or race. Severally referred to the committee on the Judiciary. On motion of Mr. Kimball of Boston, tax. Ordered, That the joint special committee, consisting of Corporation the committees on the Judiciary of the House and Senate, consider what amendments are necessary to chapter 208 of the acts of 1864, entitled "an act levying a tax upon certain corporations." hall. Mr. Preston of Danvers offered an order granting the use Use of the of the hall for public lectures by Dr. Slade and Professor Agassiz before the New England Agricultural Society, on Wednesday evening, March 1st; which was referred to the committee on the State House. Severally sent up for concurrence. Right of married women to testify. Fences along lines of rail roads. Houses of ill fame. Bastard children. Minors under guardianship rors. On motion of Mr. Boomer of Fall River, Ordered, That the committee on the Judiciary consider the expediency of allowing married women to testify in all suits at law or in equity. On motion of Mr. Sawin of Natick, Ordered, That the same committee consider whether any additional legislation is necessary in reference to maintaining fences along lines of railroads in this Commonwealth. On motion of Mr. Wells of Chicopee, Ordered, That the committee on the Judiciary inquire what legislation is necessary, if any, to render the provisions of section 7, chapter 87, and section 13, chapter 165, of the General Statutes consistent with each other. Also ordered that the same committee inquire whether any legislation is necessary to secure the discharge of the defendant, in a prosecution under chapter 72 of the General Statutes, in case the complaint shall not be entered in the superior court. Also ordered that the committee on Probate and Chancery consider whether any legislation is expedient to define or limit the provisions of section 5, chapter 109 of the General Statutes, or to define the rights of a minor under guardianship upon arriving at the age of fourteen years. Traverse ju- Mr. Scudder of Dorchester, from the committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred Senate bill relating to the term of service of traverse jurors, reported it in a new draft. Police courts Liability of railroad corporations. Milford and Woonsocket railroad. Johnson Felting Mills Mystic River railroad. Mr. Wells of Chicopee, from the same committee, on an order relating thereto, reported a bill relating to the jurisdiction of police courts and trial justices in certain cases. Mr. H. H. Coolidge of Boston, from the same committee, on an order of February 4, reported a bill concerning the liabilities of railroad corporations and common carriers in certain cases. Mr. Johnson of Dorchester, from the committee on Railways and Canals, on the petition of the Milford and Woonsocket Railroad Company, reported a bill to extend the time for locating the Milford and Woonsocket Railroad. Severally read and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Bradford of Braintree, from the committee on Manufactures, to whom was referred the bill to incorporate the Johnson Felting Mills, reported that it ought to pass. Mr. Stone of Waltham, from the committee on Harbors and Flats, to whom was committed the bill extending the |