A Souvenir of Massachusetts Legislators 1901 Volume X

Hardcover. Book Condition: Very Good. A.M. Bridgman, Stoughton, MA 1901. First Edition. 1st Printing. 204 pages. Nice Firm Clean copy ! Light general wear. Size: 8vo 7.75 - 9.75'' tall. PREFACE. The rule that there is a special feature in every Legislature still holds good. This year it was the proposed construction of a new system of subways in Boston Held pack by the committee on Metropolitan Affairs, by reason of its importance until a late day in the session; passed by both houses by over-whelming majorities and finally vetoed by the Governor, it may mark the last attempt of any similar corporation in Massachusetts to obtain by legislative enactment a long franchise of the practical monopoly of a public service. 'High water mark' of such leases was doubtless reached in the Boston & Albany and Fitchburg railroad leases of 1900 and Twentieth Century legislation was signalized in its opening year by the refusal of the Governor in the interests of the people, to sanction a bill that tied up for forty years the tremendous monopoly of transportation of Boston and its suburbs. Aside from this measure, there was little out of the ordinary proposed in the way of legislation. While there was more business brought before the Legislature than ever before, yet it was mostly of the nature of remedial and corrective legislation adapted to the rapid development of the State's material interests, rather than of a constructive and radical nature. Experience teaches those foremost in legislatlon, that the greatest good is accomplished by vigorous prosecution of work in committee, with reports presented as soon as possible after hearings are completed, rather than by hasty work in committee and long debates on the floor. The session was not saddened by the loss of any member by death. The redistricting of the state into Congressional districts was again made necessary under the Constitution by the rapid growth of the state in population, and a bill was agreed upon that was, as a whole, as acceptable to both parties as could have been expected or desired. Unlike Legislatures for the previous score of years, this one was prorogued to return on the second Wednesday in November, in order to pass upon the new arrangement of the Public Statutes. A special feature of the Souvenir of 1901 is the new map of the new Congressional districts, and the picture of the special committee that so divided the state. It is worthy of note that the 'Legislative Souvenir,' now in its tenth volume, has become more appreciated each year, and that the orders for it are larger this year than ever before. A. M. BRIDGMAN. Editor and Publisher. New England::Cookbooks New England::Biographies/Memoirs History::Localities History::U.S.A.::1900-1950 6068