Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XI.djvu/264

 252 MASSACHUSETTS ratio of circulation to wealth, 2-0 per cent.; to capital, G3'05 per cent. Fifty-one of these banks, with a capital of $50,400,000, and an outstanding circulation of $25,294,272, were in Boston. There were 179 savings banks, with 702,099 depositors, and deposits amount- ing to $217,452,120. The average rate of dividends was 6| per cent. There were also 4 loan and trust companies, with $1,700,000 capital, and deposits aggregating $6,924,270. On Jan. 1, 1874, there were 127 fire and ma- rine insurance companies transacting business in the state, with a paid-up capital of $52,- 197,870 and net assets aggregating $86,981,245. The premiums received on risks in 1873 aggre- gated $84,017,278, while the paid losses amount- ed to $61,524,120, showing a ratio of paid loss- es to premium receipts of 73 -23. The execu- tive department of the government consists of a governor, whose annual salary is $5,000 ; a lieutenant governor, who receives $1,500 for attendance during the regular session of the legislature and $10 a day for extra sessions ; a secretary of the commonwealth, $3,500 ; trea- surer and receiver general, $5,000; auditor, $3,500 ; attorney general, $5,000 ; and an ex- ecutive council of eight, each of whom receives $750 for the regular annual session of their board, $5 a day for any subsequent session, and 20 cents a mile for travel. These officers are elected annually by the people. The legislative department consists of 40 senators and 240 representatives elected annually. Their pay is $750 for the regular annual session, and 20 cents a mile for travel. The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of rep- resentatives receive each $1,500 for the ses- sion. The judiciary comprises a supreme ju- dicial court, consisting of a chief justice, salary $6,500, and six justices, who receive $6,000 per annum each. This has exclusive cogni- zance of all capital crimes, exclusive chancery jurisdiction so far as chancery powers are given by statute, and concurrent original jurisdiction of all civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $4,000 in Suffolk, and $1,000 in other counties. The superior court has criminal ju- risdiction in all except capital cases, exclusive original jurisdiction of complaints for the flow- ing of land, and original jurisdiction of all civil acti.ius except those confided to the supreme and police courts. Actions cannot be com- menced in this court unless the debt or dam- ages exceed $20. The court has a chief jus- tice, salary $5,300, and nine justices, $5,000 each. The legislature in 1858 united the courts of probate and the court of insolvency. For probate and insolvency purposes, frequent courts are held at different places by the judges in the several counties. A judge and a regis- ter of probate and insolvency are elected by the voters of each county. In the large cities there are municipal courts for civil and police purposes. All the judges are appointed by the _!vu-nor for an unlimited time. The election for state officers and members of the legisla- ture is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and the legislature meets on the first Wednesday of January. Voters are required to be 21 years old, to have resi- ded a year in the state and six months in the town, to pay a poll tax, and to be able to read. Massachusetts has two senators and 11 repre- sentatives in congress, and consequently has 13 votes in the electoral college. For several years past the sale of spirituous and intoxica- ting liquors to be used as a beverage has been prohibited under penalties ranging from $10 fine and 10 days' imprisonment to $50 fine and six months' imprisonment. Ale, porter, strong beer, lager beer, and all wines, as well as dis- tilled spirits, are considered intoxicating. The lawful sale of intoxicating liquors to be used in the arts, or for medicinal, chemical, or me- chanical purposes, is vested in a commissioner appointed by the governor. In 1871 permission was given to towns to authorize the sale of ale, porter, strong beer, or lager beer ; but in 1873 this law was repealed. For executing the liquor law and general criminal laws a state police was maintained, consisting in 1874 of 100 men, at a cost of $145,000. This force was abolished by a law which was passed Feb. 13, 1875, and went into force March 1, and provision was made for the establishment of a state detective force of 31 men, to be appointed by the gov- ernor and council. The state board of health, appointed by the governor, makes regula- tions concerning the slaughter of swine, and may restrain persons or corporations from carrying on noxious or offensive trades. The funded debt of the commonwealth, Jan. 1, 1875, amounted to $29,465,204, and was classified as follows: railroad loans, $14,971,016; war loans, $12,936,188; ordinary loans, $1,558,000. Nearly the entire indebtedness of the state is provided for by established sinking funds. The revenue during the year ending Jan. 1, 1875, was $7,009,313 ; the expenditures were $7,183,247, of which $6,150,391 were ordinary and $1,032,856 special and exceptional. The chief sources of revenue were : State tax Corporation tax Savings bank tax National bank tax Massachusetts hospital life insurance company. . Insurance taxes and licenses Gas, coal, and mining companies Troy and Greenfield railroad, rents and interest. Interest on deposits and taxes Commissions Hawkers and peddlers Corporation fees .'. Railroad commissioners State police State prison Reform school Industrial school... $2,000,000 1,299,050 1,550,501 1,132,036 89,129 82.333 1 16.808 7,875 44.567 9,695 Confiscated liquors New York and New England railroad company. . . Alien estates " ....... Premium on exchange and loans Harbor improvements 18,156 107.209 22,798 7,000 19,798 4.065 10,059 The entire taxable property of the state on May 1, 1874, amounted to $2,164,398,548, of which $1,289,308,763 was real estate, $542,-