LAWS OF THE Commonwealth of Massachusetts, PASSED BY THE GENERAL COURT, AT THE EXTRA SESSION, WHICH COMMENCED ON WEDNESDAY THE SECOND OF VISED STATUTES,) AND AT THE SESSION WHICH COMMENCED ON Published agreeably to a Resolve of the sixteenth January, 1812. LAWS OF THE Commonwealth of Massachusetts, PASSED BY THE GENERAL COURT, AT THE EXTRA SESSION WHICH COMMENCED ON WEDNESDAY, THE SECOND CHAP. CLIV. An Act establishing the Office of Sergeant at Arms, and prescribing the duties thereof. SEC. 1. BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That there shall be How chosen. forthwith chosen by the concurrent vote of the two branches of the Legislature, and annually thereafter in the month of January, in the same manner, an officer who shall be called Sergeant at Arms, who shall hold his office until another is chosen in his To give bond, stead, and who shall give bond to the Treasurer of the Commonwealth in the sum of two thousand dollars for the faithful performance of his duties, and to account for all monies entrusted to him for the use of the Commonwealth. among specta tors, SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the said Sergeant at Arms shall, during the sessions, see that the respective chambers and lobbies occupied by the Legislature are kept in good order, and that the fires for heating the same are seasonably kindled, diligently tended, and carefully extinguished, and he Preserve order shall constantly maintain order among the spectators who may be admitted into the rooms in which the respective branches hold their sittings, and take all proper measures to prevent the interruption or disturbance of either branch, or any of the committees thereof; and for these purposes, he shall immediately after his election, appoint, subject to the approval of the presiding officers of the two branches respectively, suitable and proper persons to be Door Keepers to each house, who shall, during the session, render him all necessary assistance, and perform generally all the duties heretofore performed by assistant messengers; and he shall also appoint, subject to the like approval, such assistants to the said Door Keepers as the two houses may respectively direct; and he shall exercise a strict superintendence over all his subordinate officers, giving them all needful directions, and taking care that they promptly perform their several duties. Appoint door keepers and assistants. Serve processes and execute orders. SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That said Sergeant at Arms shall serve all such processes, and execute all such orders as may be enjoined upon him by the General Court; and he shall attend the members or clerks of either house when they are apartments, &c. charged with messages to the other house, and introduce them in the usual manner. He shall have the general charge and oversight of the State House and its appurtenances, and he shall daily visit and Daily inspect inspect all the apartments therein, (except the Secretary's Office and Council Chamber, and the several apartments therewith connected, which shall continue, as heretofore, under the care of the Messenger of the Governor and Council,) carefully observing their state and condition, and taking proper precaution against damage being done thereto, or to the books, papers and other property therein contained, by the weather or otherwise, and he shall take care that the chambers and lobbies occupied by the Legislature, are kept clean and in good order during the recesses of the General Court. watchman. SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That said Ser- To appoint geant at Arms shall annually appoint, subject to the approval of the Secretary and Treasurer, a Watchman of the State House, whom he may at any time remove, and for whose fidelity and good conduct in said capacity he shall be responsible and said Watchman shall employ, subject to the approval of the Sergeant at Arms, a suitable person as an Assistant. Said Watchman shall visit at night, all the rooms in the State House in which fires have been kindled during the day, and attend to their safety, and he and his assistant shall both remain in the State House every night, from nine o'clock in the evening until sunrise the next morning, and maintain proper watch and guard for the security thereof; and either he, or his assistant, shall, for the same Watchman's dupurpose, remain there during all other hours of the day when the outside doors are open, so that the State House shall at no time, by night or by day, ties. |