SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL,

ON EAST BOSTON FERRIES.

PRELIMINARY MEETING.

THE Special Committee of the whole Council, to whom were referred the petitions for a public hearing on the subject of abolishing the tolls on the East Boston Ferries, held a private meeting at the Council Chamber on Tuesday, April 4, at four o'clock, P. M., at which the following rules were adopted to govern the hearings:

The petitioners for the hearing shall be called upon first to present their objections to the proposed abolition of tolls. They may appear in person or by counsel.

After a full hearing of said petitioners, the citizens of Boston in favor of the abolition of tolls shall be heard in person or by counsel.

Persons called, or volunteering, to testify, or make statements at the hearings, may be cross-examined in accordance with the rules of Court, by the counsel for the opposite side to that for which they appear.

The Chairman of the Committee may question witnesses at the close of their direct or cross-examination; and any member of the Committee may question the witnesses in the same manner, upon rising in his place and being announced by the Chairman. Not more than one member of the Committee shall question a witness at the same time; and no member of the Committee shall interfere with the direct or cross-examination of a witness by counsel.

If any objection or point of order is raised by counsel, or witnesses, or any member of the Committee, in regard to the manner of conducting the hearing, which is not covered by the rules herein laid down, the Chairman shall decide upon it; and his decision shall not be subject to exception by the counsel or witnesses; but any member of the Committee may appeal from the decision, and the question of appeal shall be taken without debate.

When the petitioners, and others interested, have been heard in the order herein stated, those in favor of, and those in opposition to, the proposed abolition of tolls, shall each have one hour for the presentation of their arguments in person or by counsel; and those opposed to the abolition of tolls (the petitioners) shall have the closing argument.

At the conclusion of the arguments for both sides, the Chairman shall announce that the hearing is closed.

The question of abolishing the tolls shall not be open for discussion in the Committee; but the Chairman shall return the papers to the Council at the next regular meeting after the conclusion of the hearing, with a report that a hearing has been given to the parties interested, in accordance with the instructions of the Council.