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A
X
LEGISLATIVE.
\Vi-:o.\'i:snAv, May 5.
The SENATE was organized by the elec-
tion of the Hon. Thomas C. Perkins, of
the first district, as President pro tem. and
James H. H-olcomb, of Hartford, as Clerk.
‘ ‘The Housia was calledto order by Mr.
.Thompson of East Haven, the oldest mem-
bengandlproceedcd to ballot for Speaircr_as
follows: .
\Vholo number ofballots was 195
Necessary to a choice 98
Layfayette S. Foster of Norwich had 106
Loren P. \Valdo of Tollund 80
Scattering 9
Mr. Foster addressed the House sub-
stantially as follows:
Gentlemen: It-hank you for the honor
you have done me in selecii g me to pre-
side over your deliberations. Having
had but little experience as the presiding
officer of a deliberative assembly I. shall
have frequent occasion to ask your indul-
gence. I trustthat the desire which all
have to preserve order will make my task
comparatively light.
Permit me to invoke a spirit of harmony
in our proceedings. Differences of opin-
ion must always exist among men, but
those differences are not incompatible with
a regard for the feelings and convictions
of others. I/Vhile we may not agree in
reference to, means, let not such disagree-
iuent cause a forgetfulness of the ends of
our action to preserve the honor, maintain
the institutions and promote the interests
of the State.
Francis Bacon of Litchfield was elected
A Clerk.
Henry T. Hough, of Chaplin, Assistant.
A message was received from the Sen-
ate, announcing that that body had organ.
ized and was ready to proceed to business.
Messrs. Minor of-Staniford and Pratt of
Rocky Hill were appointed a committee-
to wait upon the Senate and inform them
that the House is organized and ready to
proceed to business.
_ Resolution arpointing John L. Boswell,
State Printer, passe.d.
‘l‘hat —— be a committee on contes-
ted elcctions. Messrs. Minor of Stamford,
Seymour, and Gallup, of Brooklyn, were
appointed.
That , with such as the Senate
mayjoin, be a committee to examine the
report of the State Canvassers Messrs.
Chapman, Sanger, Smith of Wroodbury,
‘Naldo, Bliss of Norwich, \Voodward,
xlus-sell of New Haven, and Perry, were
rppointcd on the part of the House.
A message from Gov. Toucey was re-
ceived, on the distribution of moneys for
the support andrelief of the insane, deaf,
dumb, and blind.
t was ordered that the Message, with
.-i-ccompanying documents, be transrnittcd
so the Senate.
A Message was received from the Gov-
ernor ccveritig resolutions of the legisla-
tures of Missouri, Virginia, Rhode Island
and New IIsinpsliire——a|so the Report of
the Adjutant General—also a copy of the
letterof the Governorto Gen.Taylor,tr:ins-
mitting to him the resolutions of the last
Gen. Asseinbly,'with Gen. Taylor’sreply.
Ordered that the Message with the ac-
_ companyirig documents be transhiitted to
the Senate.
M r. Russell of New Haven presented
two affidavits respecting errors in certain
election returns, which were referred to
the couimittee on the report of the State
canvassers. Similar documents were re-
ceived touching the returns of Meriden,
New London, and Trumbull, which were
similarly referred. The report of the State
canvasscrs was received and read, and re-
ferred to the committee on that subject.
Resolution received‘ from the Senate
raising a joint committee to examine the
canvass for Governor and State ofiicers,
was read, and laid on the table.
The House adj.
.flftern0on.——.‘vlcssrs. Thompson,Daboll,
and Foster of Union, were appointed the
_Committee upon unfinished business.
Mr. Chapman of Hartford, from the
committee on the report of the State can-
vassers, made a report of the official re‘-
turii of votes for Governor. It was there-
upon
Iiesolvetl, That the Hon. CLARK BXSSELL,
be, and he is hereby, declared legally elec-
tcd_Govcrnor of this State for the year on-
suing.
Resolution passed, That he a coni-
mittee, with such Senators as the Senate
may join, to wait upon the Governor elect
and request his presence in the hall of the
House at such hour as he shall select.
Messrs. Chapman, Smith of Middletown,
and Kendrick were appointed.
About 3 o’clock,the two Houses having
assembled in Convention, His Excellency
the Governor came in, and after taking
the oath of office delivered the following
'hiES$AGE.-
.»l1r. Pmsiclent and Gentlemen of the Senate .'
fi’Ir. Spea/act‘, aml Gentle.-iicn of the I-Iouse
Q/' Representatives:
The constitution under which we are
assembled, malces it the duty of the Chief
» Executive Magistrate to give to the Gen?
* cral Assembly, information of the State of
the Government, and to recommend to
their consideration such measures as he
shall deem expedient. '
Those highly responsible" duties have
been devolved upon me. I enter upon
tlieniwitli difiidcnce in iny_own abilities
to discharge them acceptably; and at the
same time, under a grateful sense of obli
gation to my/ fellow-citizens for this dis-
tinguished proof of their confidence and
regard: may all our duties be so met, and
so disclmrged, as to advance the best in-
tercsts of our beloved State: and that
. such may be the result of our deliberatioris,_
it becomes us to look for guidance and
direction to that Almighty Being who
' controls all events by the counselsof
, his infmiie wisdom, and in whose hands are
the destinies ofall the nations ofthe earth.
, To Him, too, should we render our de-
vout acknowledgements, for the preserva
~ ._tion.of our free institutions, for the can
0
tinned prospertity which has attended us
as a people. » -
Although this as one of the ‘States of
measures 0 the Federal Government, and
has the undoubted right to express its
opinion upon those measures;..yet our
more immediate concern is with those
subjects that affect our ‘well being as a
State, and in regard to which alone we
are called to legislate. These are neither
numerous nor embarrassing. The .gi'_efit,
interests of the State ‘are not conflicting
lm'I‘llieeSTri\vs of property are well definied
and understood; our titles are simple, and
the Union, has a deep interest in the.
lioweve _ _ _
former acts—that is, an actuahregistration
of the naine of every elector before re-
ceiving his vote.
The object of the Registry act was to
prevent fraudulent voting, and at the same
time to secure to the honest elector a free
and uneimbarrassed exercise of the right.
It was not perhaps to be expected that
a law, combining these objects, ,and
perfect in all its details should be at once
framed.
Such regulations as seemed necessary
to guard against fraud in the larger towns,
appeared to the smaller ones to be bur-
thensome and unnecessary. Of the cori-
rest on foundations almost as permanent
as the sc-ilitself; we have not a body of.
disaflected tenantry, either to soothe or
to punish. The occupiers are generally
the owners of the soil, and labour in every
department is sure of a liberal renumera-
tion. The legislation of the State has
hitherto been adapted to the exigencies
and wants of the community as they have
been unfolded by events. It has been,
(as legislation should ever be) practical,
rather than theoretical; intended to rem-
edy miscliiefs,wliich were felt and acknowl-
edged, rather than to guard against evils
which were merely speculative. Hence
it is that our legislative enactments are
comparatively few. The piibiic laws of
the State, extending through a period of
more than two-centur'es, are mostly cm-
braced in'a single volume of moderate
dimensions. The statutes require revis-
ion ; and I under.-tand that at the last
session," a resolution passed both branches
of the Legislature, appointing a committee
for that purpose. The resolntio-n was
unfortunately either lost or mislaid, and
did not receive the sanction of the Gov-
ernor‘. I recommend the appointment of
a committee for that purpose.
At the last session of the General As-
sembly resolutions were passcd.by the
House of Representatives, proposing sun-
dry amendments to the Constitution of
the State. These resolutions,iri conform-
ity to the provisions of the Constlluilmi.
have been published with the laws of the
session, and will of course demand your
consideration.
The first amendment ’proposed, merely
changes the time for holding the meetings
of the Electors, and the sessions of -the
General Assembly, this involves no-prin-
ciple of importance, and may.be- rc-
gardcd perhaps as a more matter of
convenience.
The second proposed amendment is
virtually an extension of the right of suf-
frage, so as to embrace all citizens having
the prescribed qualifications without re-
gard to color.
The third provides for the election of
Justices of the Peace by the. electors, in
their respective towns, and the fourth for
the election of Judges of Prob:ite in. the
several Probate Districts.
It is well known that these officers are
now appointed annually by the Legisla-
ture: The question before you will be,
whether the proposed amendments shall be
submi‘ted to the people in the primary
assemblies.
As our constitution of Government em.
anated from, and was adopted by
the people, with the provisions, as
well as ‘the operation of which, they
have become familliar, and the evils
of which (if any there are) bear directly
upon them, it may be supposed that the
question regar(lin,c_r amendments, is one
peculiarly within their province, and one
which may safely be entrusted to their de-
cision, and that such is the theory of the
Constitution itself. -
It is true that the Constitution makes
the people the ultimate judges on the
subject, and no amendment can be en-
grafted upon it, without their sanction.
At the same time it was obviously the
intent of its framers to guard the instru.-
ment against rash and hasty innovations;
and hence it is provided that no amend-
ment shall cverbe submitted to the peo-
pie unless the same shall be approved by a
vote of two-thirds of each House of the
Legislature.
And although I mean to express no opin-
ion upon the character of these amend-
ments. I may be permitted to remark, that
a Constitution ofGovernment, settled upon
great deliberations, which has been in
operation for years, the provisions of
which have come to be well ‘understood
by the people, and to which their views
and habits have become in some measure
confirmed, ought not to be disturbed for
sliszht or insuflicient causes. I
There is perhaps at the present time,
too much ofa disposition to subvert es-
tablished svstems of Government, and
rejecting the liglits of experience, to ad-
venture upon new and untried theories.
Coming as you do directly from t.he peo-
plc,yon can best determine whether the
proposed amendments are called for, and
whether the question of their adoption or
rejection should be submitted to the peo-
ple for their decision.
The exercise of the elective franchise,
as it lies at the foundation of all our free
institutions, is deeply to be cherished and
its purity guarded with watchful and jeal-
ous care. That it is liable to be violated,
and especially under the influence of
strong party feeling, and in the excitement
of a warmly contested political canvass
can be doubted by no one.
It would seem to lo the common inter-
est of allparties to protect the purity of
lhe_ elective franchise from lawless vio-
lation, and effectually to guard against
the approach of every. species of f,-au(]_
‘It is unfortunate that our legislation on
this highly important subject, has not been
uniform, nor perhaps entirely free from
the influence of party feeling.
In [840 an act was passed to provide
for the Registration of the names of the
electors, usuallyjcalled the “Registry net.”
This act was repealed in 18-l«2—,in 1844-
the act of 18f-O was substantially re-enact-
ed. This act was repealed at the last ses.
sion of the Legislature, and it new one
substituted under a_notl1er_na_mo, rcti,:tir_i,irig
,stitntionality of the Registry acts I can-
not entertain a doubt: Indeed the cor-
.rectness of the principle on which they
rwere founded, seems now to be admitted
by all. ‘ A .
I submit to the decision of the Legisla-
tiire, whether the existing law does not
embrace all the provisions, which in jus-
tice to the small towns, can be reasor-ably
required, and whether if any further safe-
guards are necessary, they may not be
supplied by tho vigilance of those who
feel it an incumbent duty ‘to protect the
ballot box against frauds.
I would, however, remark that the Gib
section of the act of the last session re-
quires, in my judgment, some modifica-
tion. I do not think thatan opportunity
is given for a full and fair vo'e in the
choice of Representatives where there is
no election made on the first Monday in
April, and especially in those towns
where rriany ofthc electors live remote
from the polls, and usuiilly return to
their homes before the vote is declared.
Afliill for a_"public Asit to provide for
the enrollment of the _militi_a and to en-
courage the formation of uniform compa-
nies was reported to the last General
Assemly, ordered to be printed with the
Public Acts and continued to the present
session. The Bill, will therefore, require
your attention, and will undoubtedly
receive at your hands all that consideration
which its importance demands.
We are admonished by passing events,
that peace, however desirable. is. not
prrpctuul. That the confused noise of the
battle and the warrior has not ceased to
be heard, and probably will ‘not cease
from among men .iiritil the Prince of
Peace shall sway an universal sceptre. - It
is therefore it dictate of tvisdoin as well
as of patriotism, that in peace we should
"be prepared for war—prepared to assert
either by the invasion of foreign foes, or
by the outbreaking of popular violencc,——
prepared, not by the maintenance of large
standing urriiies, opposed ali' e to the
economy of our Governrnent and to the
genius of our free Institutions. but by a
thorough orgariization and training of the
militia, the citizen soldiery of the country.
The efliciency of this force was tested on
many a well fought field during our Rm-0-
lutonary strugglc,i1lHl recently and most
proudly has it been vindicated on the Rio
Grande, at Moriterey and Buena Vista.
It is believed that the militia of this State
will compare favorably with those of any
other State in the Union, in all those ele-
ments which constitute the Character of
the soldier, the citizen, and‘the patriot,
Irecommend this arm of our defence
to the favorable consideration of the Gen.
ernl Assembly, and he tlsslireil I shall most
cheerfully co-operate in any measure
calculated to give efficiency to the militia
‘of the State, and at the same time relieve
this valuable portion of our fellow citizens
from the pressure of unnecessary bur-
tliens.
The reports of the Treasurer and
Comptroller will be laid before you, from
which it will appear there was due from
the Treasury to the School Fund at the
close of the fiscal year the sum of
$l.1,565,68 for rnouies borrowed during
the year. At the commencement of the
year there was in the Treasury tfi]4«,70-I-,73,
showing an expenditure during the year
of $'26,270,4l beyond the income. It
wouldiseem that some measures ought to
be adopted to relieve the Treasury of this
debt, to defray the expenses of the Gov-
ernment, and discharge such liabilities as
may be cast upon it, by grants of the
General Assembly. ‘
intimately connected with our financial
concerns is the subject of taxation; and
it is one of deep and momentous interest
to our constituents. The attention of the
Legislature has been repeatedly called"
to it by my predecessors in office. It is a
subject of very general complaint, that the
present system operates unequally upon
different classes, and that it casts a dispro-
portionate amount of the public burthens
onithose in moderate circumstances; and
yet either from the intrinsic difficulties
attending the subject, or the conflicting
‘interests involved, the system is suflered
to remain undisturbed with scarcely an
effort to rerriedy even its most g-la-ring
defects. We still continue virtually to tiix
the industry and enterprise of the artizau,
the merchant and the’ mechanic, at the
same time that we tax their acquisitions,
which are the fruits of that industry and
enterprise. i
It may not be expedient entirely to
change the present system, to which the
people have become in some measure ac-
customed, but it is well deserving the
consideration of the Legislature, whether
certain reforms may not be engrafted upon
it, better adapting it to our present cir-
cumstances, rendering it more equal in its
operation, and more acceptable to , the
people. ‘ _
There is also another subject to which
the attention of the Legislature has been
repeatedly called, and which in my judg-
ment, deiriands a thorough investigation.
I refer to the judicial expenses of the
State: these are large, and for a series of
Years. have been constantly increasing. In
1820.they amounted, independentlybof the
salaries of the Judges, to $l2,4~-I-],31——
for the year ending the 31st of March,
l§‘1'7. _they amounted to the sum of
‘dl"3h_7.l’l;34.‘~ Wlietl_i§.r this great and
r the most essential feature of the?
El
and vindicate our rights wherever assailed, ‘
constaiitly increasing expenditure is the‘
egitimate result of an increase of crime
and of_the.increasing number of convic-
tions, whether in the administration ofour
criminal code, certain abuses "have crept
in, which the community have a deep
interest. -
If even under the salutary influence of
the Temperance Reformation, crime is
increasing among us in the ratio indicated
by these e.\'penditures,there is iudced__iust
cause of alarm. I would recommend
the subject to your deliberate considera-
tio_n. ..
The government and discipline of the
Coniiecticut States I)l'I.*7OI'I appear to have
been‘ so adiniiiistered as fully to sustain the
reputation and cfliciency ofthe Institution.
I may he pardoned for suggesting that
this efiiciency should not be impaired by a
too liberal exercise of the pardoning pow-
or. The ccr'ai'nly is believed to be quite
at? efficacious as the -re:-crily of punish-
ment, in deterring from crime: And when
a coriviotion is l.ad upon clear and satis-
factory evidence, the sentence, and the
entire sentence should be carried into
execution, unless under very strong and
peculiar circumstances. It is a mistaken,
a false humanity, which turns loose
upon the community a convicted male-
fiictoi‘. '
The uuiiibor of convicts on the 31st of .\I:ii'(-‘ii,
1.947, was I-S0—oii the {list of March, 18-15,
In .
The average iiuiiibor confined fortliree years,
{ciidiug \Iill'(‘.lll 1st. 1815, was ‘I201. The whole
jincomc ofthe prison during the past yciir has
‘been $1.-’i..’;7(l 20, while the c.\'pemliturcs oftlio
estulilislitiieiit, have uiiiouiited to $12,093 Ur-3,
lczivingu surplus of -$3.«l7'2 12.
I concur entirely in ilio i'ocoirinicndui.iori of
my iiiiincdiiite pi'odecc.~:soi' that this fund, deri-
VCU from the labor oftho guilty, should be ap-
plied to tho rcliefoftlio iiiifurti'iiiatc.,tlic insane,
the deaf, the dumb iiud the blind.
I couiiucnd tliosu iirifortiinute classes of our
fellow citizens to your coiisidoriitioii, liclioviiig
us I do, that. they have strong and continuing
cluiiiis upon us, and that: we shall not ctii'i'y out
i.lic wishes of our coiistittioiits if these claims
are neglected.
The Bziiiks oftho State, are it is believed, in
ii prosperous condition, and that they answer
the legitiuiuto object of their creation, in fur-
nishing to the comiuiiriity, rciisoiiiililo fiicilitii-.3
for tho truiis.'ict.iou of liiisiiiess, and a sound cur-
rency. That they iiiiiy continue to do so, it is
iiinloubtoilly proper that the visiloriul po\vci'cx—
ci'cisc<l' over them by the Legislature slioiilil
continiicto be cxcrcisod; and so C.‘{(‘.l'CiS‘(:t.l as
cffectiiiilly to ginird the public iigainst. loss on the
mic hand, and not uiiiiecessarily to interfere
with the rolatioiis between the banks and their
debtors on the other. ,
In it goveruinent resting on the virtue and in-a
telligoncc of its citizeiis, wliero wrii'tl1 iind tal-
ents are siii'e to be duly uppi'cciatod,and \vlicro
the avenues to distiiictiou are open to all alike,
the Cll1I.‘:'U()fI‘i(ll1Cilll()ll should ever be regarded
duties appeitairiliig to the office . Jot’. Commis-
sion,ei‘;,_ and empowcriiig-.li'ini in ‘case of the
sickness, death, or other inabilitzy of the Coin-
inissioner, to perform all the duties of the office. I
The office thus created was abolished at the
last session of the General Assembly. It will.
be for you to deteriiiine whether the office shall
be revived, or whether any other measures shall‘
be adopted for the security of the funds, and in
coming to a result, a proper regard will doubt-
less be had to the momentous iiitorests_inyoli'ed. I
Closely allied to the cause of education, is the
inculcution of sound m_orals. and ofihoso virtues
which shod it charm over doincstic life, and byj
which the bands of society are hcl} togetlier.
\Ve live in an age in Wliich much is doing to
strengthen and coiifirni tlicse virtues-—much to
reform and ameliorate the condition of our
race, and among these various efforts, there is
perhaps none in which the interests of our fol
low ruoii- and ofthe community are more deeply
involved, than that whicli is put forth to stay
the progress of iiitenipcraiico. and to redeem
men from its power mid dominion. -Tho suc-
cess which attended these efforts. is inatter of
deep and sinceru congratulation. and there is no
man. who rcgiiiwls the welfare. of his fellow men,
or the best interests of our common country,
who can be indifferent to the continued success
oftliis cause. \Vhi-flier its oinvurd p_i’0gi‘eSS
can_ be aided and will be likely to be aided by
the force of Legislative cnuctinents, IS a ques-
tion upon which there is u difference of opinion
even among the friends of the ciiuse. \Vhile
some contend that moral nit-saris, and moral
means ()77l‘I/ arc to be employed, and flint. the
sale of'int'oxicating drinks should be made to
cease by porsuadiiig men not to purcliaso : Olli-
crs insist. that the strong arm ofihc law should;
be put forth to arrest a triiffick, pi'oductive only‘
ofuiiiiiingled evils to the comiiiiiiiity, and that.
those who in this day of light will so siiingainst
their fellow men and ugiiiiist, the grciit. law oft,
Rigliteritisiiess, should be. visited with pains and"
penalties. Of the coiistiiiitioiiiil power of the
Lcgisliitiiic, not only to regulate but to 1'itIr:'rtlIcf,
this triiffic. I cannot cntertziiii ii doubt. Laws
in i'esti'ziint of it. are to he found upon our stut-
utn books from our cui'licst mzistciice us it State.
Tliny have continued down to the present time.
and it cannot vary the principle, ivlietlicr such
i'cstraiiit does or docs not aniuiiiit. to it prohibi-
tion. It is not until i'ccciitly that the power to
pass such lawshus lwon questioned ; and that
qiiostion has, it. would sceni. been put at rest by
ii lute decision oftho Supreme Court of the U.
States.
It. is to be regi'ottcd tluit: our legislation upon,
this subject has been flllll(‘.l’l‘lnlll'lg._ and still more
to be rogi'ettcd, ifparty feelings ainl party views
have onterctl at all as an element; into the con-
sidcra tion of a question in which incu of all put‘-
ties have it deep iiud common interest. The
subject is one of peculiar delicacy, and in rela-
tion to it I iiiuy be [)el'llllIi('.tl to rciiiark that our
legislation, in order to be cffi-ctiial, must. bcjust.
That the penalty should be proportioned to the
offence: and that the laws on this subject should
not corifliitt. with, but be siistaiiied by an en-
l'iglit'eued public opinion. To place laws on the
statute book which cannot be enforced, is not
idle incrcly, btit iiiisclic.ivous.
\Vl1otli(--r the act. of the lust. scssioii, loaviiuz
the traffic opon alike to all, undci' the. modificzi
as an object of pziraiuouiit importance. It is
u_iid everlias been so regarded by the people of
this State; and early in the very iiifziucy of our
existence as a State, were luitl deep and broad,
those foundations of irioruliry iuid intelligence
arid religion, upon which has been reared the
sti'1ictiii'c ofour prosperity.
And iiltliough there are runny thing.-sin which
we may not compare favorably with ‘many of
our sister States, yet there are others in which
we may indulge an honest State pridc. In the
structures which have been reared, and the pro-
vision which has been made, for the comfort,
and relief, and instructioii ofthoso unfortunate
classes of our fellow men to which I have just
alluded :, in our Religious Institutions, our Sorti-
inarios ofLeiiruing, and our Coriinion Schools;
the wisdom mid foresight of those who have
gone before us, now disbursing through the State
annually the sum of_ -$i1'.2:'),0(lO, and spreading
the light of intelligence over thousands of youth-
ful minds.
I need not say that we shall be wanting in
fllltv to ourselves, wanting in our duties to the
State and its higher iiitei-lists, if we neglect. to
guard iind protect and cherish those favored In-
stitiitioiis, or if we are still cold or indifl'ei'eut to’
the early training of those, who are to be the
future iiiou of the Slate, and upon whom are
soon to devolve its governinoiit and its (lcst.iiiics.
Your iittcutioii will he pai'ticiilui'ly called to
to the School Fund, and its intluerice upon the
cause of education. You will enquire wliethcr
it has uccoiiiplislied all which it ought to have
accoinplishcd; ivhctherit luis elevated Ihc.stan-
dard iifiiistruction in our comiuon schools as it
sliould have been elevated. \Vhot.her it has
been made; and -whether that supervision has
been exercised over them which should have
boeuexercised. If these enquiries should lead
you to the conclusion, that there are defects in
the present systoin which require to be reinc-
died, you will doubtless apply the remedy.
In our sister States of N ew York arid Massa-
chusetts, normal schools, or soniinarics for the
express purpose of training l.CtlCllel‘S, have been
established, and it is believed withthe most ben-
eficiel results.
I fear we are behind those States in our of-
forts to tlissciniiiate information on the subject,
and to give iin impulse to the cause ofcduciitioii
in our coinuioii schoools. Bclieviiig as .I do,
that the prosperity ofthcso schools is idorztifierl
with the honor and pi'ospt-rity of the State, .I
shall most cordially co—opoi'ate in any incasurcs
culciiliitcd to advance their iiirci'cst.s. The re
port. ofihc supcrint'ciuluiit will be laid before
you, showing the conditioii of our coiiiiuon
schools. I regret that I did not receive this
document in ‘time to notice it as I could have
wished.
The report. oft.lio Comuiissioiicr ofihe School
Fund will also be laid bc.fore you, from which
it will appear that during the past year the fund
has divided $133,170 (55 among 86,597 children‘
bottwecii the ages of four and sixtccnyears; be-
ing $1,-'15 on each child ciiuincriitcd.
I have no reason to doubt, that uiidcr the su-
porintcndaiicc of this faithful and (}X])(‘.l‘lcllC6Ll
officer, the fund has been :ibly—uiid judiciously
managed. The ostiiiiatioii in which his sei'i'iccs
_liavc been held by the people of the Stiite, is
shown from the fact that he has been retained
in the office for it long period, and through all
the flunctuiittions of parties. '
But; it should be remembered that the fund
iuiiotiiits to more than $2,000,000! no inconsid-
crable portion of which is vested in bonds and
mortgages many of them due from citizens. of
otlicr States in the Union. It must therefore
be obvious that the nianagcnient of this fund de-
mands increasing vigilanco and care, and that it
most weighty responsibility rests upon the Coni-
missioner. It is also apparent that the whole
business connected with the fund‘ cannot be
transacted by him in person, but must, to some
extent at least, be devolved on agents.
These considerations, mid doubtless others
induced the Legislature in 18-15 to appoint an
Assistant Coiiiuiissioiicr, making it his duty to
aid, advise Willi, uud assist the _C0l)]n1l5Sl0Ilel‘
in our School Fund, that proud moiiunioiit of;
made these schools what they ought to have-
tions prcsci'ibcd by the act, lS_Sl1Cll mi one that
j the public sentiment demands, or as _will an-
gswer the just exp‘ ctations ofour coiistititciits,is
i ii question vvcll deserving your C()llSl(lSl'tll'lUll-
E Since the lust mcctingoftlio Lcgislzitiiiccveiits
7ofno coiiiirion char.'icto1' have truiispircd; and
curtain iiieasuros have been adopted, which on n-
: not but deepen tho interest which this State has
in the administration of the General Govern-
ment. ' '
The Tm-iffnct of 1942, under the influence
of which our langxuishing manufacturers rc-
vived, industry received a new impulse, labor
found its appropriate cmploynicnt, itnd all the
great iritci-ests ofthe country prospered, has
been repealed, and in its place, another act-
founded on different principles, ‘and to be fol-
lowed, it is‘feared, by different results. It is
l believed that the repeal of the act of 1842 was
uncalled for. As a revenue measure, it more
than" answered the expectations of its friends.
,whilc, at the same time, it afforded‘ that inci-
dental protection to the products of American
, indust;ry and skill. which it was the early policy
oftlie Govgrriiiieiit; to iifford, and which is iden-
: titicd, it is believed, with tho liighcst and host
liiitcrcsts of the country. V.Vh.'it will be the cf-
‘fcct. oftlie present tu_i-ill‘, us a more finaiiciul
lmeasure, remains to be determined. That it
l atiords any adequate protection to .-\iuci'icaii iii-
ldiistiry againsttlio pauper labor of Efiropc. is
I hurdly pretended. This subject. has been so
l fully discussed before the American people, and
lit is one. upon which the opinion of the Gene-
‘1‘l1l Assembly of this State has been so often ox-
lprcssad, that any further" discussion of it here
' would be out of place.
l Nor will I stop to discuss the sub-treasury sys-
'tcm. This, too, has been before. the American
people. and a judgment pronounced upon it,
\vhich,it would seem, could not be mistaken, ul-
though it may be, and has been, clisregardctl.
But there are other subjects connected with
the administration of the Federal Government,
of (loop interest not only to the people of this
State, but to all States in tlie Union, and calcu-
liitod to have an. important bearing on the inter-
ests nnd destinies of the nation. '
‘Va are the first time, in many years. "fl-
liappily involved in :1 war, and a war with a sis-
tcr republic, and while we pay ajust tribute to
the valor of our couiitmyiiicii, while we indulge
in a just national pride in those brillianttriumphs
which have crowned our arms, and which we
hailas the liui-biugers of 11 speedy peace, and
wliilo we would afford to the udmiiiistriition of
the General (loverniiient. every necessary aid
to enable it to bring to a successful termination,
yet we must: be pcrniiltcd to inquire, and the
Aiiicricaii people -will inquire into the 0ri_2'in,
the o/ijrrc/s, and the probable C01?8(’.([ItF77L’€S oftlils
war. Nor will tlicy fail to express their honest
opinions oftho conduct. ofthosc by Whom this
caliiiuity has been brought upon the country.
This course may bcdenouiiced as tre:isona-
blc, but these opinions will be expressed, and
those inquiries made, until we are brought. un-
der the douiinioii of it Government strong
cnougli to arrest. the current: of tliought:
The inquiry will be made why it. is that the
war coininences without the intervention of that
liraiiicli of tho Govt.-riinieiit to wliich alone the
Coiistitution has ciitrustcd todcclurc \vui'. For
wliut object it was commenced, and why the
blood and treasure of the country are poured
forth in its pros_ocutiou. ' H -
That this country liiid inziuy and well grouti-
ded causes of complaint; agaiiist the Mexicaii
(.iovernruent, is undoubtedly true. But. were
Ilicsc the real causes of the war? And is it for
these that the war is continued? “love it to
obtain payment of the sums due to our citizens
from the Mexican Government, or _to enforce
any other claim, that the,troops of the United
States were marched to the Rio Grrando, and
into fl. territory of which Mexico had always re-
tained thc civil and military possession? There
is, there can be no pretence that either the de-
mands we may have on the Mexican Govern-
ment, or the expenses of the war can be dis-
cliiilgcd in any other way than by it ccssion of
Mexican l0l‘1'll‘.G-l'y'. The question then arises,
do we want this tcri'itoi'y? . It. is iiidcod, con-
fessedly it war for the acquisition of tcri'itory.'
strength or permanency of the Union‘, by exten-
ding our jurisdiction overa country of vast extent,
and over a population alike ignorant of our insti-
tutions, and incapable of selt'governmorit?
But there is another aspect in which this
question is to be Viewed. mid in View of - which,
it becomes ono'6f fearful import to this country.
It is boldly announced by her leading statesmen;
that the object of the South in this acquisition
of territory, is that the institutions of the South,
or in other words, the slavcry of the South, may
be extended over it; and thus a. preponderance
be given to tho slaveliolding States in thc‘coun-
sels of the nation. And in this uvowal they are
doubtless sustained by this entire section of the
Union. \Vill the Free States of the “lost: and
the North éonserit to this? This question will
have to be met, and in what temper and. spirit,
we may learn from the past. The agitation of
the Missouri question shook the Union to its
foundation, and is Iliere no danger that in the ,
collision between the North and the South upon
this question, the. pillars of the Government may
be shaken, and the bonds of our hitherto happy
Union be broken in sander. 2 A t —
There should be, and I trust there is but one
sentiment among thefree Suites of the North
on this subject, and that semtiment should be in
my judgrrieut. fully and authoritatively expressed.
May we enter upon our duties in ii spirit of
mutual conciliation and kindness. Mnywisdom
iind huriuony pervade our « eliberations, and may
they result in the adoption of such measures, as
shallbc of lasting benefit to our constituents.
CLARK BISSELL.
'I‘iiUnsn.\v, May 6.
In the IIOUSE, Mr. Chapman offered a
series of resolutions for raising the usual
joint standing comuiittees, which were
passed. Resolutions for raising a select
joint standing committee’ on Militiiry Af-
fairs also passed. .
The C()l'til‘t|lll.(3€_? appointed to wait upon
the State Officers and announce their,elcc-
tion, reported that they ‘had attended to
the duty of, their appointment, and that
the officers enun=crated had expressed
their acceptance of their several offices
and were prepared to enter upon their
duties.
The Speal er announced Messrs. Wil-
ley, White,and Hoiclikiss of Woodbury,
as the Couirnittee on _Finance.
Joint Resolution, for raising a joint
committee on Railroads, consisling of
one Senator, and one Representative from
eagh county, passed on tl.e part of the
House. -
Petition of Anne Darling for renumera-
tion for official services ofher late husband,
the Hon. Noyes Darling 5. read and refer-
red to the committee on Claims.
The co_mmittcc on Unfinished Business
of the Last Session laid before the House
sundry petitions for alteration of the mili-
tia laws, and a bill for that puspose passed
by the last General Asseiubly and contin-
ued to this session, which were referred
to the committee on Military Affairs.
Also, a report on Taxation, and report on
Education, and Resolutions for sundry
Amendments of the [Constitution, which’
were severally laid upon the table.
The Resolutions for Amending the Con-
stitution were taken up. It was. ordered
that they lie upon the table and make the
special order for Thursday next, and that
‘.250 copies of each be printed for the use
of the House.
JlIcssr.'ge.—Thc subjects discussed in the
Message were referred, to the appropriate
committees. So much of the Message as
relates to the Registry Law and jiidicial
expenses was referred to the committee
on the Judicary, and so much as refers to
the Federal Government to the committee
on Federal Relations.
_l’cI<z'/2'o7;.s', djc. ]n'csent-rd.—Tliomas IV.
Williams and others for an act of incor-
po:a'ion to construct a Railroad—refcrred
to committee on Railroads—of Milo \Vai-
son and others for a law concerning the
sale of wines and spirituous liquors—laid
on thctablc; of Joseph W. I‘Illbbt'II and
others vs. the New York and New Haven
Railroad Co. for an alteration of their char-
committee on Railroads.
Mr. Lord of Bridgeport introduced bills
to authorize cities to exempt their bonds
from taxation in certain cases; concerning
the taxation of bank stock ; to tax real
estate belonging to banks and other cor-
porations to the same extent as if owned
by individuals; which were read twice
and referred to the joint committee on
Taxation. ,
FRIDAY, May 7.;
Petifibns, ac. Of T. A. Miller and others
for an act concerning the sale of intoxicat
ing liquors—laid on the table.
Of George Peck vs. the N. Y. &'N. H.
Railroad Co. for alterations in the charter
thereof-—c0inmittce' on Railroads.
Of Wm. H.Imlay and others’ for incor-
—coinmittee of Incorporations other than
Banks. '
Rernonstrance of IV. S. Jones and oth-
ers aginst certain privileges of" the N. Y.
aml N. H. Railroad Co.——comm. on R. R,
Bill presented by Mr. Roberts of Toy-
rington, to confirr_ri the doings of Asses,-.
sors in certain cases; by Mr. Marlboro,
concerning Marriage. ~ "
.x7_fm'iioon.—l\Ir. Bliss of Norwich, pre-.
scared the remonstrance of the Norwich
and Worcester Railroad against the con-
struction of n Railroad to New London on
the west bank of the river Thames—re.
ferred to the committee on Railroads.
Petition of the Centre Academy, Man.-..
chester, for the establishment of :1 Semin-
ary for Teachers; of J. R. Allen and oth-.
ers, teachers of common schools, for an.
appropriation for the employment of an.
Agent for_ Common Schools, and the-
establishment of a Teacher’s Seminary ;,
ofGeo. Hopson and others vs. the Hausa-.
tonic Railroad Co. for alteratioii of its.
charter and redress of grievances.
Of H. Wheeler and others, Daniel T,
Richards and others, and Joseph Ayre and
others, for an act to restrain the sale of‘
Patent Medicines. Severally referred to a
joint select committee.‘ - '
The Speaker announced the Standing-
Comniittees. ‘ A
Resolution, that until otherwise ordered,
the House will meet at 9 o’clock A-.3 M...
and 21-2 o’clock I’. M. paséed. ’
in the iiianagoiiieut of the fund, and in all the
And ‘Vlll 9")’ thing be §)._tl(lGd,‘Cll.l)C1_‘ to the
Iflfi
The House adjourned.
ter with reference to widening bridges-.
porations for purposes of mutual insurance .
Norwalk Chronicler