Norwalk Gazette, Tuesday, May 8, 1855 · page 2

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’"o°"!MtiliI-'.:'iiS"t”ia'ii' of "the West.
, _ SANDY HOOK, May, 2., -
_ The Steamship Star of the West ar-
rived at her wharf this evening, bringing
California dates to the 19th of April, five
hundred passengers and three hundred
and two thousand dollars specie. _
The U. S. Sloop of War of Jamestown
was ‘at Key West on the 28th. , .
The annual report of the San'Franci_s
'cieco Mint shows a total of 7.550.090 "3
coin aI.Ll..6..s13.4-.009 in. .lr%'.$-.. . .—
Ah'o'Ii't‘h'alf of the town of Jackson had
hen‘,__'g.3,!u-oyed fire, LOSS, 
The billprovidlng for the districting
of the State. passer! the-{Assembly Wm‘
an amendment, .which will render a spe-
cial election for Congressmen necessary
in Dec. next, and says the Alto California
deprive the State of its Representatives
in Congress for two or three months, as
flours.‘ Denver and Herbert can never
gettlieir seats. ’ ' -
Advices from Utah pfMarcl_: 15!, me!»
g;g._gh;_;_,c,ql, Sbteptoelz appointment to
plugged Brigham Young Gall-Sed. great
discontent, and petitions were in circuit;
tiou»; praying for the re-apP°m‘m°m

Annie

Young: . _
Dr. Garland Hart, the Indian eat
for U'ta_li,_had arrived at Salt Lake ity

and,’ catered upon lis duties. _ ‘_
Wglker, the farhs Utah Chief, mad
near Fillmore City on the 29th J anuagy.

___________________.
Atchison and Toucey.

The last new ticket for the, Presiden-
tial election is D. R. Atchison of Missouri
andlsaac Toucey of _ Connecticut. Of
course, it is nominated by the Missouri
invaders _of,Kansas,-—-the men Whogas
Governor Reeder says, took possession
of the_,t_er_ri_tory by force of arms, and held
it under the law of the banditti. The
candidates are good ones for their party.
Atobieori, a United States Senator, and

 »-Vice President of the United
States, left his seat in the Senate to or-

"no the invasion of Kansas. He
counseled and advised the men who
went with-arms in their hands to tram-
ple down the laws of the country and
the -laws of God. T-oucey, also a Sena-
tor,;in his place in the Senate, villified
and maligned his native State, denoun-
ced its Legislnture and characterized a
majority of its people as unprincipled po-
liticalpglvenlurers. e has been a wil-

 
 

ling, at for the extension of Southern
pow. rid the evil influence of slavery,
and ‘when requested to put one of his

own pripciples in practice by resigning
his he taunted his State and its
?’_"tare with their inability to get
rid ofihim. ,
Two such men will represent the peo-
ple w]io7:have~nominated them. In one
reapbhtphowever, the ticket difiers from
thatfgbnemlly put forward by the (so-,cal-
led) Democracy—they have put the
worst,ni_an last.—N. H. Courier.

 The N. Y. Tribune of Wednesday
given the following as a touching inci-
dent of the times: - i

"A. yourig lady, relates to us the follow-

ing :-—,‘.‘.As she passed along" Eight-st.
on Saturday, she saw a delicate looking
young woni_a_u coming out from a base-
ment, with a basket in her hand, con-
taining. .a few articles of needlework,
which it seems she was trying to sell
fromfdoor to door. She was in tears,
and was heard to exclaim ina low voice
“Must, I starve!” The lady accosted
her k‘i_"n'jdly, and perceived she was the
veryfpicture of distress. Though tidy
Ind father genteel in appearance, yet
wearing-a countenance that told but too
well she was famisliiiig for food. She
said, insubstance, that she was married,
hadfieoe-.child, was English, and hereto-
forelived comfortably, her husband
having‘-had good employment; but now
he had none; starvation was staring them
in the face. She had resorted to the
need.|e..to keep them alive, and had made
those little articles, and was trying to sell
thorn; but with poor success. None
could tell the distress she felt in being
cheapeued down in her prices. One la-
dy, ina carriage, had offered her ten
cents for a piece of work, the materials
of which were worth‘ eighteen pence.—-
She jloolred the lady in the face, she said
while her heart sunk within her. She’
entered one house, where a table was
set with food. She longed for some of
it, atidishoped it would be offered her,
but éitwas not; she ventured to ask for
some‘, but was refused, (by the domes-
tics,-Eno doubt.) She had read and heard
of sufferings, but never dreamed they
were such realities as she found tliem.—-
The lady narrating this, gave the poor
woman, sorne’change, but took nothing
from:-liar basket to diminish her little
stock of goods. There is a reward for
gnch.._as give to the needy. Let not
thoe_|'e,’th‘en, who occupy inviting man-
along,’ give too much authority to their
servants to repel the applicant from the
doorf They may thereby thrust away
“Angels -t,u_i_awaree._’ ”

 

‘A Fe;ao;fu1_. 1'~raged_r/_.—-The London
Tln§,'e_'e"laye. bgfore its readers the partic-
qlageiof a horrible affair which recently
occurred, near the Dutch settlement of
Transvaal, at the Cape of Good Hope;
andiwhich, we think, can only be par-
allel in atrocity among the achievements
of modern times by the. exploit of Mar-
ehal St, Arnaud in Algiers, when he
unomked;-and burned to death thousands
9!‘ pie) barbarian opponents who 'had
“ugh; refuge ina deep and spacious
ggyg, In the case of the Cape of Good
flopo, the Caffree Indians had murdered
i'aQfct'ober last, under circumstances of
great" barbarity, ten. or twelve women of
the, Dutch oettlement. Immediately
General Pretorious raised an army of five
hundred,‘ and, accompanied by Comman.
dar General Potgieter, proceeded on an
expeditioitto revenge the blood of their
victims. ’

After an absence of several weeks,
theyrcached some remarkable subterra-
nean caverns, half a mile in length, and
from 3 to 500 feet in width, where the
Calfres had entrenched themselves.-
Upon his arrival at the spot, General Pre-
torious attempted to blast the rocks above
the caverns, and thus crush the savages
beneath the ruins. The peculiar char-
acter of the stone, however, rendered
this scheme impracticable; and he then
stationed" his men around the mom}, of

tlie“caves, and built up walls in front of _

them. After a few days, many of the
women and children were driven by
hunger and thirst from their hiding-pla.
eee and were allowed to escape; but av.
eryimaih who came forth was shot dead
by their rifles.

On the 27th of November, at the close
of a--‘siege of three weeks, the besiegers,
seeing no sign of life. entered the caverns
and the silence within, together with the
horrible odor‘-arising from the bodies of
thevdaad, told how effectually their ob.
jact had been accomplished. More than
900-Caffres had been shot down at the
mouths of the ‘caverns, and a’ much grea-
ter number had perished by slow degrees
eadering all the starvation in the gloomy

 within.

 

" ' gas , Beds-About the latter
eadjofthei; month, fork in some well rot.
tollllllontiro, guano, and give the beds a
dreheing‘ ofa-mixture of three parts ash.
. 3.; uh’ . :1...-

 A

 

dlntuttllntl Eitlllslatlltt. 
MAY SESSION---1855.
Wnonesmir Moamno, Ma)’ 2-
Senate.—-Tlie Senate was called W
order at ten o’clock by the Secretary °f
the State. Twenty Senators were pres-

emfion. James F. Babcock of New Ha-

ven’ was elected President ?7'0 £9771 Of
the Senate.

On taking the dial’: M’-
iiiade the following remarks :

“Senator's: Itender you my thanks
for your generous confidence in select-
ing me for the distinguished position to
which I am - called—that of presiding
over your deliberationsin the absence
of your constitutional President.

There is not an important trust in the
gift" of our venerable and venerated
Commonwealth that is not one of digni-
ty and honor. Her fame, her character,
her history, are all alike dear to us all ;
and although we may differ in political
sentiments, we all desire her prosperity
and the increase of her influence among
her sister States. That your labor: may
conduce towards these results is my 31"-
dent desire. -
While I thank you, Senators, for the
mark of respect and confidence receivsd
at your hands, I earnestly solicit your
support and indulgence on every occa-
sion which may bring me to the chair.
On my part, I pledge uuhesitatingly the
impartiality and attention which every
Senator has a right to expect “from a
faithful presiding officer.

Orville H. Plait was chosen clerk of
the Senate, who administered the oath
to the Senators present.

Messrs. Ferry, Prentiss and Jennings,

were chosen a Com. on Contested Elec-

tions. '

Thomas M. Day was appointed St-ate

Printer on the part of the Senate.

Hon. Mr. Lee was appointed a Com.

on the part of the Senate, to inform the

Governor of the organization of the As-

sembly.

P The Senate then adjourned until’ 2

' Babeock

Afternoon Session.

The Senate couveiied at 2 o’clock.
The Corn. appointed to wait upon the
Governor, reported that he would com-
municate with the Assembly.

It was resolved that the Convention
of the two Houses, for the election of
State officers should be held-to morro .v.
morning at half past eight.

Adjourned. ' ’
1‘rouse.—-The House assembled at 10
o'clock, and was called to order.by Mr.
Clark, of Bethany, he being the oldest
member. Prayer was offered by Rev.
Dr. Hawes. '_
The House were then called upon to
elect a Speaker, and the following. gen-
tlemen were appointed tellers---Phelps
of Simsbury, English of New Haven,
Davis of Fairfield, and Minor of Wood-
bury. The following was the result of
the ballotting :

VVhole number of votes
Necessary to a choice
Au"-‘tin Baldwin had 166
Alfred Blackman 56-omaj. 00
Mr. Baldwin having a majorit of
votes was declared duly elected,_ and
came forward and addressed the House
as follows :

“Gentlemen of the House of Repre-
ss72tczta't'e.s : I cannot feel otherwise than
grateful for this manifestation of your
confidence and regard in calling upon
me to preside over your deliberations,
and to perform the delicate and respon-
sible duties connected with this position

212
107

your partiality than to any evidence of
peculiar ability which I have ever had
an opportunity to exhibit.

In entering upon the discharge of this
important trust I liavetlie fullest confi-

dence of your support in maintaining

the dignities and decorum due to this
body as the partial representation of a-
Popular Sovereignty, which, though not
invested with the costly robes and glit-
tering emblems of royalty, yet stands en-
tlironcd in majesty upon the peoples
will, before which we may all how with
respectful reverence, without thefeeling
of self abasement. ‘

Having no other object to accomplish
than to maintain the respect of my fellow
citizens, I shall endeavor to discharge
the dutiesvoa have imposed upon me
wiih fidelity to the State and with strict
impartiality towards every member of
this honorable body, and I shall exert
myself with your assistance to preserve
that courtesy in debate which is essen-
tial to the preservation of amiable rela-
tions among the members of this House
and to sustain the reputation which our
State has acquired of affording a bene-
ficial example of legislative decorum
which has been elsewhere too frequen-
tly neglected.

I trust I shall be excused for sugges-
-ting that as our duties here must be at-
tended to by all with considerable per-
soual sacrifice, and as the prolongation
of the session beyond the time which the
interest of the State demnudsjs an un-
necessary burthen upon the public treas-
ury, we should adopt such measures as
will best facilitate the public business,
with avicw of making the session as
short as a strict rogard to the faithful
performance of our duties will admit, I
would not, however, be’ understood at
urging dispatch so far as would not af
ford ample time for what legislation tine
rapid progress of the present age, the
continued change of surrounding cir-
cumstances, and our relations with the
Federal Union may require.

Hoping that with your aid I may suc-
ceed in discharging my duties here to

throw myself upon your clemency for
whatever error a want of judgment or
experience may occa-3:'on. I now gen-
tlemen await your pleasure in present-
ing the business of the House.”
. ' The House then proceeded to ballot
for Clerk : -
Francis E. Harrrlson had 158
Goodwin Collies 49--uiaj._109

A message was received from the
Governor, stating that his Excellency
would shortly send a communication to
the House in writing.

House then adjourned.

Afternoon Session.

HARTFORD, May 3--'l‘he Legislature
this morning elected Wm. T. Minor,
Governor of the State for the ensuing
year. The vote was for Minor 177-for
Ingham 70. The other k.’ n. State Of-
ficers were elected.

‘GOVERNOBBS MESSAGE.

Mr. President and Senators :
Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the
Home of Representatives":
1_n entering upon the discharge of the
duties of that high office to which the
suffrages of the people of this State, and
Your ]Olnt action under the constitution,
h“ called me. you will permit me to
°_3PT°_93 30 Y0“ my gratitude for this dis-
tinguished mark of your and their confi-
dence. I am not unmindful of the sol-
emn obligations and responsibilities that
are thrown upon me; and shall endeav.
or so to act with reference to them, that
the interests of our State shallbe protec.
ted, and its honor remain uusiillied. I

V

 

for whicliI must be indebted more to .

the satisfaction of all, I shall in advance,

You are assembled, gentleinen, in ac-
cordance with the provisions of our cou-
stitution, to legislate for our beloved
Commonwealth, to ascertain what new
interests have arisen, and adopt such
provisions as you shall deem adequate
to their just protections, to search out
abuses that have crept into our present
system, and apply the proper remedy for
the correction of those abuses.

In he-prosecution of our labors, may
we all look to that Supreme Being in
whose hands are the destinies of nations
to uphold, as he has hitherto done, and
so to. direct us that all our measures may
be dictated by prudence and wisdom.

In every _constitutional government,
changes are constantly occurring. new
interests are yearly arising, and new
feelings are growing out of the progres-
sive spirit of our people all requiring
some alterations of the organic law.--
Our Constitution contains an admirable
provision permitting such alterations to
be made--a provision, which while it
prevents hasty,‘ action,_‘_ yet will allow
such amendments as are demanded by
the people. In accordance with this
P1'°Vi9i<?n, the House of’ Representatives
of last year originated three’ alterations‘
of the constitution, all of which will re-
ceive your attention. One providing for
a singlecapital fo; this State, and requi-
ring the legislature of 1856 to designate
the place. Another, that each town in
this Statevshall be entitled to one repre-
sentat1ve"onl_v, in the General Assembly

and the third, that all male citizens of

the United States-who shall have attain-
ed to the age of twenty-one years, hav-
ing reaided in the State for the length
of time now required bythe constitution
and Sustaining a good moral character,
shall be electors ; and requiring fugher,
that every person shall be able. to read
any article of the constitution, or any
section of the statutes of this State, be-
fore being admitted as an elector.

The first two of these amendments
are to be decided as questions of policy,
and I have no doubt that they will be
carefully considered by you, and correct.
ly acted upon. The third,while it pro-
poses to extend the elective franchise to
a large class of the citizens of our state
also guards the purity and integrity of
that franchise. The people of this State
are the makers of its constitution, and
in that instrument they have reserved
the right of deciding what changes
shall be made. To their decision, this,
as well as all other proposed, alterations,
must be referred, upon an infirmative ac.
tiou of the General Assembly, indicated
by a vote of two thirds of the Senate
and House of Representatives. Inev-
ory thing that has reference to the im-
pol-taut question of elective franchise,
either to its extension or restriction,

‘whenever such extension or restriction

is demanded by any considerable portion
of the community, the legislature ought
not_to prevent final action by the people,
unless some stern principle of right
stands in the way. If those of our cit-
izens to whom it is proposed to extend
the elective franchise, are in the main
moraland industrious, and qualified to
act underetandingly, whenever called
upoli to exercise this privilege, it is dif-
‘Iicult, to understand why this, the high-
est right of a freeman, should not be
conferred upon them—-on the contrary,
the theory of our government, and jus-
rice to them seem to require that it
should be; neither in my opinion will
this extension of the franchise be atten-
ded with results improper or inconveni-
ent. In any event, it will ‘be safe to
leave this question, for final decision, to
that tribunal where it is left by the con-
stitution. '

The latter portion of this proposed
amendment, requiring that every citizen
before his admission to the rights of an
elector, shall be able to read some por-
tion of the constitution or the statutes,
is better calculated, to restore the elec-
tive franchise to its primitive purity than
any other method that could be devised.
The proposition is founded upon the
idea that popular education should be
the foundation of this, as it confessedly
is of all our institutions, Your action
upon all these amendments will be such
as you shall deem right and proper.

The agricultural interest of the State
should receive such encouragement at
your hands as its importance demands.
Whatever advances_ the prosperity of
agriculture, equally advances .the pros-
perity of our State. ~ The progressive
spirit of the age has made itself felt in
the art of tilling the earth, it‘ has devel-
oped new sources of wealth in every-
thing that appertains lo the business of
cultivating the soil,_and placed agricul-
ture among the sciences. County agri-
culturalsocietics have been established,
and their annual meetings have been at-
tended with the best results. These
meetings have been confined to the
counties in whicllthe societies are loca-
ted, and their benefits have consequent-
ly been limited. Last year the State
Society originated the plan of a State
agricultural fair,anrl for the purpose of
enabling the society to make a credita-
ble display of the products of me State,
the General Assembly appropriated the
sum of $2,500, The results of that
fair were all that its most sanguine
friends had anticipated. It is proposed
to hold another fair at Hartford during
the coming season, and the liberality of
the State will again be appealed for an-
other appropriation in aid of this very
deserving object. I recommend the nint-
ter to your favorable consideration.

The report of the Commissioner of
the School Fund will give in detail the
present condition of that fund. Its in-
come the past year has amounted to
$l29.108,75 which has been divided ac-

l38 childreli at the rate of 951,25 to each
child. There has been an increase of
the number of children between the
"ages of 4 and 16, during the past year,’
of 1,158. If the same increase should
hereafter continue, and the income
of the fund remain the same, the
dividend to each child, must necessarily
be diminished ina ratio corresponding
with such increase. Our present school
fund is an example of the munificent
provision made by those who have pre-
ceded us for educational purposes.

Its originators did well their duty to
the times in which they lived— butI
cannot forii moment suppose _that they
intended to throw upon that fund the
entire burden of educating the youth
of this State, and to relieve parents
and the community ‘-generally from
any responsibility in -the matter.—
Former legislatures have deemed it
proper to establish a Normal School
peculiarly for the education of teachers
——they have made appropriations for
county conventions of teachers, and

superintendent, whose duty it is to look
after the interests of education in this
State. ' ‘

The report of that superiutendent,and
of the trustees of the Normal School,
will be bbfore you, demonstrating’ the
great benefits that have already accrued
from these provisions. But legislation
inthia State is not yet exhausted. 10
make our common schools what t ey
should be—-second to nolie, equal to the

best.__ Every town should have within

cording to our present laws among 100,-‘

have provided for the appointment of s’

its limits 3. common school in which not
olilythc rudiments of an ordinary edu-
cation may be acquired, but everything
requisite to qualify its pupils to become
useful and honorable citizens of a free
republican government, iuwhatever sit-
uation they may be placed. If a libra-
ry of reference books should be provi-
ded for every school district in the State,
a great impulse would be given to edu-
cation-.—-new thoughts and suggestions
would be originated in the minds of the
pupils, and facilities of communicating
information would be furnished to the
teachers, which they could derive from
no other source. I do not believe that
the State should be called upon to fur.
nish such libraries, but if the Superin-
teudent of Common Schools should be
directed to sand to each school district

receive the same, from its improvement
and manifest interest in education, one
copy of Webster's unabridged dictiona-
fl’. an inducement would be presented
to, the district to procure other books of
the same character. Our sister States
of Massachusetts and New York, have
pursued this course, with good results
in the cause of education. If you are
satisfied that it is right to adopt the sug-
gestion,,ari additional reason may be
found in the fact that the author of this
great standard American work was a
native of Connecticut, and efpentled al-
most the whole of his life in untiriiig la-
bor upon the composition of that work
which will remain an imperishable mon-
ument to his name. But the education
of teachers at the Normal School, and’
their preparation for the noble work to
which they are to devote their time and
talents-—the appropriations for the en-
couragement of county conventions of
teachers, and the establishment of libra-
ries in every school district will be in
vain, unless the entire community are
brought to feel an interest in the moral
and mental training and discipline of
the whole youth of the State, and if no
other method can be devised, I shall
cheerfully co-operate with you in ma-
king our common schools free; for such
in my opinion, the true policy of our
government, requires that they should
be. i

The last General Assembly passed 5,
law for the suppression of intemperance.
That law, founded upon the pripciple of
prohibition, was drafted with great care,
and it is confidently believed that all of
its provisions are sanctioned by the Con-
stitution. The numerous evils at which
that law is directed are so well known
‘and generally admitted that it is unnece-
sary to particularize them. The efforts
of good and philanthropic men had been
for along time directed to the remedy
for these evils.. At one time the_ legisla-
tion of this State was founded upon the
idea of legalizing the sale of intoxica-
ting liquors as a beverage under the res-
trictions of the license system, again the
whole matter was left to moral means.
It has been found difficult to convince
the people of the justice of the former,
and the latter, although successful up to
a certain point, has been found to be in-
efiicacious against the efforts of those
engaged in the traffic, on account of the
large profit incident to it, I have _gl-
ready said that I believe the law of last
year to be constitutional; if constitu-
tional, is it right? To deride this ques-
tion, it is necessary ‘to understand the
effect of the_,law since it has gone into
operation. So far as my observation has
extended, the effect has "been highly ben-
eficial. In certain localities comparative
peace and quiet now are found, where
previous to the first day of August last,
riots and afirays were of almost weekly
occurrence. In other localities crimes
such as ordinarily proceed from the iii-
temperate use of intoxicating liquors
have been much less frequent since than
before the first day of August, and eve-
rywhere with few exceptions, I have
every reason to believe from observation
and information derived from others,that
the law has been enforced, and the daily
public traffic in intoxicating liquors has
been broken up and abandoned.

I do not mean to say that the entire
traffic has been broken up, for doubtless
many who have been engaged in it ei-
ther from choice or for gain, have ' de-
vised means still to continue it to a cei’-
tain extent in secret. It is the same as
in‘ all matters which the policy of our
‘laws is obliged to declare criminal. In
fine, the effect of the law has been such
as to recommend it to general favor, and
very many individuals, honestly and sin-
cerely opposed to the law at the time of
its paisage, are now firm advocates of its
continuance, believing as they do that
byit the value of ‘property has been en-
hanced,-—-crlme has been lessened, pov-
erly and misery alleviated, and the hap-
piness of many a fireside restored. I
therefore not only believe the law to be
constitutional, but right; and should re-
gard its repeal or modification to be‘det-
rimental to the best interest of our State.

The balance in the Treasury at the
end of the last fiscal year, to the credit of
the civil list, was $36,401 56. You are
well advised, gentlemen, that claims are
frequently made upon a full treasury,
that under other circumstances would
never have been presented. These are
to be cautiously scrutinized, and allow-
ed only so far as they may be just- -but
there are claims foulided- on humanity,
the justice of which former legislatures
have recognized, which I trust will be
met with liberal appropriations on your
part. I refer to the claims of thedeaf
and dumb, the blind, the insane poor, and
the inmates of the hospital. Your con-
stituents expect that you will continue
the provislons that have heretofore been
made for these unfortunate beings.

There is another class, the idiotic, for
whom no appropriation has as yet been
made. They certainly are equally un-
fortunate and equally deserving as the
object of the State's noble cliarities.——
Whenever a well systematized effort has
been made with reference to the improve-
ment of the idiotic, m:.ch good has resul-
ted, their condition has been ameliorated
and light has been thrown into the dar-
kened_chambers of their mind.

It will be difiicult for you at the pres-
ent time to appropriate any thing judi-
ciously for the idiotic, from want of facts
and statistics to guide you--but I _recoin-
mend that you take the necessary steps
to ascertain the number of idiotic in the
State, their present condition, the prob-
abilities of improvement and everything’
requisite to enable a future Legislature
to act wisely and humanely with refer-
ence to this class.

Intimately connected with this sub-
ject of appropriations for humane alid
charitable purposes,’ is the reformation
of juvenile offenders. The General Ae-
seuibly, at its session in 185], made an
appropriation of $10,000 for a Reform
School, which was subsequently estab-
lished at Meriden. Since that period,
the School has received in direct appro-
priations, aiid from bank bonusses, 3,511,-
200. A little more than a year since,
the school went into operation, with 144 ~
acres of land, and buildings capable of
accommodating 116 boys. There have
been confined there since the commence-
ment of the school, 142; and on the 16
day of April last, 140 boys, from all parts
of the State, were there, not confined as

that in his opinion should be entitled to"

_der the constitution at

criminals, upon whom theudarlt mark of
infamy should remain stamped during
life—crushiug out hope from their souls;

but their minds and moralscared for, and.

their reformation attempted. Experi-
ence has shown that a successful appeal
to the hope and’ ambition of a youthful
offender, will wcrk a complete reforma-
tion-—and it has also shown that file con-
finement of such offender with the bar-
dened criminal, almost invariably, makes
the two, companions in crime and feel-
ing. The object of punishment is the
prevention of crime——and no more cer-
tain means can be devised to prevent
crime, than the reformation of the offen-
der. I have the fullest confidence that
the State Reform School is accomplish-
ing great good, not only to those confined
there, but to the State. You will have
before you the Report of the Trustees
of this Institution, particularly calling
your attention to its wants, and detailing
its benefits. Any legislation that should
essentially. interfere with this Institution
or should fail to extend its blessings and
advantages, I should deem injurious to
the State, and the cause of humanity.
The judicial expenses of the State for

the past year have been $54,320 61.-

The largely increasing amount of these
expenses during the few past years has
frequently engaged the attention of the
Legislature. At the last session a com-
mittee was appointed to investigate the
matter ;-their report will be before you
for such action on your part as its diar-
acter demands. It is the duty of every
well regulaled republican government
not 0 ly to furnish to its citizens meth-
ods ‘ the redress of grievances and en-
forcement of claims, but also to take care
that its constltion and laws are so fram-
ed that none of its citizens shall be de-
terred from the attempt to enforce a just
claim on account of the delay and diffi-
culties attendant upon it. During the
few past years very much complaint has

been made by the people of this State in

relation to the great delay in the prose-
cution of causes before courts of justice.
The evil is not confined to one section of
the country, but is so co-extensive with
the limits of the State. In some of the
larger counties causes have been pending
before the superior court awaiting their
turn for trial for a period of more than
two years. The injury must be great or
the claim large that will induce any citi-
zen to attempt the redress» of the one or
the collection of the other, when he is
honestly assured that he must patiently
wait at least two years before adetermi-
nation of the suit. The delay is notthe
only hardship that is suffered by suitors
before our courts; but consequent upon
that delay and necessarily growing out
of it, is the largely increased amount of
cost and expenses connected with the
prosecution of every suit. In very many
instances the two causes to which I have
referred operate practically as adenial of
justice. While all admit the evil, the
remedy is a question of more difficult so-
lution. If a thorough reorganization
of the judiciary system sllould be deem-
ed the most advisable under the circum-
stances, that cannot be effected except
by a change of the constitution; but a
very great improvement of the present
state of things can be accomplished un-
der the e’x'istiug provisions of the organ-
ic law.

In deciding upon a remedy it may be
well to ascertain the causes of the evils.
Our present saystcm was organized un-
the time of its
adoption, and silice that period, for more
than thirty years, it has remained sub-
stantially the same ; no addition has
been made to the number of our judges,
and but little, if any, additional facilities
furnished for the trial of caus'es. ‘ If the
situation of the Stale were the same now
as to its population, and its different in-
terests, probably no cause of complaint
would exist; but since that period our
population has been steadily increasing
new manufacturing interests, to a
large extent, have _been created, under
the enactments of various legislatures
and a large number of railroads have
been constructed, spreading all over the
State. From these causes originates lili-
gatlon not contemplated by the legisla-
tures which established our present ju-
dicial system; new legal questions are
constantly arising growing out of the
manufacturing and railroad interests,
each of which has been and probably
will continue to be for years yet to come
a fruitful source of litigation.

The consequeucehas been, that the
dockets of our courts have been ‘encum-
bered to such an extent that it has been
found to be impossible to do that justice
to parties that their rights required.-
Again, the judges of the Superior Court
are now required to performe circuit du-
ty, and also to expend eight weeks yearly
in the different counties as a Court of Er-
rors, to revise questions of law that may
have arisen in the Superior Court—a du-
ty onerous upon them and requiring
much time that otherwise might be oc-
cupied ili the trial ofjury causes.

Under the Constitution, gentlemen,
you have the power to increase the num-
ber of the judges of the Superior Court,
and, in my opinion, duty to yourselves
and to your constituents requires that
such an increase, somewhat commensu-
rate with the increased wants and de-
mands of the community, should be
made. We now have laws refer-
ring, upon the motion of either party, a
large class of cases-those of book debt
and account—--to auditors; and also up-
on*the agreement of both parties, actions
of assumpsit. I know of no reason, ex-
cept it’be a constitutional one, why all
actions founded in contract should not
upon the motion of either party he re-
ferred to auditors, as well as actions of
book debt and account.

The Constitution provides that the
fight of trial by jury shall remain invio.
late, and no action of yours should in the
1'38“ impair that right; _but you mayim-
11096 conditions upon jury trials without
a violation of theiorganic law. While,
therefore, you cannot provide that all ac-
lions founded on contract shall at the re-
qllest of either party he referred by our
courts to auditors; yet the constitution
will sanction an enactment depriving the
party objecting to such reference of the
right to recover costs, after so objecting.
Auditors are now ap ointed by the court
upon each case sepagtely, in which, by
law such appointments may be made.-—--
It needs no argument to convince you
that it will always be difficult, and some
times impossible, to dispose of the cases
thus referred between the sessions of the
courts, on accoulit of the conflicting en-
gagements that under the circumstances
must necessarily be made. If a board,
to consist of the proper number, to be
called auditors or referees, should, be
yearly appointed for each County, to
whom all cases of book debt account and
assumpsit in any of the courts in such
County shall be referred,and it be made
the duly ofsuch board immediately after
the adjournment of each court to meal
and make provision for the trial of all
the causes referred to them, all conflict-
iug eiiflageniehts would be avoided and
very much more accomplished than un-
der the present system. Aliy ‘ improve-
lneut, gentlemen, of the present judicial
system will be attended with cost to the
State. If it is right that such improve-

‘forced upon us; and thereby alarge
‘which was aolemnly<'based all our laws and constitutions..-

‘ eight hundred tliousaiid will annually be

and the disposition to learn the character

merit should be made, the additional cost
upon sound principles, must be regarded
as economical. Ifin any event the people
require action by you, and if that action
be dictated by a feeling for lhe best in-
terests of ‘the Commonwealth, their ap-
proval will sanction it. If then the nam-
ber of our Superior Court Judges be in-
creased—a board of referees be appoint-
ed for each County, and all cases found-
ed on _contract be referred to such board
under suitable provisions with reference
to the preservation of the Constitutional
rights of the parties, I have the most en-
tire confidence that good and great good
will result. I earnestly recommend the
whole subject to your favorable conside-
ration, and hope that thejust complaints:
of the community will be heard, and a
remedy provided.

The banking institutions of our State
are belieyed to be in a sound and licalll.-y
condition, and generally attentive to the
wants of the_comziiuni:y in which flirty
are located. The report of the commie-
sioners will give in detail the sitizatioii
of each bank, accompanied by such sa._-:-
geations as may be necessary to eiialile
these institutions to carry out more fully
the designs of their creation.

The militia of our State should rec eive
thefostering care of the legislature-to
them we must look for defence in case of
foreign invasion, and\ for protection to
our persons and property in time of (lo-
mestic insurrection, and well will they
discharge their duties if at any time they
are called upon to act, in one case or lhe
other. They compare favorably with
the militia of our Sister States, and take
"pride in sustaining the reputation coni-
menced by the citizen soldiery of Con-
necticut on the battle fields of the Rev-
olution, and sustained in all the wars in
which the contrary has been engaged.—--
"In time of peace prepare for war,” is a
dictate of sound wisdom, and calls upon
us to sustain this right arm of our de-
fence. Tlie last General-Assembly pas-
sed a law satisfactory to the militia of
the State, and which it is believed will
protect and promote their interest.’

Since the passage by Congress of the
act organizing the territories of Kanzas
and Nebraska, the people of this State
have once before expressed their» senti-
ments in relation to that act of Congress,
and again the election that has just taken
place they have reiterated their emphat-
ic condemnation of the measure. No
action of Congress has ever awakened
such a feeling of indignation at the
North as their wanton violation of a sul-
emn compact; for although the Mission
compromise was but an act of the Legis-
lature, yet it had ever been regarded by
the whole nation as a compact, and as
such had been acquiesced in. The orig-
inal compromise was forced upon the
North, and after the slgye power had
derived all its benefits from the measure
again its repeal wa_s by the same power

tract of territory
dedicated to freedom, by the original
compromise, was seized upon for the ex-
tension of the political slave power; and
all was accomplished under the delu-
ding cry of popular sovereignty, exhibi-
tions of which have been witnessed in
the elections that have lately taken place
in those terri ‘es.

Ishall chee ully cooperate with you
in any further legislation that. in your
opinion may be necessary to protect the
just rights of our State.

There is another topic not only of in-
terest to this Slate but to the nation,
which the selizimeiit of the people re-
quires should be pres.-=.iited to you. I re-
fer io the foreign immigration, which
from its extent and character, and the
pernicious influence arising from it, has
excited the just alarm of our citizens.-—
The bad government, misrule and pov-
erty of the comiiicm.-rl nations of Europe
With the revoluzioiiary struggles that
have agitating»; them for the last few
years, have turned the attention of large
masses of their citizens to some other
home for theinselvrs and their posterity,
and their eyes have been naturally direc-
ted to our country. From these causes
a strong and increasing current of immi-
gration has been setting towarh our
shores. Tlie-surriberiof immigrants now
annually coming among us is about
four hundred thousand; in 1845 the
number was two hundred thousand.;-—-
With a corresponding increase during the
next ten years, at the end of that period

brought to our shores.

The large mass of aliens, some of them
tinctured with the social infidelity of
continental Europe——very many of them
blind followers of an ecclesiastical des-
potism—a large majority of them with-
out correct ideas of the duties appertain-
ing to citizen.» of a republican govern-
ment, and by early prejudices totally uri-
fited to learn them—-differing in language
in national r.-.iistonis and feelings, and
scattered all over the country, still with
tenacity holding on to and observing
those customs,—and from among them,
as appears from the statistics of ‘ crime
and pauperism in the different states in
this Union, comes :1 majority of the in-
mates of our prisons and aImshouses—
when these things are considered; and
in addition the facts that our taxes are
largely increased for the support of our
foreign pdpii|atiou,—-that in many in-
stances the almhouses of the old world
have been emptied, their prison doors are
thrown open, and the inmates of both
transported by their governments to our
shores-—a wise regard for oursafety as a
nation requires additional legislation
with reference to foreign immigration.

The early founders of our government
could not possibly have anticipated the
damages tliativoiild arise to, their coun-
try from this mailer; else, with their
jealousies of foreign influences, against
which the American people were solemn
Iy warned, some measures would have
been devised to guard against that danger.

If the iminigratiori had continued the
same, as to its extent and character, as
during the first thirty years ofour nation-
ai existence, no just cause of our appre-
hension would have existed. Then com-
paratively but few came among us, and
most of those were political refugees
fleeing froln persecutioii at liome-—but
how in five years a number almost equal
to the population of the United States
when the struggle of the revolutioli com-
menced, is added to our population.----
Every country of Europe is pouring its
masses in upon us from every condition
of life, with customs, prejudices and Ian-
guagc all differ_in«r. The nations of each
country reliiaiu isolated and distinct from
those of auoilier, as well as 'from
our own citizens, and it is found a diffi-
cult problem in statemanship, to blend
together all these conflicting elements so .
that the whole may be harmonious.

I would not willingly do injustice to
any portion of our foreign population-— I
some oflhem I know are intelligent and l
educated, '\Vl£ll the ability to understand ’

of our institutions; they have left he-
hind them the ties of childhood, the asso-
ciations of nation and kilidred, and en-
deavor faithfully 10 discharge the duties
of true and loyal citizens of the govern-
ment, and these, too, must recognize the
evils connected with excessive foreign

tent and'character of iiiimigration, per-
halis all danger might be avoided; bill
‘be large mass of our alien population,
after a residence of five years only airiong
"3: are admitted to citizenship with all
"he P°W9rs and rights incident tlierclo,
‘""°‘l“alme(l with the characterof our
%°"’°mment and its institutions, very ma-
“? 0f them thoroughly imbued with the

duty of the ruled, they are but poorly :3-,.
ted to appreciate or discharge the (ili3l:_‘.-'

Ouffinen P°_P11latio:i certainly cal.-not
demand, as a right, that the privil»:,<;.. 5,;
Our laws guarantee to them iirot-.=.c-.mi
“to their persons and properly, and :21,-.

that can be conferred by government lip.
on the foreign born, and with the eX(‘€j.»-

that incident to citizenship are the pow-
er to make our laws and the right lobe-
colne our rulers, we may well be startled
at the imminent danger to be apprelien-
ded from the operation of our pres--ni
naturalization laws, which, wrong, in

on account of the loose manner in Whitth
they are administered.

ulation, social, political and military-—
are existing all over the country. So
far as social combinations do not inter-
fere with or disturb the rights of others,
they should remain unmolested. The
political organizations, so far as they are
now ,existing, composed of naturalized
citizens, cannot be disturbed; but I do
not believe that military companies, to
consist entirely of foreign born citizens,
should be formed. Every thing about
such a company reminds its members
not thatthey are American citizens, but
that they owe allegiance yet to their na-
tive land.

A very large number of our foreign
citizens are members of a church, the
spiritual head of which owes no allegi-
ance to our Government or its laws--
that church, as a matter of history, ex-
acts the most implicit obedience from its
members, who generally are very zeal.
o_us and devoted to its interests; and so
far as it attends only to spiritual matters
it should not be interfered with, but the
protection of our constitution and laws
should be extended to it the same as to
all our other religious denolninations. A
different course would be in violation of
all the principles of our Governmelit ;-
for when our forefathers landed on Ply-
mouth Rock, driven from their native
home by religious persecution, they
laid the foundation deep and broad,
of freedom of conscience and religious
toleration. Upon that foundation are

Every resident of this country has, and
should have, the right to worship his
Maker according to the dictates of his
conscience, and when that right is seri-
ously invaded will have commenced the
downfall of America's Liberty. May
that day be ever in the future!

But as a matter of a policy connected
with the privilege of citizcnsliip to be
'-conferred upon the alien, we have the
right to enquire how far the allegiance
due from the members of the Romish
Church to their foreign spiritual head
is compatible with the allegiance due
their adopted country; and if we find
that combinations for political action ex-
ists, composed of members of this church
throwing their entire vote one way or
the other, as the wishes and feelings and
interests of those controlling may dictate
and farther, if we find that these combi-
nations are but instruments in the hands
of demagogues, either ‘native born or
thrown upon our shares by the revolu.
tionary upbeavings of Europe ; then a
strong reason is formed, why a longer
residence should be required before the
alien can be naturalized.

The subjects of emmigration and rial
uralization are matters that can only be-
acted upon by tlie_national legislature,
But so far as olir own State is caiiceriipd
you have the right to say who can exer-
cise the privileges of freemen to make
our laws and rule over us. You liare
also the right to express your seiitimerils
upon any questions of general interests,
and that expression will have the efIeci
to assist in creating an American feeling
and action throughout the country ; will
give us thoroughly imbued with those
feelings to rule over us in all the depart-
ments of ‘government, and to represent
our interests abroad; will help restore
our government to our primitive pufity ;
will nationalize our army and navy ;-
will cement the bonds of our national uri-
ion, and will make our country greal
and prosperous.

- May conciliation and liarniony char-
actrize all your proceedings-—may pai-
riotism direct you for your country allsl
your country's gdod -—and may the great
Supreme Being watch over all your la-
bors, that they may renouud to l.lie,lioli-
or and prosperity of our beloved Stale.
' General Assembly, May, i855.

VVILLIAM T. MINOR.

The Reciprocity Treaty wz'zIz. B7‘id-
ssh America.--The several provincial
parliaments, and the supreme. one of all
at home, having given their official ap-

ly negotiated between Great Britain and
the United States, for the free pzissiiszc
of products between the territory of the

tiuent, the measure has now gone l!liO

lull and active operation. Preside.-ill
Pierce has issued his proclamation to
that effect. The following isa list of tin.-
produce which by this arrangement, may
be freely exchanged with our Canal}:-.
and Nova Scotia neighbors: '

Grain, flour, and breadsliifis of all
kinds, animals of all kind-, Il'eSil, slur.
ked and salted meats, cott:>;iwocr.l, seeds,
and vegetables, undried fruits, lisii of all
kinds, products of fisli and all calm»
creatures living in the water, poultry,
eggs, hides, furs. skim, or ‘.=.ii‘.s iindr«_-5
sed, stone or marble in its crude or lin-
wrought state, slate, butter, clieesc, tal.
low, lard, horns, manures, ore: of metals
of all kindsfcoal, pitch, tar, tiirpeiitizie,
ashes, timber and lumber of all lziiids,
round, hewed and saws-d, iinmaiiulac.
tured in whole or in part, firev.-‘oor_l,
plants, shrubs and trees, p.<:i:s_ wool, 5-zl,
oil, rice, broom corn an hark‘, g;3.'p.v.iiri
ground or ungrouiid, I’l€V.’1'I or -...‘~.~«.-uni;
burr or grindsrones, dye 51 Liffs, flax, iieiiip
and tow unmanufactured, llI1l‘nalil‘lla!.‘.-
tlired tobacco, rags.——Ja-:n'. rgf Com.

fie Where twenty persons have >.io:u:1cii=.
but one has brains, hence b1‘<‘i”H‘l'-i‘ «’-’1'0'~°V rid!
while printers remain pool‘-

 

_______________.___...

w, A family named Lawrence, living’ at
Water-town, Mass, have been cleclnrodby the
English Court of Chancery, to bathe heirs to
a fortune of one hundred and twenty millions

of dollars-

itnuiigration.

- at

If the evils were confined to the ex-

feelings that resistance to rulers is zl..- .j
Of Citizens Of a republican governniema. l

citizenship shall be granted to zheir:.-- ‘

or that citizenship is the highest been 3

tion of ours is only granted by other !la- 
tious as an especial favor; and farther 1

themselves, are still more objectionabl-e '

Again, combinations of our alien pop»

provals to the commercial treaty recelit- ,

latter and that of the former on this cm:- _

'iil’il~ 

; Norwaik, Tuesday, May 8, 1855.

 

_ fir Governor Minor-’s Message will bg rest
by ‘-everybody, and his wife" of course. I
, rcadsas though he were a “Kncw S'omer}i2'1ig,‘
: instead of 21 Know Nothing.

 The new Reading Boon .. :..:?. 
I bras-y.
We have spent a portion of our leisure time

ithe paslrweek, in the rooms of the Norwall

Institute, and we have been not a little grati-
fied at the success attending the commence
merit of this enterprise. A pleas-anter spot-, 0:

nish education that they and ,,,P,,_ 0,... ' an evening, than the Reading Room is not it
- ~- - J12‘ v

spring may be prepared for the du:i<~~~. .,l ,
American Citizens, but when we con.-".53. =

‘he. found in Norwnlk. The clear, brillianl
light. the comfortable chairs, the neat long
’ table, the files of daily and weekly ‘newspa-
i pers. political and literary; the well written
monthly Magazines, and the ample Library is-
ihe adjoining apartment, afford an Intellectual
I entertainment which far more than repays the
E trifling cost to each individual.

: In the Libr:-my are the choicest works in
3 W307)’. Poetry, Biograpliy,’Truvels, Essays,
5 and Romance which the English language af-
f f°"<33.~ t'°8'~'3tl‘ier witli the standard books on sci-
‘ 93°92 3S1‘lC'1ltI11'e. natural history, and art.
W9 W“? Struck With the vast amount of read-
ing which the modern mode of publishing com-
pm“ "1 3 °°mP"“'ati7el7 limited space. Go
and see the rooms of the Norwalk Institute. .

A.-- .—._—___.._

fl‘ The thanks of several of mu. citizens,
(ourselves included.) are due to Hon Erastus
Brooks, for the present of valuable and rare
seeds, procured from England, France, -‘pm-R93,
Japan, 630., by the officers and agents of the
L Government. . ‘

_ _.@"I‘he School Meeting last week voted a
new House for the Wlnnipauk District. The
South Norwalk Academy has been purchased
therefor and will soon be removed.

flu J. F. Foote. Esq., of this town has been
appointed Private Secretary to Gov. Minor.

 

LG’ We have received from Hon. S. Ainold
Douglass, a copy of his speech on the Nebfaskst
Iniquity. We are obliged to him for the in-
tended courtesy, while we can but detest‘ the
heartless treachery so apparent in the =.'..ti-

merits he advances against the cause .2: 
dom.

as

IIattea’s Journal.

We have received the first number 3} "ii _
tifully printed journal published in Dan’-’~i.
with the above local cognomen. Rather “
times” these, to start a paper, but its app
auce indicates a deserved success; whether
wins it or not.

HARPER for May is received. Its Illustrated
Articles are,“ Sketches in Brazil,’-' “ The Lion
and his kind,” the conclusion of Beadle-.y’s
narrative of the “Darien Fxploring Expedi-
tion,” and an installment of Thackeray's
“ Ncvrcomcs ;” also it large variety of miscel-
laneous ivritlngs. The present number closes
the fifth year of its existence, in which time it
has gained :1. larger list of subscribers than
ever before obtained by any one Liagaziue.—
For sale at l{x.u>r-'s.

_,@‘ The Legislature, after its organization
and appointment of committees, adjourned
over till to-day.

, , New Books.
‘\‘v'-. have received from J .H. Sherwood, suc-
cessor to Beers, 9. copy of Jonathan Slick’rs
last work——-‘Nature, and Human Mature,” 2:.
capital embodyment of humor and satire.-
l Published by Stringer 6': Townsend. Also,
Harper for May-and No. 6 of Harper Story
Book.
\ "———?-—-C-—- '
fl?’ We have also receivedthe May Nos. of
Frank Leslics Book of Fashions—-and his New
York J ournal-—both capital works and Public

erything on the tapis.

For the .N'arwalk Gazette.

Anecdotes of the late Dr. Mather
ot Dar-ien, Conn.

There was living in his parish one Gersiham
Raymond, who wag nine-tenths infidel, and one
tenth Quaker. In revolutionary times a kind
of Vigiilence Committee was appointed by
the inhabitants to watch the Tories, and give
alarm when danger threatened. Raymond
was one of this Committee. As he was riding
on horseback one day, in company with Dr.
.\[atlier, he put to the Doctor this question.
“Moses. why does thee ride a. horse '2” To
which Dir Mather promptly replied, “Because
the asses are all taken for Committee men.”

In those olden times minister’s coats were
3 cut after the Quaker style, and a long row of
l brass buttons ornamented the front. As the
above two were in company one day, Ger-sliam
said to the other, “.\Iose.s_. why does thee
wear so many buttons on thy coat ‘P’ ‘- To
show ya it,” said the other, “that my religion
does not consist in .a button.”

One Slimmer there was no rain" for a long-
time so that very little grinding was done ex-
cept by tide-mills. One Sabbath just after the
religious services for the afternoon had‘ com-
meuced, there was it copious shower in Dari-
on. One of the inhabitants who had got out
of breadstuli‘, put up it grist on Mcndaymorn-
ing. and carried it to N ortvalk Mill, supposing
that the shower of the previous day would
fill all the Mill ponds in the region. But to
his disappointment he found that the rain did
not reach Norwulk, and of‘ course the mill-
was not grinding. Ilsihg some words which
showed his disregard of the third command-
ment, he asked the poor miller why he did
notsend for Dr. Mather to come there and
pray for rain. "'Ycsterd:iy,’-' said he, “he
prayed for rain in‘ the forenooii, and he hardly
had time to cut his boiled pudding for dinner,
and get back to meeting, before the rain "pou-
red dowu in torrents. I have no doubt he
could do the same thing in Noriralk.” 5,‘.

For the G’-a.:ei:‘e.
A Canine Story.

Mr. Reed of Milan, _Oliio, told the writer
not long since, that in coming East he called.
on his cousin S. Hale Reed of North Burgen.
Orleans Co. N. Y., uho had it learned slur, or
female dog. Soon after Mr. R. roaclied Fl. H-
Reed’s, the latter wrote a note, in wliicli he
stated that his cousin had arrived at his house
and told the dog to carry it to his brother.
who lives some 80 rods distant. The dog do-
parted, and in El. few miniites that brother W89
on hand, having r~=.cei".-‘c-d the note from the
canine C‘il'!'l€’l.'.

The owner inl'oz'med Mr. R. from Ohio, that
if several men were at work in :1 field, some
distance from the house, he could tell the dog
tobring any one of them. (being of course
members of the family, or persons with whom
the dog was :icqu::.inted,) and she would tloit_

He woulll hand her .1. bell and tell her to go
and ring it at any one of the doors in the
cliauibcr, and she ‘would obey.’

The dog was not a N-iwfoiindlanll, or any of
t_llo.-xe species 'i’:'IllCllfl1‘€ supposed to be most-
sagacious. It seemed to be of ill!‘ bull €103’
breed. When it wast. puppy one of her mus-
tcr’s sons was in poor health and confined to
the house. He amuse himself by instructing

the doc-

Favoritos. His Book of Fashions eclipses ev-