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CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURE.
May Session.
SENATE—WEDNESDAY MORNING, May
2d, 1866.
The Senate was called to order by the
Secretary of State, and by him sworn and
led to a choice of Clerk. Number of Sena-
tors present, twenty; number of votes nec-
essary for a choice of Clerk, eleven. John
R. Buck, ofHartford, received twelve votes;
Fred. Belden, eight. Mr. Buck was sworn
in as Clerk.
The Senate then proceeded to ballot for
President pro tern. Necessary for choice,
eleven. Hon. John T. Wait, of the Eighth,
district, received eleven votes; Hon. Thom-
as H. Bond, seven; Hon. Wm. D. Bishop,
one; Hon. George Kellogg. one. ‘
The President pro fem, on taking the chair
spoke as follows : '
SENATOBS :—I thank you for this unsolic-
ited but valued mark of your confidence and
esteem. Rest assured that I fully appreciate
the responsibilities of the position “assigned
me, and, so far as I may be called to act as
your presiding officer, shall endeavor to dis-
charge the duties of the oflce impartially and
faithfully. With but limited experience in
the business of legislation and little acquain-
tance with parliamentary rules, I shall rely
upon the friendly co-opperation of you all,
in meeting the many difficulties and exigen-
cies that I must neceSSarily encounter. Let
us enter upon the discharge of our duties
with alacrity; let us conduct our delibera-
tions with dignity; and in all our proceed-
ings exercise forbearance and personal kind-
ness one toward another; and, if there be
any rivalry among us, let it be a spirit of
emulation to see which one of us can do the
most to protect the honor, watch' over the
welfare and promote the prosperity of the
state.
The Rev. Dr. L. Bacon was then intro-
duced to the Senators and Offered a prayer.
Samuel D.Hills, ofFarmington, and Chas.
'H. Simmons, of Ashford, were duly elected
Messengers. James Lay, Branford, and E.
O. Page, Darien, were appointed Doorkeep-
era for the present session.
A resolution appointing a committee, con-
sisting of one Senator and Eight Represen-
tatives to attend to the canvass of s‘ate offi-
cers. Passed.
Resolution that in addition to the daily
journal, there be printed under the direction
of the clerk of the Senate, the usual addition
with a full index,to be distributed as follows;
—one copy to each member f the Senate
and House of Representatives; one copy to
each judge of the Supreme and Superior
court; one copy to each town clerk in the
state, and each state librarian in the United
States; and one thousand copies to be de-
posited in the office of the Secretary of State.
Passed. .
A resolution appointing a committee of
one Senator and two Represenatives to wait
. upon His Excellency the present Governor
and inform him that the Senate was organ-
ized and ready to receive any message he
might wish to communicate.
In a short time the Governor’s private sec-
retarvinformed the Senate that he was the
bearer of a message from his Excellency
Governor Buckingham. The Clerk receiv-
ing the message read it to the Senate, and on
motion it was immediately transmitted to
the House. ‘
Gov. Buckingham’s Message
To the Senate and House of Representafz'ces in
General Assembly eonsened .'
l herewith transmit resolutions adopted
by the_‘lcgislatures of the statesof Vermont
and Mrphtgan relating to an appropriation
of public lands to endow female cOlleges;
resolutions of the legislatures of the states of
New Hampshire and Vermont relating to
sea fish ; the resignation of Rufus S.Mathew-
son, a bank commissioner, and a report of
Col. William A. Benedict, recently the Con-
necticut State agent at Washington, and the
report of the Major General.
~ 11 is known to your honorable body that
the Thirty Seventh Congress passed “an Act
to idemiiify the States for expenses incurred
by them in defense of the United States," by
Which the Secretar of the Treasury was di-
rected to pay the overnor of any State, ex-
penses properly incurred by such state for
enrolling, enlisting, clothing, arming, equip-
i‘lng. Pfil’lnghnd transporting its troops‘ em-
ployed l" aiding to suppress thetlieu existing
insurrection against the United States, to he
settled upon proper vouchers,and passed up-
on by the proper accounting officers of the
treasury.
In accordance with the provisions of this
law, in March,_1862, the EXecnrivc presented
In the Treasury Department an account
W rich was designed to include all expenses
previously incurred by the State of Connec-
I
8
cut in organizing troops to aid the general
:Vefmneul, which account with interest,
amounted to $1,465,201.91
' penditures made after that date.
like the first in character, amounting to $356
317.10 and in January, 1865,another amount-
ing to $75,805.95, were made and presented
to same ofllceS‘for adjustment. The total
sum charged the government, without inter-
est is $1,807,324. 95.
Much time has been spent in pressing these
claims to a final settlement. The result has
been the suspension and disallowance of
$175,217.73 and the receipt of $1,656,301.28,
on the first and second accounts,
The State and government officers have
together examined the charges and vouchers
of the third account, and a settlement may
be expected at an early day.
The state has also expended $22,216.91
in buildings, and $5,777.71 in supplies for
sick and wounded soldiers at the Knight
Hospital. Many of the buildings erected by
the state have been enlarged and ceiled by
the government,‘ and are owned jointly by
the United States. If‘sold in the usual man-
ner the loss might be a large percentage on
the cost. A portion of the supplies would
not come within that class of expenditures
which the government feel obliged to pay,
and.claims for them would be disallowed
under the present rules of the Treasury De-
partment. «
Under the circumstances, the executive
proposed to relinquish all claims made for
arresting deserters, for damages to property
rented, for the transportion and subsistence
of men who rendezvoused,but were not Inns-
tered into the service of the United States
all charges for purposes not authorized by
the army regulations and a part of those
made for advertising and telegraphing,
Claims made for the payment of chaplains.
and second assistant surgeons prior to or-
ders from the War Department authorizing
the appoinment of such officers and all the
charges for the payment of officers from the
time they had a minimum command, have
been suspended. ‘
The accounting officers of the Treasury
Department claim that the act of Congress
to which reference has been made, is design-
ed to re-imburse the states, only for those
expenditures which were made before the
government was in a condition to organize
such a volunteer force, as its necessities re-
quired; and assume that on the lat day of
January, 1863, they was in such a condition.
They therefore disallow all claims for ex-
Under this
rule a part of the charges presented in the
first, and nearly all those made in the sec-
ond supplemental accounts have been disal-
lowed. -
The several accounts have been made out
by Horace J. Morse, the Adjutant General of
Connecticut, and every item has been exam-
ined by him, and every class of claims by the
Executive, in connection with the account-
ing offices of the government. It is therefore
doubtful whether the state can anticipate fur-
ther receipts on the first two accounts ren-
dered, unless government officers~ shall adopt
other rules for payment, which shall embrace
the disallowed or suspended claims.
The General Assembly of 1861 appropria-
ted three thousand dollars for the payment
of personal expenses incurred by .the Ex.
ecutive in the discharge of his official duties.
This act is one of many which have made
me profoundly sensible of the kind consider-
ation of the people, for which I desire to ex-
press my obligation : but duringihc past
five years public burdens have rested so heav-
ily upon them that I have not felt willing to
draw from the Treasury the money thus ap-
propriated for my personal use, and now
cheerfully relinquish all claim to the appro-
priation, that the amount may be used for
puplic purposes. .
I also herewith transmit the Report of the
Paymaster General, which exhibits the ex-
penses incurred in recruiting in rebel states
during the early part of 1865, and the ac-
count of bounties paid to volunteers during
the past year, and the expense of sustaining
the state militia. -
Also the report of the Adjutant General,
which not only presents the number and con-
ditiou of the militia but completes a valuable
history of the regiments, batteries and bat-
talions of Connecticut volunteers during the
recentrebellion. The record testifies to their
bravery in every conflict, to their fidelity and
endurance under every privation, and to
their undying purpose to preserve liberty
and good government at whatever cost.
In retiring from the responsible position,
which, through the partiality of constituents,
l have held during a period of intense anxi-
ety and of unexampled peril to our govern-
ment, I take the liberty of referring very
briefly to the struggle through which the na-
tion has passed, and to our present condi-
tion.
Our foes have been those of our own lion
sebold: citizens, enjoying the protection of
our government, and sworn to support its
authority, repudiated their obligations, con-
temptuously spurned the privilege of longer
participating in its administration, and claim-
ed, as a. remedy for, alleged grievances, the
right of seceding from and destroying the
national Union. Upon thisissue they-staked
their all, to be determined not in the halls
of legislation—not by our courts of justice—
but by force upon the field of“ blood.
Connecticut took sides with a loyal
administration, and mustered~ into service of
the United States fifty-four thousand eight
hundred and eighty-two noble, able-bodied
men—of whom five thousand two hundred
and eleven were“ killed in battle, or died of
wounds and of disease, while five thousand
nine hundred and sixteen others were trans-
ferred to the veteran reserve corps, or dis-
charged on account of physical disability.
To this cost, we may add more than twen-
ty-two millions of dollars expended by the
towns and the State ; and the heavy burdens
of taxations which must continue for a gen-
eration. '
But the loyal armies triumphed and sccur
ed an overwhelming victory.
Our enemies recognize the fact, and ack~
nowledge that their power is broken ; yet
their views respecting the right of states to
secede, and their right to destroy the
national Union whenever they shall have
the power, remain unchanged, They mourn
their impotency, but justify their treason.
The spirit of rebellion‘Still lives among them.
It. is true they have reorganized their State
government, but they do not protect. the
rights of the citizen. They are not govern-
ments of the people, nor do they secure re-
publican liberty. The loyal are contemned
or ostracised, while rebels are justified and
honored with positions of responsibility and
power. .
Taking the advantage of the forbearance
and leniency of the late national government
those who have given all their energies to
sustain the rebellion, boldly demanded a rep-
resentation in Congress, where they can have
increased facilities and power to inaugurate
another revolution, which may be successful
in destroying all hopes of preserving iiber—
ty through a representative democracy.
Their attitude is pltogetherinconsistent with
a conscientiousness of wrong doing. '
In the burden of state and null 211 debts,
in impoverlshed estates, or dcsolrl homes,
in sorrowing households, in the death of
more than halfa million of strong men, there
is proof of guilt. The uilt, the crime is
theirs—or it is ours. ,f ours, it isour'duty
to acknowledge the debts incurred for our
destruction, and to give sufflcrenr guaran‘
tees that in the future, we will iritcrpose no
obstacles to a dissolution of the American
Union.
But if the guilt is theirs, if their rebellion
is a crime, then amnesty is a boon to be con-
ferred, and not a right to be di'iiiuhrletl ; and
the loyal only have a right to determine
' when public safety will justity a restoration
offorfeited rights, and what guarantees are
essential for the preservation of national au-
thorit y. ‘
Entertaining these views, the condition of
national affair-s'r'rppearsas critical as at any
cilod during the rebellion, and imposes up-
on us welghly responsibilities from which
we cannot escape.
Duty to nurse we and fidelity to genera-
tions which are to occupy our places, requrre
us to meet these responsibilities ill a’spirit of
kindness towards those whose power we
have overcome, but without compromising
and powers to to the government.
It is clearly our duty to incorporate into
the fundamental law, provisions which will
effectually guard against another attempt to
disruember the Union.
In additon to other requirements we may
justly demand such action as will secure the
people from taxation to pay expenses incur-
red by an unsuccessful attempt to destroy
their liberties, and a proper guaranty against
the repudiation of pecuniary obligations,
made necessary in preserving the national
government rescued from their power by
loyal men.
It is moreover our duty to admit all who
have been in rebellion (exceping the leaders)
into an active copartnership with the na-
tional government as soon as it can be done
with public safety. But it is difficult conceive
of such safety, until the spirit of eunii-
ty shall yield to a spirit of friendship and
loyalty. As this change may not be clear-
ly seen at the time it shall occur, we can
make a practical application of a principle
which can do no injustice.
We should demand no less than this ;
the reorganized state‘governments shall se-
cure to every citizen equallrights and equal
protection before the law ; and that. they
shall be administered to give liberty, and to
secure it in accordance with the advancing
Spirit of Christian civilization. Such pro-
tection and such administration shall be re-
ceived as evidence of friendship and loyalty,
and constitute the basis upon which they
shall be admitted into a full and active par-
ticipation in national affairs.
WM. A. BUCKINGHAM.
N Icw HAVEN, May 2, 1866.
A resolution ordering 2,000 copies of Gov-
crnor Buckingham’s message to be printed.
Passed.
The Committee appointed to inform the
state officers of there nomination, reported
their acceptance of said ofilces.
HOUSE—WEDNESDAY, May 1.
The House of Representatives, met at the
H all of Representatives, New Haven, at
10 o’clock a. m., and was called to order
by Hon. Chauncey F. Cleveland ofHampton.
Isaac H. Bromlcy of Norwich, was chosen
temporary Clerk and Curtis Thompson of
Stratford, temporary Assistant Clerk.
Tire Chair appointed for tellers, E. M. Lee
Oquilford, Thomas Clark of North Ston-
ington, H. B. Munson, of Seymour, and
George C. Woodrufl' of Litchfield.
A ballot being taken for Speaker, resulted
as follows :
Whole number of votes, 210
Necessary to a choice 111
For David Gallup, Plainfield, 137
For Charles R. Ingersoll, N. H., 83
Whereupou Mr. Gallup was declared elec-
ted.
On taking the Chair, Mr. Gallup addressed
the House in a brief but happy speech,
thanking the members for their kindness,
asking their indulgences with his errors and
their assistance in discharging the arduous
duticsof the position to which they had
called him. He assured them that be fully
appreciates the difficulties which ,beset the
ofiitfl and that whatever ability and experi-
once he possessed should be called to- the
work of discharging his duty in a faithful
and impartial manner. His errors should
be those of the head and not intention.
The House then proceeded to the election
of Clerk. v
Whole number of votes,
Necessary a choice 108
John M. Morris, of New Haven, 135
Frederick A. Willoughby, of N. H., 80
John M. Morris was declared elected Clerk
and the oath was administered by the Speak-
er.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Bacon.
On motion. James U. Taintor was elected
Assistant Clerk by acclamation.
A resolution appointing twq Senators and
eight Representatives to canvass the vote for
state officers was passed, and the following
members were appointed: Messrs. Bromley
of Norwich, Burr of Hartford, Wood-of 0r-
ange, Lockwood of Norwalk, Whitccmb of
Brooklyn, Foster of New Hartford, Russell
of Clinton, and Converse of Stafford.
Nathan Merwin and Joseph R. Warren
were appointed doorkeepers of ’the House. '
A resolution was passed appointing Ed-
mund Thompson and E. F. Whiton messen-
gers of the House. '
The Speaker was authorized to invite res-
ident clergyman to act. as chaplains of the
House.
James A-. Baldwin Henry Peck,and Elihu
Cooper were appointed State House keep-
crs.
A resolution passed raising a committee
on contested elections}. Messrs. Thompson
of Stratford, Sandford of Bridgewater, and
Tourtelotte of Thompson, were appointed
such committee.
The committee appointed to canvass the
votes for state ofiiccrs, reported that the fol-
lowing ofllcers were elected ;
For Governor, Joseph R. Hawley.
For Lieut.-Gocernor, Oliver F. Winchester
For Secretary of State, Leverett E. Pease.
For Treasurer, Henry G. Taintor. '
For Comptroller, Robbins Battell.
Resolution declaring those gentlemen elec
ted ; passed.
. Message from Governor Buckingham
transmitting the report of the Major General
and sundry reports' and papers. The' mes-
was read.
[During the reading of the message, that
part in which Governor Buckingham states
that. he has relinquished to the public Treas-
urer the appropriations heretofore made to
hiru for salary, was received with applause]
215
SENATE—AFTERNOON SESSION.
Tire Senate convened at 2 1-2 o’clock.
Hon..Joho T. Wait, President, pro fem, in
the Chair.
Lieutenant Govmnor Winchester, after ta~
king the oath of office, administered by the
Clerk, delivered the following speech :
SENATORS: It is with a sense of embar-
rassment that I appear here to day, to as
some the duties devolving upon me by the
recent election, and the oath which I now
have taken. This feeling arises from a con-
sciousness of my inexperience in the delicate
duties of the ofiice, and my ignorance of the
formalities of legislation ;‘ heightened by a
knowledge of the eminent ability, skill and
tact of my immediate predecessor. Under
these circumstances, I feel compelled to ap-
peal to your kind indulgence towards any
errors 1 may commit; and to assure you that
I bring to the work an honest and determin-
ed purposeto discharge my duties tothe best
of my judgement.
It appears to me fitting, as it has been
customary, on the annual recurrence of this
ceremony, to review briefly the prominent
events of the past year, and to recognize the
goodness of God in the blessings we have re-
ceived at His hands.
Twelve months ago to-day, the closing
scenes of'a mighty rebellion were passing
in view before us; the roar of battle—the
sounds ofconflict—still fell faintly, in dying
echos, upon our ears.
Now, all is peace. The war, with all its
incidents of glory and suffering, lives only
.1}.
i3 ‘I’ fly ll'l‘ON 8t (10.,
c
AT Two DOLLARS PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE
GAZETTE.
.. NORWALK, CONN, 'i‘UESDAY, MAY 8,1866.
In March, 1863, a suplemental account human rights or giving increased influence in history. Meanwhile, as time has progress—
ed, the national government has rcsuiucd
undisputed control over every acre of its do-
main ; every citizen has been brought under
its protection and within the power of its
lawful authority; the busy hum of industry
has grown in volume, and now pervades the
length and breath of our land ; labor every-
where free, receives its just recompense ;
the earth has yielded its natural increase;
agriculture, trade and the mechanical and
useful arts are prosperous and flourishing
our general commercial relatiousnud nation-
al financial condition are satisfactory and
improving; we have been preserved from
famine and pestilence, and thc country has
enjoyed a year of more than average health.
All these elements of national prosperity
are working together to dcvlop the count-
less wealth and measurclcss resources of our
country ; promising the attainment, at an
early day, of a material power uuparalcllcd
‘in the history of nations. » . ,
For all these blessings, it becomes us to
raise our hearts and our voices in gratiluc to
Almighty God, and in intercession with Him
for a continuance of His favors.
Although the war of physical forces has
ended, yet the conflict of ideas and opinions
still goes on ; and though the trial through
which the nation has-passed has tested and
proved the strength of our form of govern-
ment, yet it’has also developed its weakness.
How to wisely profit by the experience of
the past,and to so amend our national organ-
ic law as to give it unity of purpose, har-
mony with the “Declaration of Independ-
ence," and efficiency adequately to protect
the rights of each and every citizen. without
encroaching upon those rcsrrw ii to the
states and to individuals, is now thc great
question before the country ; a question, up-
on the proper solution of which,our national
existence may depend. It is a subject so in-
tricate and delicate as to baffle the unaided
wisdom of man; and is only to be settled-
justlv by the power of God in controlling
and directing the counsels of our ablest
Christian statesmen.
Thanking you for your patient attention to
these imperfect expressions of my views and
feelings, and imp’loring the blessings of Di-
vine Providence upon you, individually and
collectively,’ I will now close by commit-
ting myself to your generous courtesy du-
ring our intercourse.
At the conclusion of thc Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor's speech, the honorable Senate ud-
journed to meet the House in
JOINT CONVENTION.
The Governor elect and Stuff and State
officers, and Major General Russell and stuff
escorted by High SheriffHotchkiss, tlrcu cn-
tcred the Hall,
Prayer by Rev. Dr. Bacon.
The oath of office was administered to the
Governor elect, by Hon. John T. Wait, of
Norwich. . °
Governor Hawley then delivered his in-
augural Address. During the delivery of
the address, thenamc of cx-Govcrnor Brick-
ingham was received with hourly applause,
as well as the allusion to suffrage—loyal
men ruling the nation. The closing para-
graph was warmly applauded.
The Governor, etc., then retired, and the
Lieutenant Governor declared the couvr-u~
tion adjourned.
I‘
GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE.
Mr, President, and Gentlemen of the (Micro!
Assembly .2 .
After four years of great sot‘l'OWs, l~r-
hers and triumphs, God llln‘ girl-n u: a
year of happy peace, accompanied by n
degree of prosperity scarcely to have
been expeccted, and you how: I: mvcucd
to engage deliberately in legislation no
longer controlled by the stormy demands
of War.
RETURN or THE TROOPS AND CLOSE or rut:-
WAR.
Before the adjournment of the lust
General Assembly, the volunteer tron»;
of this state began to return from the
field, and by the 7th of November thoy
bad all been mustered out,br0ught borne,
paid and discharged, in a manner that.
was in general exceedingly satisfactory.
The only exception 1 he veteran battal-
tion of the 13th, which was mustered
out at Savannah, Ga, on the 25th ult.
It has arrived at New York and its dis—
charge is daily expected.
The State furnished for the army and
navy fifty-four thouraud eight hundred
eighty-two men (54,882)for various terms
of service ; equivalent to forty-eight
thousand one hundred and eighty-one
(48,181) three years men. Deductiug
from this the total quota, likewise reduc-
ed tO the three years standard and
amounting to‘ forty-one thousand one hurr—
dred and eighty-three (41,183)mcu, we
have as the result a surplus of six thous-
and six hundred and ninety-eight(S,698)
three years men, And this is without
reference to the call of December, 1864,
under which there was no quota assigned _
to the State, booause there was no defi-
ciency.
The valuable and elaborate report of
the Adjutant General contains 1r large
mass of statistics and records, including
a coudeuced sketch of the part taken by
each regiment, the list. vl' its lllllilf'SJle‘rl-
ber- of its casualities, etc.
The agency in the Adjutant Generol’s
office for the prosecution of soldiers’
-claims has proved itself exceedingly use-
ful, and it could not be discontinued
without injury to the interests of the So?-
diers and their Widows and orphans.—
Over eighty thousand dollars tlttVC been
collected upon five hundred turd thirty-
nine successful applications, among
which were one hundred and forty~four
pensions granted and eight hundred
claime are pending.
The lurgc accumulation of important.
documents in the office is without flrle
quate protection. 'l‘hcir loss by fire
would be an irretrievable calamily. And
the tattered and battle-stained flzigc rc-.
tqrued to our custody, silent, yet clo-
qne‘nt, should be cared for in some fit
place easily Occessible to the public,
where they may perpetually teach lessons
of Valor, devotion and patriotism.
It is beyond my power, and fortunate-
ly unnecessary that 1 should attempt to
express the sentiments of gratitude and
honorable pride with which our citiZcu
soldiery is justly regarded. The Very
large majority were resolute, llitclllgenl
men, who went to the struggle followed
by the prayers and blessings of wine
and mothers, and willing to serve simply
in the ranks, because they belicvcd it. the
call of God and their country.
The leading statesmen of Great Brit—
ain, none to friendly when we most need-
ed friendship, has lately remarked that
the United States have “ developed of!
amount of heroism,a power of' self-sacri-
fice, an energy, a perseverance, n forget-
fulness of every personal interest, an
amount of actual force arrayed and mur—
shaled by the subjects in support of their
a
from toXutiou by stoic or municipal au-
clioscu rulers, Silt'll as we know not
where else to Sil'lx’ foniu the history of
the Work.”
The volume is closed. Thanks to Di-
vuro l’rovidcucc, Connecticut’s chapter
therein maintains her nucicut llOllOl‘.
And in that chapter a. name so fre-
quently occurs that 1 cannot \vitliliold
from it u brir-f tribuic. 'l'lic ~lupsc of
time will only bring into stronger relief
the character of Governor Buckingham,
“hose lirlullly', sugarcity, energy, glowing
patriotism lllltl eminent moral worth,
combine to make us instinctively couple
his fame with that of his great predeces-
sor of the Revolutionary era.
ri'NANCIAI. CONDITION.
Naturally, in consequence of the pro-
longed corilcst, the debts and resources
of the slate claim our early attention.
.-\ur~x:ruriu.~rliou ol' the reports of tho
Coriiiilrollcr :illtl 'l‘rt-usur‘cr will Show
that the llnznlccs are in :r much more suf-
rslhrdury hurl prospcmru condition their
many lrrrvc supposed. 'l‘lic flouting or
fr'rnpornrv' debt, which amounted ouo
ycz. r ago 10 nearly three millions of dol-
lu's, has been wholly paid, except a
balance of'lcss than three thousand dol-
let‘s due to thc Sinking Fund. The last
General Assembly authorized the issue
of bonds to the amount of three millions
of dollars. Two millions were sold to,
various purcbmcrs at par, with a trifling
exception at a slight advance, ' An ad-
ditional 15:;110. of four hundred thousand
was made in order to pay I) debt. of that
:llllt'fllr’ihtlllc to the Sinking Fund with
the intention to withdraw it as soon as
bonds of' sonic earlier date could be pur-
chased to replace it.
The whole debt is comprised in live is-
su’cs ol'Sthte bonds, all bearing six per
cent. interest, payable semi-unuuully at
the ’l'reasurcx’s office, and otherwise brief-
ly dcsrcibrrd as follows :
First series ; issued June lst, 1861,
for two ruillious,puyal.ilc in twenty years,
or, at the option of tlre'Stutc, at any
than after ten years.
Second series ; issued January Isl,
1862, for two rnillfous' payable in twouty
years.
'l‘lrir‘d'sorios; issued January lst,1861,
for two millions, payable in twenty years.
Fourth series; issued April lst, 1864,
for two millions, payable in thirty years-
01‘, rittlic option of" the State, at. any
time after ten years.
Fifth series ; issucxl October 151,186.17
for two million.. four- hundred thousand,
payable in tawdry yours, and exempt;
thority.
'l‘iio r-nilz‘l‘ debt is thcrcl'orc tcu
liom, four hundred thousand dollars.
Against it. pro the Sinking Fund, one
million, trio lurudrral and eleven lilOltS-
:Elltl, sen-u hundred and sixty-seven dol-
lrrrs :tllfl thirty-five ceirts($l,2ll,767.35)
the brink slur-ks owned by the State,
whose market value is three hundred and
seventy-uric thousand, three hundred dol-
l:rr.~',($371,300), and cash in build three
hundred and ill-()‘<?.llfelll.ll-lll\‘iflll,sl.\‘ liuud
Nd and forty-four dollars and thirty—nitro-
C(‘llls (353644.39). A deduction of
these three items shows that the exist-
ius liabilities, over and above assets,
omouut to eight millions, four hundred
and sixty-three thousand, two hundred
and eighty-eight dollars and twenty—Six
cr-uts ($8,463,288.26). And since the
reports were prepared, the 'l‘rcnsurcr has
rtccivcri from the general government
l‘uo hundred and fifty-thousand dollars,
in port payment of claims for war expou-
sr:.-, \t lllz‘ll sum is ‘ulso to be deducted.
llut it, merely in or.lcr‘to weigh our
rl'ul burden, we take into account the‘
Scimol Fund, which rclicvcsour citizens
from taxation to an amount equivalent
to :18 llll'tlfll'_‘, the actual indebtncss of the
Stuttgrrbovc its productive assets,amounts
to :rboutsix millions two hundred thous-
and dollars, or less then one half the in-
crcnsc of the grand list last year.
The taxable property of the State irr-
creascs steadily every year. The grand
list for 1865 computed, in round numbers
to two hundred and ninety-one millions ;
in 1860 it. was two hundred and thirty-
oue millions. The rate of increase be
tween 1864 and 1865 was five per cent,
and the real growth was much greater,
for much surplus wealth, invested in nu-
tjcuul securities, does not. {Iplit'll' tilitill
the list. ‘
In estimating the expenditures of 13.0
Current year, we may pass by flu- i'om
of bountics to soldiers and soldiers’ firm—
ilics, which last year amounted to four
hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and
the payments to the Quartermaster Gerr-
cral for the. militia, as well as many 0th-
cr items, will be- much less. After a
careful review, it is believed that the eu-
mil—'
VOLUME XLIX‘-N UMBER l9,
The Sinking Fund will grow in impor-
tance. I recommend that it be placed in
charge of a board of three commissioners,
one to be appointed every year,- aud that
it be invested in registered bonds of the
State, authority being given to the
Treasurer to cancel and convert any
coupon bonds" of the State that may be
matter for consideration. The natural
inerease of our population, the excess of
births over deaths, which is comparative-
ly slight, is probably counterbalanced by
the emigration of native citizens, and the
gain in population must be due to acces-
sions from sister states and foreign coun-
tries, which facts furnish additional pow-
STATE Pm ion.
The state prison is successful] con u
The last General Assembly {ppr-ogna‘gd
nearly Six thousand dollars to meet the cur-
rent expenses of the prison, but several fa-
VOrable changes have enabled the warden
not only to for as that aid, but to exhibit lev-
en hundred no lars as the surplus of receipts
over- expenses. The number of prisoners
purchased for the Fund.
WAR CLAIMS.
.‘rly predecessor carefully presented
and urged with great diligence and suc-
cess claims against the United States
for wrrr expenditures, amounting to one
million, nine hundred and forty-eight
thousand, six hundred and eighty-eight
dollars and seventy-nine cents ($1,948,-
688.79.) .
Of this, one million, six hundred and
fifty-six thousand, three hundred and one
dollars and twenty—eight cents ($1,656,-
301.28) has been paid, two hundred and
sixteen thousand, five hundred and eigh-
ty-cnc dollars and "fifty-six cents ($216,-
581.56) rejected, and seventy-five thous-
and eight hundred and five dollars and
ninety-five cents(75,805.95) is still pend-
ing, not fully examined. A report in
detail will be presented toyou.
'l‘hc rejections are not made because of
defective evidence, but under fixed rules,
. which are doubtless being applied to all
other states, in Which case Connecticut
will scarcely be a loser ; for, if all claims
of the rejected classes should be paid, this
State's share of the addition to the utt-
tiouul dcbt would be greater than any
sum it might receive thereby.
0f the moneys in question, the sum of
four hundred and twenty-seven thousand
dollars ($427,000) is now in the treasu-'
rer’s hands. It is thought desirable that
authority be given to use it for the Sink«
lug Fund, in order to withdraw and can-
cel the state bonds of the last issue placed
in that Fund.
erful reasons for vigilantly attending :to
our educational arid moral interests, if
we would maintain the historic charac-
ter of the State. .
CHARITIES.
Institutions for the relief of the unfortu-
nate and suffering are among the brightest
glories of our Christian civilization, and in
no other state are they more highly valued
or more ably managed. The American Asy-
lum for the Deaf and Dumb, established in
1817, the pioneer of its class in the United
States, and originally intended to serve for
the whole country, still suffices for the states
of New England, liberal provision being
made by them for the support of pupils. 0f
the whole number, 1661,~who have enjoyed
the benefits of the school, 221 entered from
Connecticut, and of these 185 were supported
by the State. The number of the state ben-
eficiaries now in the As lum is thirty five.
The Retreat for the nsane contains 200
inmates, of whom 167 are supported by the
State. The committee appointed to inves-
tigate the condition of the insane poor, will
report to you in due season. There are in
the almshouses of our towns and cities over
two hundred insane paupers. The bare
statement is sufficiently suggestive, and it
dispenses with all comment.
The Connecticut School for Imbeciles,
chartered five years ago, is no longer an ex-
periment ; its usefulness is proven, and it has
grown greatly in public esteem. There have
been forty-two pupils during the past year,
and eighteen of its present inmates are benefi-
ciaries of the State. '
The Connecticut State Hospital and the
Hartford Hospital continue to merit fully the
assistance they receive. They are alike in-
tending to greatly enlarge their accommoda-
tions, and each has received needy patients,
soldiers and others, from a majority of our
towns, for which the State gives partial com-
pensation.
THE SCHOOL FUND.
The capital of the School Fund, at the
lust regular examination thereof, Sept.
2d, 1864, was two-millions, forty six
thousand, five hundred and twenty-two
dollars and twenty-three cents [$2,046,-
522.23], and the Commissioner reports
that none of it has been lost Since that
time. During last year about two hun-
dred and fifty-three thousand dollars of
the cupltul was paid in, of which one hun-
dred and nineteen thousand dollars
[$119,000] was invested in bonds of' this
State by authority of the last General
Assembly.
The income lost. year was one hundred
and Lilly-six thousand four hundred and
seventy—one dollars and ninety-four cents
[$136,471.94] and the number of chil-
dren between the ages‘of four and sixteen
was one hundred and eighteen thousand
Seven hundred and eighty [118,780], and
the dividend wasoue dollar and ten cents
per head. The increase over the previ-
ous your in the number of children is
thrtc thousand nine hundred and fifty-
fivc. ,
A \‘cry considerable portion of the
fund is still invosted or loaned in other
states, and so scattered- and subdivided
that there never-bus been a thorough
investigation of the character of the se-
curities. The usual examination of the
files and v0uChers in the School Fund
office has always been satisfactory, but
no auditors and no committee have ever
undertaken to examine the mortgaged
lands or even require in each case the
judgement of'o. trustworthy, qualified per
son. ,
It has been for some years the self-im-
posed policy of the office to reinvest in
this State such portions of the capital as
were voluntarily paid in. But I suggest
that it may be Well to require a more
vigorous course, and without distressing
responsible debtors, steadily cdllect and
rc—invest until the entire capital shall be
louucd upon real estate within our own
boundaries, or invested in the stocks of
our state, and of the general govern-
mbiit. ' ,
All the loans are made upon the judge-
ment of the Commissioner alone,.hs is
the sole auditor of his own charges for
expenses, he gives no bonds, and his en-
.tire legal compensation is but twelve
hundred and fifty dollars annually. More
Over, in contradiction to the policy of
the State with regard to all other civil
officers, there is in this no limitation 'to
the term of office.
It is safe to say that no private firm
or corporation would consent to the man-
ngement of over two millions of dollars
iii this manner, and the history of the
Fund is the highest possible compliment
to the Commissioners. 1 suggest a cori—
sidci‘atiou of' the subject, in order that, if.
it be rim-med wise, additional safeguards
fire expenditure, including the interest,
oritlré debt, and need not exceed one;
million of dollars. At the present rate ,
of' lilellOll the receipts may be fairly cs.- ‘
llmuletl at one million six hundred and
twenty—five thousand ($1,625,000).-~—
' ‘his would leave about six hundred
thousand dollars to it»: applied to the ex-
tingulslruir-ut ol-tlre ill'llil'lllllUl'tlle.(1l:bfl
lo :‘itiou tn the accumulations of tlif:
Sinking Fund ulrczrdy provided for,
which will amount to Severity-mo thous-
lllltlfillillill‘S the current. year.
1i. will undoubtedly be in accordance
with flit: uniformly sound, prudent, and
patriotic policy of the State to incur the
debt. rewlutcly, fllltl irrirncdiotcly begin
to reduce it materially. I iuo‘st t‘t’l‘llllll-
ly favor ittlfl strongly recommend that
course. Nevertheless, while thc people
have most honorably met the-grout d:-
munds of a just and holy war, and while
they cheerfully acquiesce, in all necessary
taxation, yet if the course referred to can
be adopted and the tirxcs eVeu slightly
reduced, such a reduction will be ghrdly
welt-outed.
A wisely liberal and generous course
in all that. regards our disublr-d soldiers,
and the widows and orphans ol' lllUsC
who died for freedom, and iii alltlrrrl por-
loius to our educational and ImicVolcut
interests and institutions, is not only cori-
sistcut with true econorny,, but it is essen-
tial thereto. ltis uol, therefore, with-
out duc concern for then that. 1 remark
tin-i it is now our duty to levy taxes and
order expenditures with deliberate and
exact justice and prudence, and to re-
qu.rc of all disbursing agents a rigid ad-
herence to luw.’
The detailed statements and recom-
mendations of the Comptroller and
Treasurer will naturally attract. your
may be thrown around this sacred trust.
EDUCATION.
Public education received a marked
'mpuise by the important. modification
of the school laws enacted last year,
vesting tlic supervision of the Normal
School, and of the entire system, of com—
mon schools, in a State Board of Educ"-
tion, and imposing upon the Secretary of
the Board 'the ordinary duties of the
superintendent of common schools. The
change has given general satisfaction,
and' since the close of the war the public
interest in education has revived. The
loot-d entered upon its duties with Spir-
it and energy, but the eight months that
have elapsed ‘Since it began to act‘ are
too shorts term to exhibit great results
That indispensable institution, the’Nor-
mail School, has received much attention,
and plans are maturing for its material
improvement.
Statistics Show that but seventy. or
at. the most; seventy-five, per cent. of the
children reported to the Comptroller at-
' tend the public schools. Possibly, If the
revenue of the School Fund were dis-
tributed according to the actual atten-
dance as has been frequently proposed,
the percentage inight be increased. The
report of‘ the Secretary of the Beard
contains facts and suggestions, and I so-
licit for the whole subject,your thought-
f'ul study and acriou, forI esteem it by
far the most importantpresented for state
legislation. Upon universal and thor—
ough education rest not only the pecunia-
ry interests of society but the honor and
powm'arid the very life of our govern-
iiicut.
VITAL STATISTIcs,
The full report of the State Librari-
an presents a careful array of statistics
concerning the births, marriages and
DESTITUTE SOLDIERS AND ORPHANS.
The benevolence of our citizens has found
a new field for its exercise within a few years
in caring for disabled and destitute soldiers
and the orphans of those who died in the
military or_naval service. and were it easy
to point out a certain, practical remedy, the
whole work of relief would be speedily done.
Three institutions have been incorporated
within two years for those honorable purpo-
sea; “The Connecticut 'Soldiers’ Orphans’
Home,” “Fitch’s Home for the Soldier’s,"and
the “Connecticut Soldier's Home." Two of
them have collected statistics, received some
money’s, and relieved a fewcuses, but only
Fitch’s Home has gone into full operation.
If is taking good ctr-e of forty children, but
cannot accommodate half the cases in the
senatorial district to which it. has thus far
confined its operations. From the careful
inquiries made in that district and the partial
investigations elsewhere, it is estimated that
about one thousand children of soldiers in
this State are in need of more or less aid, and,
that not fewerthan four hundred are wholly
dependent upon the towns.
Tire number of destitute disabled soldiers
is not large, but it is increasing as their sav-
ings become exhaus‘ed. The experience of
foreign nations, and own the brief expert
ments ofour sister states, Show that invalid
hospitals are not successful. The invalids
prefer to receive aid at. home. Still there are
some cases that Cannot thus be provided for,
and the state hospitals ulrcadyailudcd to have
gladly received many, and are now caring
or a limited number. And doubtless through
these well established institutions the whole
work can be safistrrctorlly 31nd honorably
done. ' .
But prob-rbly not all the children Could
be taken into existing asvltiriis. it. is suffi‘
clear to simply refer to the subject. In the
late war considerably more than five thcu-
sand of our young men gave their lives to
the cause of their country, while in‘ the ser-
vice, and we have yet to hear of a dying sol-
dier who called it an unjust or wasted sacri-
fice. Tire trusts they felt as our people will
accept with genehous'enthusrasm.
THE MILITIA.
Tire law adopted last year for the rcorgan»
ization of the militia has had the desired ef-
fect in reviving the military spirit. Nine
old organizations were disbanded, and a
large number of new companies formed.
There are thirty eight infantry companies,
one light battery, two sections of batteries,
and two batteries drilling as infantry. The
aggregate force is 146 officers, and 3,315 men,
with every prospect of a rapid increase.
The expenditures for the outfit were consid-
erable, as the law contemplated, but there
is a good supply of surplus material on hand
and the troops were probably never equaled
by the militia of the state, in the uniformity
and excellence of their equipments, drill, dis-
cipline and efficiency. Time, and probably
a brief time only; is required to make them
the effective efficient. force that every state
should keep ready for immediate service.
The amount raised last year by the commu-
tat ion tax of two dollars per head was about
fifty tour thousand dollars. The Quarter-
m rster General‘s report will give the accounts
required by law. .
COURTS
There are increasing complaints that the
unfinished businessof our courts is unduly
accumulating. (Joe of the remedies proposed
is to add to the number of judges, but per.
hope the end can be reached by other means.
It is said that the Court. of Errors can save
time and expense, and try its enacs to better
advantage, by holding one session each, at
Hartford and New Haven, annually, instead
of holding, as at present,- two sessions a year
in each county, (with a single exception,)
which occupies as least fifteen weeks with an
‘ awrage of not more than two days to each
session. The change would add greatly to
the working force for circuit duty. In is al-
so believed that u very large number of ca-
ses Would be summarily disposed of il'every
defendant or respondent were positively re—
quired to file at the first tertn a plain sworn
statement of‘his matters of defense, under
penalty of submitting to judgment. A vex-
ati- his delay is frequently all that a defend-
ant intends. And generally now, the issue
is not closed until shortly before the trial,
and Ditch the parties are surprised, the real
case appears for the first time, and delay en-
Sll' S.
1 merely urention these as propositions
coming from experienced practitioners and
judges, without professing to measure their
proper weight but that it requires in sever-
al counties about two years to reach a trial,
even of a petty appeal from a justice of the
peace, is obviously a great wrong and a prac-
tical denial of justice for which some efll-
cient remedy can certainly be found.
ELECTION LAWS.
It is strongly affirmed by many that the
consiitutidnal requirement that every person
shall be able to read before being filmitted
to the privileges of an elector is frequently
evaded. It is also said that frauds are com-
mitted in various ways in the use of certifi-
cates ofelcctorsliip, which ought to be de-
stroyed or cancelled as soon as they have
been used. I submit the matter to your con.
sideration. -
REF-1831 scuoor.
The State Reform School continues to be
well managed. The institution is out, of
debt, is on a good financial basis, and is eco-
nomically administered. lls friends asks tor
an appropriation ol five thousand dollars for
repairs, and they desire the General .ASSCIIIK
bly to cousiderthc propriety of making cer-
tain enlargements. The whole number of
boys admitted since the school opened in
1854 is nine hundred and seventy-nine: the
number discharged the past year one hun-
dred and forty-five: the number of inmates
at present two hundred and forty-eight.
Without doubt this very useful irradiation
consideration.
, deaths of" the past year, and aficrd much
i will be dealt with liberally.
has increased from one hundred» and
thirty-one to. one hundred and ninety-
five, but this is mostly due to the large num-
ber sent by the Secretary of the Navy in ex-
ecution of the sentences of naval courts mar-
tial. The law which deducts a per can
from the terms of imprisonment as a reward
for good behavior, continues to exert a most
excellent influence. , ‘
BANKS.
During the ye forty-one bank with an
aggregate capital‘of $12,087,930, in :ddltion to
those which had previously taken this course
organized under the national banking set,
leaving bl eight state banks, with an -
gate capitaf,on the 1st of April, of $1,933.33)
and a circulation amounting to $1,275, .
The capital of all the ninety banks, state and
national amounts to $25,182,243.
The questions concerning the taxation Of
the stocks of national ban and of other
corporations holding nations bonds, have
been to some extent answered by the courts.
0n the first of January, there were fifty-
one savrngs banks, fifty of which reported as-
sets amounting to $8,891,454.71. and do
its amounting to $27,319, 013.59, The high-
er rate of interest paid by adjoining stated
and especially by the general vernlneat,
has reduced the deposits 31,82315199 during
the past year, and gradually led the trusts.
to invest more than a quarter of the whole
in national bonds.
Though the change in our banks of circus
lation and exchange is removing the necessi-
ty for a bank commission, so ~far as they no
concerned, it continues to be eminently
er that. the institutions for saving shoals);
supervised by the state. A single Gamble
commrssroner may answer the purpose.
INSURANCE.
The insurance commission established last
year required much preparatory labor on the
part of the commissioner, but the result is
that one hundred and nine agents of insu-
rance companies chartertd elsewhere pay '
taxes who neglected it 'before- Ninety-four
fire insurance companies of other states are
represented in Connecticut by three hund-
red and seventy-two agents, who are hear
ing property to the amount of twent -seven
millions and paying to the amount of seVen
thousand dollars annually. The hostile and
exclusive legislation of many states upon
this, as other interests, is a matter of pest
regret. . The statute of' this state merely in-
poses upon foreign agenis the restrictions
placed by their states upon' agents of our
companies.
RAILROADE.
The railroads of the State have prospered
and improved. The percentage of accidents
have slightly decreased. It is probable that
much of your attention will be oecu ied by
this important interest, and it is we to re
member that while these powerful and row
mg corporations should be guided an cou-
trplled in a friendly spirit, because of their
direct connection with our prosperily, it nev-
ertheless should also be done with an inflex-
ible, firm and impartial hand.
THE RIGHT on annulment. v
During the past year a majority of our vo-
ters rejected the constitutional amendment
designed to restore the right of suffrage to a
small class of citizens who have been denied
it because of their color, since the year 1818.
Though you have the exclusive right to take
action upon such amendments, permit me to
express a hope that within a reasonable time
the question may be again submitted. 1f the
denial be an injustice, a right decision is
more important to us than to the colored
men. They are few among us, but our ex-
ample has an influence elsewhere, and sound
moral and political philosophy teach that no
considerable class or race can be excluded
from a share in government without working
evil to «111.. ' Tire qualifications of intelligence
and morality prescribed by our fundamental
law are universally approved among us, and
I Sincerely hope that we may soon yield
cheerfully to-the irresistible drift of liberal
prrncrples, and requiring those qualifications
alone, frankly recognize the rights of all
men. ,
FEDERAL RELATIONS. '
. Our country turns willingly from the sub-
srding clamors of war, it rejoices over the
great good already secured, and balls gladly
the indications of reviving pro'spcrity and
fraternal feeling. Wherever our late 'ene~
mics accept the result with frank good faith,
they should be met at the first step with a
cordial welcome. Our people were not act-
uated by malicious or revengeful motives in
the struggle. We exalt that we destroyed
great wrongs, not that 4we conquered our
bretheren. It is not expected that all who
willingly engaged in the rebellion will spee-
dily lose their prejudices, or even their hats
reds, however earnestly that is to be desir-
ed. As to the great mass of the people in-
volved in treason, it is the promise of the fu~
ture and not the record of the past that
statesrnanship will consult. And the heart
of the nation yearningly longs for the day
ot full restoration, when every state in all its
parts shall be performing its natural func-
tions in the great system, without external
interferance or restraint and when all extra-
ordinary powers assumed and wielded to
save the national life, may be laid away with
the idle weapons of war. :
But the nation loves liberty and justice
above all else. The rebellion was a terrible,
an infamous conspiracy, perjury and murder
and so history and legislation will record arid
brand it. Though defective laws or false
mercy may fail to demand the forfeited life
of a srngie traitor, the country will never
consent that any but loyal men shall receive
its favor or sit among its rulers.
When states declare themselves out of the
Union and bring their citizens with
unanimity to make desperate war durin
four years upon the Republic, and than, fat -
iug only through lack of physical force, de~
clare themselves in the Union, trnl devoted
to its principles and entitled imm lately to
the excrcrses and enjoyment of all'their pre-
vious powers and rights, We may and do give
honorable freed to their words, but it is the
nation's right and duty to examine fully the
new organizations of those states, learn the
purposes of the new rulers thereof and test
the whole by the legislative action they take,
and by Ilir‘ security and happiness enjoyed
b_\ the steadfastly and unquestionably loyal.-
amoir: them.
ii In ry .be that all those states are not in
the hands of. majorities determined to be
faithful to the Union ; it may surely be that
when We consider the cost of our vindication
of national sovereignty, sqmething may be
needed to fortify the future of the Republic.
Upon all this let the legislative power of the
federal government decide, speedily by all
means if it can, but thoughtfully and sound-
ly in any event. '
There will be immediate and reat inequal-
flies and a certain promise of true agita-
tions and convulsions, if the entire popula-
tion of the lately insurgent states he inclu-
dcd in the basis of federal representation
while‘fonr millions remain excluded from
even the hope of becoming voters.
And, the war havin been a success, we .
must affirm that it e ected the destruction,
of slavery in fact as well as in name, 'Sne
nbuudouoienl, us a rule or action, of the r-
petually disorganiziug doctrine of sec“ n,
security against any taxation IO‘ debts
contracted in aid of treason, and full protee~
tion,saiety and honor every where for the
rights of all loyal citizen without distinc~‘
tion of race or color. s"l‘hese things were
'fairly won; they look insecurity for the fu-
ture, and are not a part of any idle claim to
indemnity tor the past; they are not sslfishly
sought for a class or a party, but demanded
for all mankind; and they are essential to
the success and glory of a Christian denim
cratic government.
01 the details of national legislation 1 cans
not,to speak. All brunettes of the federah
Norwalk Chronicler