Litchfield enquirer., 1829-05-21

 more frequent from small than from large | districts.
 MT. Sterling moved that the first section be stricken out.
 MT. Marks hoped the section would not be stricken out. It was a republican measure. 1
 MT. Smith was opposed to striking out He would rather make the districts as large as the counties, than as small as tOwns-nOt but that each town would have men capable of performing the duties, but no man who was capable, would accept an office with so small compensation. The town which he repre- sents has been for five years probate district and there had been more trouble during that time, than for many years previous.
 MT. Boardman had hoped that this subject would not be again brought before the Iegls- lature. He thought it strange that any man should talk of interest among the members who opposed this bill. He had hoped that after former unsuccessful attempts to carry similar bill, the subject would not agaln De brought before the legislature. He thougnt it strange that any gentleman should cal. ln question the motives of members for opposing such bill-it was an unfair method ot argu- ment. Ifdisposed, they could retort upon !ts friends. He believed that already the dis- tricts were, many of them at least, too small
 
 expensive for people who reside at distance from the probate office, to get their business done. than for those who lived nearer.
 MT. Wilcox hoped the section would not be stricken out. Rhode Island, he said, had always had as many probate districts as towns and in no state is probate business better transacted than in this state. Each town has probate court appointed by the people of the town--the select men of the town com- pose this court.
 Mr.. Bissel spoke at some length in favor of striking out. He had listened to all the ar guments of the gentlemen, but had heard no l evils mentioned that have arisen from the present system. The table is not loaded with petitions in favor of reducing the districts and he presumed the people generally wee satls- 1 fled now. The people of Fairfield county certainly were. If there are evils arising from large districts in certain cases. he would apply the remedy where it is needed, but no farther. It was not adding much to the res- pectabty of the office to have five judges where there is now but one; and men capable of dsctarglng its duties woold 80 more ac- cept of it than they would put a rattlesnake into their bosom. The office would be sought only by set of men whom no man would trust. It is often the case the judge has to decide important cases from which there is no appeal and to guide him m his decisions he needs the records and decision of former jud- : ges. But if this bill passes, we create ninety four new offices, without giving them any re- cords for their guidance and assistance.
 Mir. Booth said there was a great disposi' tion on the part of large towns to monopoIize all the business-self-righteOu was moi altogether personal. He believed that muct wnnld he saved-tast Or riie bill or if it costs more, as tEe gentleman from New-MilfOrd intimated, the people had rather do their b,,- siness at home than abroad. He hoped the motion for striking out would not pass.
 MT Ives was opposed to striking out. He wanted probate office nearer home. He had often been to the office of probate in the district to which he belonged during the last five years, but had found the judge at home hut once during that time.
 MT. GriswOld was utterly opposed to be policy of multiplying probate districts. No man on the floor would deny the importance of the office, and that it should be respected by the people. If the emoluments ofthe of fee are but 25 or 50 dollars year, no man would accept it through whose hands he should like to pass, living or dying, as another gentleman had remarked. He was not con- scious that in opposing the bill, he was with nOlding from the people thelr right. He hO- ped the motion for striking out would be car ried.
 Motion for striking out the first section car ried yeas lll-nays ss. The bill, of course, was lost.
 Thursday Morning, May IA.
 Prayer by the Rev. Bishop Brownell.
 The report of the committee on districting was taken up.
 MT. Fairchid remarked. that the commit tee discussed the subject fully and freely, and were almost unanimously in favor of single districts. He thought the people would take a greater interest in the elections, and that better men would generally be elected if this method was adopted than if there were but eight districts.
 MT. Bronson moved to recommt the sub ject to the committee, with instructions to re- port the several districts, into which the state is to be divided. long debate ensued, in which Messrs. Bronson, Foot. Sterling, Cleaveland, Pitkin, Church and others took part, and which occupied the rest of the mor- ming. The question of recommitment was finally lOst-ayes S6-nays 185. The report of the committee was then accepted, and the resolutions adopted.
 Resignation of the Hon. James Lanman, 1 as judge of the superior court, read and ac- cepted.
 MilitQru CODamittee-G M Hyde CamD