Litchfield enquirer., 1839-05-09

$50
Vete associations make money &C their pleasure
where % the security Of the uniniorfn0d and unsus.
pecnng . Let those only Be bankers who can give
concentrated in the few, to the exclusion Of men d
moderate meansf Let incorporated banks give place
private associations and the large capitasts Ut the
cities become sole bankers, we may bid farewell to
equality OF privileges in banking, not to sound and
accredited currency. Some Of the States have re.
Gently introduced private banking. and others are in
clined to follow in their steps good comes Of the
experiment, We can initiate their example but il
evil let US profit by their experience lam persuaded
country SO exclusively 6enenc The afusn, a. as I nr
vate associations for banking.
Connected with Congress as we are, and
feeling its influence and example, it will not
be deemed presumptuous to remark, (and the
opinion is by no means novel One,) that its
prOtracted sessions, and the spirit and man.
ner in which the public business is conduc-
ted, are not in accordance with the economy,
simplicity and decorum for which it has been
distinguished. Its late appropriation of the
day of rest and devotion, to secular business,
is disregard of an institution Of divine ap-
pointment, consecrated in the affections and
hallowed by the usages OF large portion of
the citizens of the United States. The chris
tan religion owes its extension and its power
over the consciences of men, to the institution
and influence of the Sabbath. Repeal that
| institution, or treat with indifference its OBJ
servance, as was done in the National Con-
venton of France, and you Danish religion,
as they did, from the land. Let me say, fell
low.citizens, it is not political power; it is
not extent of territory; nor accumulated
wealth nor knowledge, nor science, alone,
! which renders people really great and tru-
" happy. "The Most High ruleth in the
Kingdom of men, and giyeth it to whomsoev-
er he will.'
The State is entirely free from debt, and
has, at this time, 1921 900 unappropriated, in
the Treasury. 1t likewise owns, exclusive
of the school fund, 8, 7O5 shares of bank stock,
which has yielded during the last year, the
sum of $32,387. The usual State tax of one
is about $4,3OOOOO,) raises $4,000. The
two thirds of one per cent, raised on the stock
of banks and insurance companies, belong
ing to non-residents, is about $4,000. Add
to these the avails of courts, forfeited bonds.
duties, licences, escheats, and other inciden-
tai receipts, and we have an annual revenue
averaging about $4,000. This sum is fully
equal to the ordinary expenses of the State,
including every charge of that character up
on the Treasury. The expenses of the State
for the year ending the 3lst day of March
last, were $4,000.
The State Prison at Wcthersfeld has,
since its establishment. not only paid for IT.
self, besides its annual expenses, but has be-
come source ofproft. The receipts, APP
pears from the Warden's Report fol, the year
ending the 3lst day of March, 1880, are be-
yond the disbursements the sum of $3,O6O 70,
an amount less than the profits of last year,
owing chiefly to sickness among the prison.
ers last Autumn, and the reduced price of
some of the manufactures. The general
pressure of 1887 has been materially felt in
the contracts for work during the year just
closed. The number OF prisoners at this
time is 163, nine having died during the year.
The system of labor and discipline pursued
in the prison is judicious and humane, alike
honorable to: its managers and to the State.
The convicts appear to be in good health, and
to receive every ettentiOn which their cOildi-
ton requires. In one point of viewthey are Pc
culiarly worthy of notice. When they enter
the walls of the prison, they are. in large
majority OF cases, habituaily incorporate
Of necessity they are debarred from spirit.
and at once begin to improve in health and
strength, showing the practicability ofentire
and Immediate abstinence, even in those
whose habits have become most inveterate.
Who, in view of such facts, will not become
the advocate OF temperance, and lift his voice
to- heaven, that the demon Of intemperance,
which revels upon all that is fair in society,
breaking asunder every bond, and reversing
the very works of the Creator, may be ban.
ished from human habitations, and consigned
to the execrations of an injured world, and
the judgments of righteous God! Are we
not called upon, as legislators, as patriots, as
Christians, to sustain those who labor In this
noble cause, and to strengthen those infiuen-
ces which bear upon this enormous evil
The School Fund belonging to the State, |
amounts to little more than $2O0O.OOO. 1t
appears to be we'll managed by the present
Commissioner, whose experience and &C
knowledged devotion to- his office. confer
great value upon his services. The receipts
during the year ending the first day OF April, |
1889, are $lO4,0O6 25, giving to each child in
the State between the ages Of four and six.
teen, the sum of one dollar and % cents, |
which is five cents more to each child than
has before been divided. The exact condi-
ton of the fund at that time, will appear
from the biennial statement laid before the !
last general assembly.
The paupers ofthe State are supported under con-
tract 81 some years to run, for the sum OF $l,!0O
So far as am able 10 Judge from facts within my
rearh am led to believe that the local taxes impos ed
by towns and other communities, coecable by war
rant taking the average of all our cities and towns,
90 not exceed ten cents on the dollar IN tile grand
list.
The annual Reports Of the Treasurer and Comp,rol
Ter Of public accounts will be laid before you at an
early day. They do not present any thing requiring
suggestions from the Executive. TIL public business
in these and all other departments, conducted with
propreiy and ability. Gentlemen. it our condition he
| indeed such as have now represented. do not this
people possess all the elements Of social happiness
talnahle by human governments and are We not cal
led upon. as public me and private citizens. TO main
tain an nndyng affection for our native state and her
Institutions b. 81,
Soon after the rising of the Assembly. the
Board OF Commissioners for Common Schools |
adopted measures to carry into execution the |
designs Of the Assembly. The law which
creates the Board, defines the various and inn
portant subjects of inquiry, to all OF which |