Litchfield enquirer., 1843-03-09
STATE SENATE.

STATE SENATE
Mr. Editor-In my communication OF last week
noticed partcularIv the duties which devolve upon
Senator in our State Legislature, as the chairman OF
he various important committees in which the func-
Dns of legislation matured and practically per-
kcted say perfected, for whoever is familiar with
he course Of legislative procedure must be aware
Iat the reports o. committees almost invariably
sdopted, and that too with degree Of reliance which
seldom admits Of any amendment or modification OF
ehe measures they recommend. am notincinedto
question the principle apOn which this confidence is
bunded. 1ndeed.such are the complicated interests
Of legislation that necessarily exist; none OF
us are competent to acquire a knowledge OF every
thing, and in law making asin other matters we must
yey for the most part upon information derived thro
others. The committees are the sources through
which this information is chiefly to he derived and
communicated to the General Assembly they are
fhe eyes and ears of that body, and the necessity
therefore that the organ through which they commu-
ncate-the charman-should be in all respects conf
peteDt to the discharge Of bis dues cannot be too
highly appreciated.
Another Of the peculiar duties OF the Senate is the
appointment of commissioners the various turnpike
roads throughout the state, and upon certain mpor
nade in executive session, with closed DOORS and
HeF an injunction Of secrecy a mode Of procedure
which regard wholly variance with the princi-
pies of responsible government and the spirit Of our
institutions it is not consonant with the genius Of
our people that either branch Of its legislature should
be clothed with secret power of this irresponsible
nature, better BETTING Venitian oigarchv than
the commonwealth of Connecticut; but while this
power exists, be exercised in Darkness how inn
porant becomes that those who possess it should he
men Of pure and exalted characters both for ntelli-
gence and integrity. The entire public have deep
ineras for the protection Of its privileges, in the
lection Of duly qualified commissioners. while the
same time care should be taken that such men be ap.
POINTED will not wantony Cypress the incorpora-
lions which they appointed to oversee, Or through
ignorance of the extent Of their powers aud duties,
Infringe upon chartered rights.
These are perhaps the most important Of the duties
(which pertain exclusively TO the Senate The powe.
and duty Of general legislation the Senate shares in
common with the House Of Representatives, but in
;,his respect it's actual power is the greater by so
fnnuch its number is the less; the House consisting
.of believe, 223 members, and the Senate Of 81 the
power of Senator for the passage or defeat Of any
measure is equal to fraco than that of 10
Representatives, and as with single exception,
Legislative elections not made by Joint ballot he
p,ssesses power equally disproportoned in the ap-
pointment Of United States Senators and Judges of
our Supreme Court.
have been induced to make the foregoing remarks
from contemplating the character of our Senate for
some ten years past and from regret at the state OF
degradation to which i, has fallen Without question
- &c i,,fa
TO the average of,he lower house it's proceedings and
debates such as they are are seldom listened to. ne
yer reported and are regarded with little either Of re-
specs or interest by the people.
This lamentabe state of things is no, perhaps te
be attributed to the course Of action OF any particular
party, as party. and in my opinion is deplored by
e. ..cat majority os all parties 1t seems TO me te
have sprung mur.!y from three causes failure OF
abe part of our best liens 10 attend the nominating
conventions an active system Of intrigue on the par
D! aspirants to this office, (wi. is called in the wes,
los. rong-you help me and in turn Will he!p ,...
and lastly from that blind mad spirit Of party which
has Of late years led good men to vote for the
s,oninee oil .he! own political faith however incom
pe:ent he might be; occasionally even now q dis
lrict here and there will break through the ramme
with which their supineness joined to the
schemes Of circle Of mousng politicians has hound
shcm and nominate and elect some qualified fo
fhe station and honor the district he is selected
10 represent, but whenever this happens for year
1.-TWO arc sure to see the petty nrisners the star
Of district conventions, the third and fourth
Of the party in a terrible ferment, and at the
mina,ing meeting. by means Of n careful selection o
expectant delegates, and by virtue Of much canvass
ing and hard riding, the qualified candidate is reec,
ed and some ignorant cipher set up.
striking illustration Of this has just been exhibi
ted nv the democratic party in the l7ih district
Judge Burra', gentleman whom his strongest oppo
will n.t denv is highly qualified TO discharge
the duties Of Senator, was last year elected TO tina
Office; he discharged its duties ably and with advan
tage TO the state (at least according TO the views
the party which elected him. but now the same par
~ in the same district have discarded this able ane
competent Senator. and set up in his place an Oh
individual named Dewell, who, it it lies in the
power Of his party. will be cent TO desecrate station
ii which has been honored by such men az Ellsworth
IS aud Griswold. Alas 70. the day of small things hal
" come Would thai these victims OF misplaced am
btion could but realize the prayer Of the poet wher
U he calculates
. "COuld but some power the gftie gle Us,
To see ourselves as others see US
# 1t would from many folly free US,
Al And sair mishap."
81 The effect OF such a realization might indeed be
any thing but hattering to the vanity which prompts
them to climb through devious ways to the elevation
Of the senatorial chair IT generous mistake tho
common to small minds, 10 suppose that poll;ica
position, without corresponding qualifications, is
honor. Ii cannot be too steadily borne in mind tina
/, not the station in life which may occupy, but
the manner in which he discharges its duties that en-