Litchfield enquirer., 1848-05-11

expedient; amnexing thereto, all Statutes
heretofore enacted. relating to the settle
ment of inhabitants, and to prepare a
complete index of said Statutes.
A reference to the powers conferred on
the conn.,, will evince that the task devol-
we'd on them was an arduous one. The
result of their labors will be laid before
you for your supervision and approval
You will doubtless proceed in this work
with due circumspection and care, re-
tanning IN the revised code, all those salu-
tary regulations upon which the security
of property, and the order of society so
much depend, and incorporating su h
amendn ents as have rec, ed the sanction
of experience. From the well known
character ofthe COM, and the supervision
which will here be exercised, may we not
reasonably expect that the revised edition
of ous laws, will compare favorably with
the code of any of our sister States.
The Statute Lawsof Connecticut, con-
centrating the legislation of more than
two centuries, embracing the municipal
regulations of an enlightened community,
distinguished alike for its enterprise and
its advancement in the arts and sciences
are among the most valuable memori-
ais of republican simplicity, intelligence
and vi tue. Under he protection ofthese
laws, our ancestors were for ages secure
and happy. The State has been con-
stantly advancing in wealth and prospect
ty, and our institutions of benevolence
and learning and religion have been built
up and established.
Let it be our care to preserve and i'm
prove these laws, and thus to confer last
ing benefits upon the present, and sue
ceeding generations. e.
Like all other human institutions, they
are doubtless imperfect, and will require
to be amended and modified from time to
time, so as to meet tile eXigencies of So
ciety, as they are unfolded by events.
| submit to the General Assembly,
whether the laws affecting the relation Of
creditor and debtor do not require some
modification at our hands.
By the law of the last session, the
homestead of the debtor, to the value of
three hundred dollars, is exempt from be-
ing taken on warrant or execution for
any debt whatever. The laws have also
made very liberal exemption of the per-
sonal estate of the debtor. 1t is also pro-
vided, that no person shall be arrested,
held to bail. detained or imprisoned, upon
process mesne or final, founded upon con-
tract merely, expressed or implied.
Now is it altogether certain, that in
our anxiety to protect the honest and
unfortunate debtor, we have not thrown
a shield around the dishonest and frau
dalent one 2? And has not the effect of
our legislation been, to introduce laxity
of principle in regard to the binding force
of engagements No one will contend,
that poor or unfortunate debtor should
be imprisoned, when unable to fulfil his
engagements. But ought there not to
be more relief against the fraudulent
debtor, who places his PROF erty beyond
the reach of process, and sets his credi
tors at defiance? Some mode by which
he may be compelled to disclose on oath,
and make discovery of the property
which he has iraudulently concealed OF
conveyed away? The existing law O,
this subject is confessedly very imperfect
and affords little or no security against
the grossest iniquity and fraud.
At the last session of the General As
sembly, resolution was passed empow-
ering the Executive to appoint com
mittee Of ore from each county, to make
due examination, and report to the Lee
gislature a definite plan for the support,
location, and internal arrangement Of one
or more Normal Schools. for the training
and instruction of teachers. A commit
tee was appointed in conformity to the
resolution, and the result of their inves-
LEGATIONS will be submitted to your con-
sideration.
Under the same resolution, the Super
intendent of Common Schools was d.
rected to employ four or more suitable
persons, 10 nOiu, at convenient places III
each County, two or more schools Of
teachers, for the purpose Of instruction
in the best modes of teaching and 60
verning our Common Schools.
In pursuance of the resolution, these
conventions or schools have been held in
all the Counties Of the State and am
happy in being able to inform you, that
they have been attended by the most
gratifying results; such as to raise well
grounded expectations Of valuable and
lasting improvements in tho system Of
Common School education.
The report of the Superintendent will
be laid before you, from which it will APP
pear that more than one thousand four
hundred persons attended these conven-
tons most of whom have since been
engaged as teachers in the Common
Schools Of the State. concur with him
in urging the claims of these institutions
on the continued support and patronage
of the Legislature. 1 also entirely con-
cur in the suggestions he has made, in
reference to our Common Schools.