Litchfield enquirer., 1853-05-12
GOUes'aGOs''s SucSsNge. Fe!lO,O Citizens cf the Senate,
 and HOMse of Representatives.

I
 FellO,O Citizens cf the Senate,
 and House 0f Representatives.
 1t affords me great pleasure to meet vol
 on an occasion of so much interest to th
 people of this State. In the capacity 0
 legislators entrusted with power to fram
 laws for the regulation of public affairs and the good of the community, it is pre- sumed you bring with you to the place Q legislative business the seRiiments-ex pressed or implied, 1.-the feelings and hope Ol those whom you have been chosen [, represent. Recognizing the responsibI character of the important trust which i given tn greater or less degree to all thos who arc called to the discharge of OiEicia duties, give you the assurance of my sin cere deslre to eO-operate with you in what ever shaA be found on investigation to b. mos, conductive 10 the general good.
 New and gratifying proofs of the growtl and prosperity of all the great interests o the State and Country have been furnished during the year. The industrial pursuits which illustrate the energy and persever- ance of free and enlightened people, were never more active than at the present time. This gratifying aspect of the condition ol things around us, is attributed in a high degree tO ttat dRasi0n of knowledge among all classes which helps to perfect the plans of human wisdom, and gives energy and proper direction to we'll conceived en- ierprises of every description. As guar> an,ee for the future, the encouragement of schools and seminaries of learning, will be- come matter of still greater importance ,han bef0re,-iO which should be added the highe" obligation 10 cultivate that sense oi responsibility to the great Law Givere of the World, winch has ever been considered essential to wise direction of human aC- fairs.
 do not suppose that in State of lim- i'ed extent Ike this of ours, any consdera, b!e degree of legislation is, or eau bc annu- ally rcqniled. There is more trouble to be apprehended from multiplication of the laws or public acts, than from any iorbear- ance to increase the number. Exemption from unnecessary restraints, and that secu> riIy in the lawful possession of 'Le aequi> siriOns Of industry which the charter of our liberties has solcmnly recognized, ,are what lrcemen have right to insist upon, and these are best secured by abstinence from law making, except in cases absolutely re. H bur,hens, or by the demands of an age which is constantly opening new avenues for human improvement.
 The average length of the sessions for the last seven years has been 5S l>4 days, at greatly increased cost to the State ; ] the debenture and contingent expenses be- ing nearly double what they were prior to iLe time from whicl, this calculation is made. | it is true, new interests have sprung up in that period which have sought pr dema nd ed hearing before the Legislature, and which at first sight would seem iO account for the recently prt,tracied sessions. But on the other hand, the questions which once came regularly before the General Assem- bly,, provoking discussions and multiplying lhe number of it's days. have been wi,h- drawn from your honOrab bic body and given 10 the people to adjust, or left ts the peace> ful operations of general laws 10 regulate and determine. This view of the case is moi offered for the purpose of making any suggestions, it being peculiarly within your province 10 inquire into the matter. My object has chiefly been to bring out the fact, that il this state of things is 10 continue, a much larger surplus will be required al the close of every fiscal year, than formerly.- Something like $40, 900 al leas, wil! become necessary 10 enable the Treasurer to meet, without embarrassment, the demands of the first three months Of every current year. This he will have no difficulty in doing, if the present laws for obtaining a revenue are continued, even should the legislature make further reduction of the State tax.
 There was paid into the Treasury during the year ending March 3is,, 1853, from various sources, the sum of Sl 50, ,65O, co, whiciP together witt, the balance on hand at the commencement, of the year of $39,. ISO.Os, makes total of Sis9, ,7s0.OS. The expenditures for the past year amount 10 $l35, ,l04.O9. There s included in this sum, the item of $S,OlS s pai.. in full of the State debt, April 10th, 1852, and payments on account of legislative grants to the Reform School and for other purpo- ses, SIS, ,268.6l, which, fl deducted from the above amount, will leave the ordinary expenditure at $llS, ,S22.l5, being a small increase Only over those of the proceeding year. This increase is accounted for maln- ly by reference 10 the judicial expenses which have increased the past year over those of the proceeding, the sum Os $4,' 565. .S2, and for which there seems 10 be nc remedy, but by the adoption of some sys' tenn which shall put stop to increasing litigation. ............ Notwithstanding the payments called fol by Legislative grants and for other purpO' ses tO which allusion has just been made, | will be seen by reference to the Lomplrol er's statement of affairs for the past year that there still remained on hand the Sls of March, 1853, balance of $54.674.94 to be carried to the account of the curren wear. Had it not been for ihe orders or the treasury of special character, the an nuaI surplus would have been nearer $70, 900. As the session advances you will b. able to determine whether sny further re- doction of the State tax shouE be made O not,-a question which is left tc your wis dom and discretion.
 All experience has shown that there i' nething more difficult of adjustment than ;