Litchfield enquirer., 1857-05-14
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Wr. President and Senator's sf... . -...
Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of

al requirements, older in all their essential fea-
lures, than any other in existence in this Union.
Under our ancient and simple, yet comprehen-
sive and well defined charter as embodied in our
present constitution. the citizens of this Com
monwealth have enjoyed as much happiness, pro-
baby. has ever fallen to the lot of any people.
AS the only legitimate authority under this con-
sttution, you are assembled by the sutf.ages of
the Peep TO legisate on their behalf. This is
responsibility not to be lightly assumed nor in
| considerably discharged, and in view of which
your constituents will hold you to strict ac-
countability
| In entering upon the duties of the Session, it
becomes US to acknowledge our dependence upon
the great ruler of Nations, the manifest act of in
telligent men everywhere and in that spirit which
becomes enlightened and responsible agents, to
! discharge those duties in view of our obliga-
| tions to God as well as the State.
| 1t is my intention to suggest, briefly, such top
les as seem to me worthy OF your attention. with
out attempting to develope all the considerations
connected herewith which present themselves 10
my mind l deem the simple presentation, of the
subjects appropriate to my position, and leave
their discussion to that branch OF the Govern
ment TO which the duty egitinately belongs.
gratifying nvlctlOn rests upon my own mind
that the legislation Of our State, for few years
past, has been eminently acceptable to a large
majo ity of our fellow-ciiZens, and that but few
additional enactments. or alterations OF the laws
upon our statute book. will be required at the
present session.
So thoroughly convinced am I, that we suffer
more from excessive and unstable Legislation than
| from raucity Of enactments, that | venture TO
suggest such an amendment 10 constitution
and laws, as would require only biennial sessions
of the Legislature Sixteen of our sister States
hold their Legislative sessions only once in two
years; and am not aware of the existence OF
any proof that their Legislation is not as accept
| ahI tn fhoJr pctIv Mt &C
much benefit as that of ,he remaining States. I'm
stable legislation results from too frequent meet
| ings of the Assembly. and the evils resulting
from the varying ascendancy of parties are there
by aggravated. The force of the laws is weak
ened and their intricacy increased. Anxiety is
unnecessarily created and confidence impaired.
This being one of the practical infrmites Incl.
dent to Republican institutions, should be care
fully guarded against.
In connection with this subject would suggest
! the propriety of altering the time of holding the
sessions of the General Assembly. The objec-
ton most frequently urged against change OF
time has been, that if holden in the wintsr, they
might be unduly protracted. | have confidence
to believe that gentlemen who might be selected
to act legislators, would first seek to discharge
their duties 10 their constituents, and that II any
were found disposed 10 protract a session from
unworthy motives, public opinion and the meagre
compensation which they are allowed, would con
strain them to proper degree of expedition. But
if any apprehensions are entertained on this point,
a Limitation of the sessions would most certainly
obviate any such objection.
| The amendments indicated above. If adopted,
might also involve the Necessity of altering the
time of holding our State elections. Ii these
were biennial they might he held on the days de-
signated for the choice of Presidential electors.
This would, i'll my judgment, be an Improvement
upon the present mode, inasmuch as each alter
| ola f,r Sl-
multaneousIy with Presidential election, when
| the issues involved In such election would he
| more distinctly before the People, and Congress.
| men would be elected under more ample express
sion Of public sentiment.
You may find it necessary to pass an act en-
forcing full compliance with both the letter and
spirit of that provision of our Constitution
Gently adopted, which requires every person Of
| fe ring himself for the privileges of the elective
franchise to be able to read any part Of the Con-
s,iuton or Statutes that may be presented to
him.
The elective franchise is Of character
cred and the pepetrity OF our institutions hinges
distinctly upon the preservation OF the ballotAbox
in its purity, that great care is Juslfiable. 1t
may appear difficult 10 frame practical guards up
on this point, and to apply the tests required. but
it is more difficult to preserve free institutions
without them.
What nober bequest can be made to posterity,
!
which we have inherited from our honored ances.
try9 And for what will our descendants more
truly exalt the age in which We live than for a les
gacy so precious We act not for ourselves
alone. Posterity will detest our memories, If We
prove unfai,hful to the sacred trust committed to
our charge. Can we add safer guard to those
with which we would our balIot-box,
1 than that of requiring residence Of one or more
years among US from of foreign birth, before
| they shall he permitted to exercise the privileges
of the elective franchise after they shall have at
tanned citizenship? Suggest the inquiry Tor
your consideration
| One object Of the recent amendment of our con-
stiiuton. requiring that :aan should be able to
read before he can be made eector, was to
| promote Popular Education. This subject was
so ably and so eloquenuy urged upon the conside-
ration of former legislatures by my immediate
| predecessor, that take pleasure in referring You
to consideration Of his views without tresPass-
| ing upon your time with a full expression OF my
| own.
| The founders of our State government deemed
| a provision for the support of Common Schools
| SO vital 10 its prosperity, that it was embraced
| among their earliest acts of legislation. That
| the safety of the Republic consists in more gen.
eral diffusion of education among the children Of
| the Nation, is point in regard to which there
can be but little room for difference Of opinion
among Intelligent men. That Connecticut should
have fallen behind any Of her sister States in eff
forts to advance the interests of education, GER
tainIy detracts from the reputation Of people
| upon whom were once bestowed the proudest lau-
reis for having made the most complete provis-
ion then known for the support of her common
schools, and whose higher educational institutions
still constitute chief element in her renewn.
| There are, indeed, honorable exceptions to this
general view of our common schools. which the
Report Of their Superintendent will doubtless ex.
| hbit as gratifying proofs of as high degree OF