Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1857-07-02
CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON, June II.

F4hUhSDA1 AkIHnNOVN, June II,
The entire afternoon was consumed in discussing
the order of the day, viz: bill for public act
laying tax Of per cent on deposits and stocks in
saving banks and building associations. and of
per cent on banks and insurance companies It was
at length passed, 127 to 70.
Thursday evening was consumed in discussing the
order of the day, viz the reports of the committee
on federal relations; which reports and resolutions,
together with an act respecting citizenship, were
read in full.
Several gentlemen delivered themselves of large
amount of Bunkum showing that though members
of the House of Representatives of the State of
Connecticut, they were not very familiar with De
Tocqueville at least, or over and above posted up
in General american History.
good portion of Friday was used up in the
same way, the resolutions at length passing, 12e
to 81.
| Same day. resolution for incorporating the Htna
Bank in Hartford, was brought forward.
Mr.. Brooks made the usual statement of the rea-
sons which had led the committee to report favor
ably. He reviewed the increase of manufacturing
and other business of Hartford County all of which
Independent upon this city for banking accolnmo-
daf1ons.
/ Gen PRATT considered this the most bogus appli-
cation that came before the House. and cid not
hesitate to say that it was wanted for nothing but
shaving mill. 1t was asked for by wealthy men,
who wished to manage it for purposes of s,ecula-
ton
Business men cannot be accommodated At these
banks. A petition had been presented fu, bank
which should restrict dividends to per cent. and
make officers and directors responsible 70, the bills
but that petition had not been entertained. That
application had been opposed by those who petition
for this bank for fear it would hurt theI operations
The business community do not want the bank as
there is already capital enough in the city to do the
whole business of the State, if properly managed.
He would favor bank that he thought would he
managed legitimatey as that would be a benefit to
the business community. but he would not vote for
another shaving concern
Mr. SHIPMAN. conceded with tile views of the gen.
tlemcn on the committee thatan increase of bank
capital was benefit to the sfate. There were two
applications for banks in this city reported upon f
vorably by the COMMITTEES, and he trusted both
would pass The business men of the city and
country had petitoned for the bank, and the whole
county being dependent for banking facilities ON this
city, it was really needed Besides this many towns
out of the county were dependent to great degree
upon Hartford. Thee were many manufacturing
villages in the county, whose business was large and
increasing 1t not to be denied that there was
an occasional bank officer who was dishonest but
the whole list should not be made responsible for
those SINS Asa general thing they are men of in
tegrity, and man ever lost dollar by Hartford
bank. The manufacturing capital of the county is
greater than the banking capital, besides all the
other interests which are dependent upon the banks
If there is place in the State where bank ny is
well done. it is the city of Hartford and when gen
tlemen talk OF scrutinizng city banks, he wo,ld
say, scrutnzc carefully as possible but do not
refuse an application because it from CITY
The stock will all be taken up in the county,
Mr.. CALHOUN moved to amend by erasing from the
names Of the commissioners D. w Camp of Mid
dletown. and inserting James Thompson, of East
Haven !; carried.
Gen. PRATT was we'll acquainted with the bust
of the city and would do nothing to cripple
prosperity but when so much of the present CAPT.
tai was loaned out of the State, he could not be-
lieve an increase was needed.
Mr.. RoBEmTs said he was told early in the session
that something would be done to pi otect bill-hold-
from loss by banks. but he had seen nothing of
the kind. He then went into the figures of the
bank capital of the State, and thought we had
about enough. He continued at random in opposi-
ton to banks in general.
Mr.. BADCU thought there banking capital
enough in this State already.
Mr.. SHIPMAN said if the town of New Britain or
Sufficld should ask for bank it would be- granted
but the citizens Of those towns enjoyed the privi-
leges of the banks in the city The loans put down
out of the State mostly for mining and man.
ufaeturing interests in which citizens are inter
ested.
Mr.. BRooKs said that when the City Bank was
chartered, more than double the amount of the
country towns. The farmers Of the country will
subscribe to the stock of the bank and thus it will
benefit large number of working men. The veal
thy men don't own all the stock, to the detriment
of all others.
Mr. LOOMS Of suffie1d thought if men we'll quail
flied to conduct banks honestly would take hold of
them. it was an encouraging circumstance The
people of Suffeld were dependent Hartford for
accommodations and it was just and proper to in
crease the capital
Mr.. CuSDALL said the reason why capital went out
of the State that the law allows it. If it is
wrong to do this, then pass law against it, and
not make the banks responsible He knew that
the small country banks were insufficient to accom-
modate the wants of the people, and manufacturers
compelled to resort to cities for accommoda-
tons. lie considered bad policy to restrict banks
so to compel our people to 60 out of the State.
The Chair asked leave to make statement called
for by the personalities of Gen. Pratt.
Gen P said he had not intended to say any
thing lisrespectfu and if be had he asked pardon.
The Chair stated that the statements of the gen
tleman with reference to the petitioners were un-
founded and unjust
Mr. MERwlN hoped the matter would end in good
feeling, and moved the previous question carried.
Yeas and nays called for ordered.
Resolution passed 81 to n.
Resolution amending the charter to the Litchield
Bank so as to reduce the amount of capital stock
went hunting, and shot ahead of rabbit to allow
for dodgiug. BE thought great allowance should be
made for lodging here.
Resolution passed.
Resolution allowing the Naugatuck rail road COM
puny to alter the line of road.
Resolution passed.
Resolution releasing Elisha NJ. wolcott from State
Prison.
Mr.. FISH said the prisoner had been sentenced
for life for arson. He was of three men who
had been elected from house in New Haven for
their bad character and the house shortly after
fired. The two others were caught in the act but
the prisoner out of the town at the time. The
leader in the crime turned States evidence and the
prisoner was implicated as having coghzance Of the
affair. He has been confined about eight years, and
numerous petitions have been presented for his re-
lease. The COMMITTEES were OF opinion that suffi-
Gent punishment had been suffered, and all oppo-
sition had been withdrawn.
The resolution relating to the additional appro-
pfiaion for the erection of the building for insane
convicts returned from the Senate an ended by re-
ducing the appropriation from 5000 to $4,000