Litchfield enquirer., 1865-05-11
STATE PRISON

l
 STATE PRISON. .~~-
 In the State Prison, discipline an q good ol
 der nave been secured among the lie Stat
 cohvicts. The expense of maintaining tb
 institution over and above the earnings of ,h
 prisoners has been $5,77O.96.
 II the small number of conyicts is inc resul
 of diminished crime, We may regard the incur
 ring of expenses for their support as far bette
 TOT the State than would be larger income
 rom an increased number of criminals BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
 1 me Income from the permanent funGs o the American Asylum for the education O the Deaf and Dumb, was. prior to 1860, stuff ! clent to pay ene-half of the expenses of sup porting the institution. But the cost of sup plies has recently increased so much that the permanent funds have been impaired, and the Directors lind it nee 'ssary to make an add tlonal charge for the support and instruction of benefciaries.
 This and other hnmane institutions con. tlnue their benevolent and christian work in administering to the sick, in training the i'm beetle m educating the deaf mute, in check. Ing the paroxysms of the maniac and in in. spring the minds of the desponding with hope.
 The management oftbese institutions should be understood by the public, and ample appro- priations should be made to enable the direc. tors to carry out the benevolent designs of the founders and patrons of these charitable establishments Such appropriations will not only benefit these unfortunate children of the State, but add comfort and joy to many useholds. '
 STATE LIBRARIAN.
 The report of the State Librarian is of in: terest, having been prepared with great care. and exhibits the number of marriages. births and deaths within the State during the mast ten years, as we'll as the causes of the deaths. Nine thousand seven hundred and thirty four births, 9,l09 deaths, one 4,lO7 marriages have taken place during the past year.
 The experience and accurate observations Of the Librarian entitle his suggestions for se- curing more perfect registration, to consid- eration. : 1E 's'
 The New Britain and Middletown Railroad Company have finished and are now operating tnelr road. This is the sonly addition to the length of the track which has been completed duilng the pasr year within the State.s .s s5s
 The several railroad companies have carried nearly million more passengers than during my previous year. Their gross earnings have 'een unusually large, and their net earnings lave increased more than twenty-five per cent. Injuries by the cars have been sustained by [l7 persons, 52 of whom were either killed It the time of the accidents or dled soon liter. ......., ,l.--.o For the previous ten or twelve years the ieath of passenger while in his seat on our 'ailroads has been rarely chronicled, and the 'ecent occurrences may properly lead you to nquire whether measures cannot be adopted which will in future prevent sue h fearful loss ,f life ., 0-',-.-'-
 BANKS.
 During the past year twenty three banks with an aggregate capital of $7.85O 500, have changed from the State to the national system ,f doing business. .
 There are now. fortynine State banks. witb m aggregate capltaf, uu the fst uf-1nprff;- -vf sl3,073.e50 holding deposits amounting to S5297 .802 49, having 1852. 96 in specie United States securities amounting to st. s8l,- tl7 63; circulation of $7,3O5, ,O24, and bills discounted amounting to $l5.273,O0l 2l.
 The deposits in the 49 savings banks in the State increased during the year ending De. ,ember 31st, 1864, $2.l6O, ,O66 27, and amount ed on that day to $2924l,2 58. being an average of about $240 to each of the l2I, ,6s2 lepositers. .......... ....-. LIZ .'.
 An act to provide national currency, and to provide for the redemption of the same. passed by the Congress of the United States, permits the assessment by State authority of taxes on stock in banks organized anderr its provisions, provided that the same shall be paid at the place where the banks are located, and that the stock shall not be assessed at a greater rate than ts assessed upon other mon- jed capital in the hands of individual citizens of the State.
 Our laws provide for the taxation of bank and some other stocks at the places where the owners reside. As each town, borough and city determines the rate of taxation for munich pal purposes independently of others, the rule of taxation is not and cannot be uniform. -s
 These and other questions arising. from a change in our system of banking, are of prac- tical importance to the business public, and should be duly considered, for the purpose of making our laws harmonize with those of the federal government. and for the purpose of placing upon stockholders in those banks al, equitable share of public burdens. s
 AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. Fz
 The last General Assembly proposed by resolution an amendment to the Constitution of the State, which, if adopted, will give every male citizen of the United States resi- dent in this State, of good moral character, and of sufficient education to read our statutes, the privilege of becoming an elector.
 In republic the elective franchise may safely be granted to all virtuous and iDtelli- gent male citizens of proper age.
 We are now battling for the inalienable right of man without regard to race or color. In this struggle the colored men, hitherto de- graced and oppressed, have, in every section of the country, been on the side of the Govern ment, and are now in our armies by thousands Sighting for freedom under the protection of law. seeaE r 3>@ 'a-se 7'.! 9.
 Let us inspire the colored manx with self respect, and encourage him to struggle and hope for a more elevated destiny, by granting him the boon 30 long withheld
 DIVORCE .,..s,
 The multiplicity of applications before our courts for divorces, the ease with which they are obtained, and the, frivolous grounds upon which the sacred relations of marriage are of. ten sanaered, are 9 scandal upon our reputa- tlon and reproach to our morals and, our re- llglon. Tour attention is called to, this sub- )ect that you, as guardians of the public nor als. may, If possible, arrest this tendency to disregard and violate the most solemn obliga7 tions. =.
 The necessities of Connecticut soldiers ID Washington for some temporary relief, 7the em- barrassments which, they and their many fiiends experience from the wanti of informa lion, and the difficulties which discharged sol- iiers ind in securing their pay, have led me