Litchfield enquirer., 1871-05-25

ing or repeating arms, good uniforms, and ! regular annual or semi encamp- ments, as inducements for the yonng men of the state to connect themselves with our militia. The last general assembly provid cd for the appointment of a committee to inquire into this whole subject. I shall refer you to their report in the belief that you will give to the matter the attention, which it's importance demands.
 Our agricultural interests should not be lost sight of Most of our farmers desire to use their heads to help their hands: and heartily unite in all efforts which are de- signed to enable them to become better and therefore more successful farmers. While some are inclined to desert our less attractive and somewhat sterile soil, and seek the rich fields of the west, others en- gage heartily in rendering more alIuring and productive their paternal acres. These are eager to use every improvement sag d gested by science or established by the ex perience of practical men. While other states are establishing boards of agricul- ture. and deriving arguments for this course from our success, it seems to me not the part of wisdom for this state to take retro grade course and abolish it's board of agri culture. The interest of agriculture in the state is important and varied enough to warrant the employment of at least one man. with competent board of advisers to collect andss disseminate information upon the different branches of husbandry- We have now no legislation designed to pre-. vent or control the spread of contageous diseases among our focks and herds. Ex- perience for the past few years has clearly oh fho unnnSsifv nf soma nr0tactinn fOr our cattle breeders. I recommend that the board of agriculture be re.instated and clothed with authority in this direction. Unless this is doney commissioners should be appointed by the governor or the gen erai assembly, whose powers and duties should, be fully defined by law.
 For the first time in the history of the State our colored fellow citizens have had the privilege of voting which should never have been denied them, and it is but just in them to say, they have exercised this privilege, with an appreciation of it's inn portance and responsibility which seems to have silenced all opposition. The word white is still in our constitution. Inas- much as it is made null and void by the adoption of the fifteenth amendment to the federal constitution. I recommend that it be striken from ours.
 The ninth census of the United States, which has been taken since the last meet ing of the general assembly. shows very gratifying increase. not only in the popula- tion of the State but in the varied indus. trial pursuits in which our citizens are en, gagged. The session of the general assem- bly succeeding the decennial census is des- ignated by the constitution as the only one in which the senatorial districts may be altered, eff found necessary to preserve a proper equality between said districts in respect to the number of inhabitants there in," and this duty therefore devolves upon you. As it is further provided that in the formation of districts, no town shall be divided, and no portion of one county shall be- joined to the whole or part. of another, that no county shall have less than two senators, and that said districts shall not be less than eight, nor more than twenty fonr in number, perfect equality iE popula. tion in the several districts cannot be at tained. but careful encouragement of the towns of the State will partially remedy the present inequality. As bill apportioning in Congress based upon the new census has not yet been passed it is not known whether revision of the con gressional districts in this State will be re. .qnired. a g. zss- .f ,sz4 aI Fa
 Our laws with regard to the property rights of married women seem to need amendment We are far behind the spirit of the age in this matter, Whatever opin- ions may be entertained as to the true po- litical status of woman, I think no fair minded person will deny, that if women have no direct voice in the legislation of the State, men should enact such laws as will secure to them perfect justice. I re- new therefore the recommendation I made two years ago that the laws should be so amended as to make the rights of the wife to her property in all respects equal to those of the husband in his, and that the same interest be secured to either survivor in the property of the other.
 desire to call the attention of the gen : eral assembly to the fact that while our le. gal rate of interest is but six per cent, very little money is in fact loaned at that rate, except from the school fund. Millions of dollars anually leave this State, not so much for higher market, as for market where higher rate is legalized. Such a state of things appears to be detrimental to our best interests. @@a
 Both the executive and financial depart. ments of the State are constantly needing legal advice. We have now no officer des- ignated to give it. Most of the States elect an attorney general with the other State officers, and in the absence of better plan, I would advise that the governor be author ized to appoint one to hold his office for one year, with a moderate but fixed salary.
 Our war claims as they are termed, are nearly closed up. An agent appointed by my predecessor, has, under late rulings of the government collected of the United States more than one hundred thousand dollars since the commencement of the present fiscal year, which has been paid into the State treasury. There is still quite an amount our due which will be speedily collected. Everything not adjusted by the first of July will be cut of by act of Con- gress. a# Y ess4 e1 ~eJ q gsl An actIwas passed by the general assem- .bly of 1867 exempting all railroad secur- ities of this State from taxation, in lieu of which, the corporations themselves pay in- to the treasury of the State one per cent on their stock, bonded and floating debt. This law has been so construed as to cover all railroad bonds wherever located, wheth- CT in the State or out of 1t. I think this was not tue intention of the general assem- bly, which passed the bill. I would suggest that an act be passed which shall be uni. form in. its application and not uncertain in it's language. ? ssS