New-York tribune., 1873-04-17
CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION.

QUESTIONS COMING BEFORE THE NEXT LEGISLATURE
THEIR PARTIsAN BEARISGs-THE CAPITAL RE-
MovAL AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
PROBABLE RESTORATION OF TIE UsURY LAW.
lpRoM AN OCCASIONAL CoRREsPoSDESr OF THE TRIBUNEl
HARTFORD, April II. - Ih2 Democrats and
Liberals have a majority in the lower branch Of the
General Assembly Of 49, and get the cont 1 Of that body
for the first time in 20 years. There members
who were elected distnchyely as Liberals This @nti-
Administration preponderance makes such complete
revolution In the political character OF the House that
the legislation OF the session WILL perhaps be materially
affected by il many questions OF local nature INTO
which political consideration will be apt 10 enter The
Republicans have held power so long, that even IN
natterl winch ordinarily would have party aspect,
the opposition has given certain partisan direction
and when these questions come up again IL VIII DC
almost impossible not TO make the disposition OF them
more or less political affair. There are, for example
the question OF a Constitutional Convention. the
matter of taxing the premium notes OF mutual life IN
surance companies and the usury law, which was re-
peaed last year, which will take, IN some degree, "A
party shape IN spite of all independent considerations
There Is danger that the majority Will nave 10 aVOd
TO preserve ascendency the future, and that is that
too much partisanshp will weaken the force OF even
the most practical legislation and arouse an opposition
before the people which will turn the Legislature the
other way next year. II the wsest methods are
adopted, and every question is judged on its ndepend-
ent merits it possible for the triumphant party, this
year. TO retain its hold for considerable time in all the
departments OF the State Government. Next year a
United States senator is to be elected TO succeed Sena-
tor Buckingham, and that will probably be kept in mind
and 80 far as may be- influence the majority to move
with caution, that there may be no throwing away OF
chances by hasty or ilcontryed legislation.
The two leading topics to be discussed idurng the
the Capital question and the constitutional
Convention. There will be an effort made to combine
the two. II believed here that some OF the opponents
of Hartford have advocated the Constitutional Conyen-
ton rs a sort OF backGre the capital project, and
seek the defeat Of both by uniting them The general
feeling in the city among those VINO want this capital
ght settled this year is that there should be separa
ton OF the two questions that the fate OF the capital
matter would be put In shazird by trusting It to the
chances OF constitutional revision under the plan pro-
posed which is admitted to be revolutionary though
being peacefully So It's advocates that it is usta
be and that aside from the shape Of the two questions,
the capital amendment being in the regular order OF
change as provided in the Constitution ITSELF many Of
the most earnest friends of the sole capital movement
would be compelled 10 oppose IT, either being entirely
hostile to change of the Constitution in respect 10
other matters or adverse to the plan OF change sug
gesed.
There seems to be no doub: that if the capital question
by itself is acted Upon it will secure wOhrds vote III
both Houses 1t is surety that the Senate-whore
the proposition was defeated years ago-s at least
Is TO d in favor of it, and the House. where the last
test was made, Overwhelmingly two-thirds on this
side OF the question there every assurance that 1t Will
be the II this capital business shall oe settled
at the outset. resolution calling Constitutional Con-
venton it IS thought will pass though the most serious
argument against it will be the ground that the plan
proposed in urging a majority of the Legislature TO
make the call and majority OF Convention TO revise
ana majority Of the people TO ratify, ignoring the two
thirds of the Legislature in the second year. ia
violation OF the present Constitutions and strong
claim can made the ground touching only single
polnt that If the majority rule Is recognized by revou
tonary action there will be danger OF constant revsOns
and changes to suit the caprice design OF political
pares from year 10 year. from decade TO another
But strong reasons will be given the other sde chiefly
by showing the great defects existing in the present
instruiuent, and making justification that majority
action was only required in making the Constitution OF
1878 and will do now. the growing wants Of the State
demand various changes and the people will submit to
any change that is not violent Unless the question
should assume partisan shape favorable action is prob
able il either side shall fooishly make partisan it
will fail between the two Houses.
The Usury law which repealed last year, will be
restored in some shape with probably per cent
limit to all money contracts. The law now in force
makes all contracts in writing above six per cent TO ten
legal Moneyed men have evidently had very little
dence that the law would remain in loans generally
which WAS carried under the old law has been pre-
served Ii has been most unfortunate year-in time
Of general monetary depresson-for new law to have
fair trial. and it is probable that If the old law had
stood borrowers would have had to pay much they
have paid since it repealed yet circumstances ana
conditions weigh little in the minds of those who
opposed change from the start, and neither party
had the pluck to stand up for the law the popular
demand has grown very strong for the eGnactment and
it will go through the Legislature probably with rush,
placing Connecticut again the lone star in New
England and almost in the whole country, in favor OF
usury laws.
While the campaign in progress. 1t apparent
that the Mutual Life Insurance companies prepar
ing the repeal of the act passed last year
taxing notes. but the country towns have been heard
from, and there will be no reduction OF taxation in that
particular and the company auditors will not be called
on TO look over many LOBBY bills anticipated.