Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-08-06
The Late Connecticut Legislature.

RESULTS OF DEMOCRATIC AscxNDENcY.
| A Hartford correspondent of the New
York Times describes as follows the char
acter and work Of the Legislature Of Con-
necticut, recently adjourned:
Never before, so far rs recollection or ira
dition furnishes any data, has there been
50 weak body Of lawmakers in Connec-
ticut. The so-called reform movement,
which is responsible for it, is of itself such
gigantic fraud that really nothing better
could be expected of it. The Lower House
was especially weak, and disposed, through
its Ignorance of common principles Of law
and of corporate rights. to be meddlesome.
As partisan body it was failure. Every
move has been bungling, and the Democratic
organization is weakened in consequence.
1t did not have the courage to stand by its
own professions and promises. A commit
tee on federal relations was raised at an early
day for the purpose of bringing in set Of
resolutions on Federal usurpations in Louis
lana. and all that sort of thing but the
the leaders did not dare trust their own
men, and avoided the issue by doing moth
ing, thus gaining a good reputation for cow
ardice among the faithful of the Senator
Eaton sort. The Senator himself must feel
this thrust keenly, for there stands his
great speech in the Senate unindorsed at
home because no man had the pluck to
stand up and deferd it, The liquor dealers
insisted upon the repeal Of the local option
feature of the license law on the ground that
1t was unconstitutional, and upon reduc-
ton of licenses, and it was considered that
in view of their great services to the party
their demands would be obeyed They did
succeed in getting majority of the temper
ance committee and supposed the victory was
at hand but the backbone Of the committee
did hold out and the House went back on every
thing in moment of fright and demoraliza-
ton and to cap all the Supreme Court of
the state on the same day decided local
option to be constitutional .fhe liquor men
had expended several thousand dollars, and
before election contributed literally in many
towns to assist Democratic candidates for
the Legislature. On every issue that was
to be made as matter OF party principle,
the party itself showed the white feather
Weak IN business capacity, it was weak also
IN selt-gOvernment. a virtue will be claim
ed because Of its apparent non-partisan-
liberation nor even of prudent apprehension,
but was natural outflow of poor materials, |
not adhesive enough in themselves to be re- |
Specially consistent, nor having a leader |
ship with intelligence enough to convince,
reason enough to persuade, nor force |
enough to Compel-a fatal condition of |
things at both extremes that will ruin any
party that has either bowels or brains
Abiding to charges of yenality and cor
ruption existing on the Democratic side of
the House, this correspondent mentions
the following a, lone of the uumerou, in
stances Of similar character
On the evening before the vote on the
Piantsville depot case was to be taken. two
gentlemen interested in it were approached
by Mr.. Oliver IL. Hartwell Democratic mem
Der OF the House from New Milford, Itch
held county, who inquired how the ques-
ton was going, and then volunteered To say
that he and bis friends always voted straight
v here there was matter Of principle in
'olyed, bat he understood that in this case
i was local quarrel and it made no
Inference 10 himself or them how it
went Having intimated that it would
'e agreeable on his part to receive some
slight compensation-for {
'oting where there was no principle involved. F.;
&c was told to name the amount that would :
re satisfactory to himself and the other I
in whose behalf he appeared. lie
AID he thought S300-:S2j apiece-would l
re about right. Not receiving the encour- a
cement he expected Immediately. he re- t
marked that the other side would do better O
Y him than that, and after some further c
be was told that there was no y
ioney On hand to pay $500. The next t
loruing early he met one Of the gentlemen t.
gain, and taking him aside, said lyon n
al better fix that matter now no time can O.
e lost, as the vote will be taken this fore Il
Don. How much money he got, if any. ?
D not know, though am assured that the y
de he approached did not give him any.
ANY persons are familiar with all the facts 4
the case, and will support them in any "
roper place, a. they would have done had h,
lere been an honest disposition on the part i
the Legislature 10 investigate 1t i the i
stimony Of the best-iniormed gentlemen in =.
yl>!ative matters that We have had no ses- II
IN before where 50 much corruption among e.
emberS has prevailed. and the working field n,
: been principally in Litchfeld county.