Litchfield enquirer., 1877-03-29
The Legislature.


 The legislature which adjourned last week, accomplished some very necessary work. Two of its acts are especially com mendable. Connecticut has at last given married women control of theft own prop erty, and has made the widows legal suc- cessory interest Tn the estate of the de- ceased husband equal to that of aAhe wid- ower's successory interest in the estate of the deceased wife. 1t is great pity that thls law could not have reached existing as well as future marriages, but the hus- bands interest in the wife's property is a ''vested right" which it was thought the legislature could not constitutionaily take away. Another great step forward was made in the passage of law allowing mi- norities representation on town boards. This measure has long been urged, but has always lacked few votes of a major ity in the lower House, where only town majorities are represented.
 T#o other important measures came near passage: the bill giving women the right of voting at town and other munici- pal elections; and the bill abolishing the usury law. In both cases the legislature seemed to know what was right. but were afraid to do it.
 The abolition of certificate voting was measure everyone expected of Republi- MoY 0%s1wa ho nf +ho rascalities of the New Haven board of county commissioners gave very good excuse for legislating them out of office. The proposed changes in the license law did not strike us favorably. Tine imme- diate benefit derlved by towns from license fees conduces materially we be- lieve. to the enforcement of the law. Were license monies aaRid into the state treasu- ry, we judge that they would be found very rapidly dwindling source of revenue.
 The leadership of MT. Wiley on the Republican side of the House has not al- ways been satisfactory, and the frequency with which the Speaker has left his chair to lead important measures on the floor. indicated 8 want of confidence in the chairmen of committees that was hardly complimentary.
 The Democratic side of the House has been ably led and the Courant pays the following compliment to member from this town: ''The illness of MT. Graves, which deprived the House of his presence during the past three weeks, was deeply regretted. His vigorous remarks and his industrious and valuable work in the judi ciary. committee were much missed" Mir. Baldwin, of New Milford. has also proved @ candid and able legislator. though lag ging little in the rear of an improving public opinion upon woman suffrage and some other important matters.
 This county was ably represented on the Republican side, though lacking the "talking talent" of the Democracy. MT. Dains, of Harwinton, did excellent service in the matter of the minority representa- ton bills, and Messrs. Gay, Brooks, Gray and others yielded good deal of with their fellow legislators.
 In the Senate both Messrs. Huntington and Coe have been very influential mem- bers; the former as debater, and the latter through the independent, non-par: tisan course he has taken upon measures that are generally determined by parti- sansh1p. Mir. Bishop also proved a very Senator, with sharp eye al- ways to the special interests of the great railroad company of which he is president but with exceedingly liberal views on other matters.