Litchfield enquirer., 1878-04-04
At the New Capitol.


 The legislature met at the new capitol, last week, to finish their winters session. In the new Representatives chamber much difficulty was experienced in hearing the speakers, ow ing to the reverberatIon-a difficulty that is ex- pected to be removed by carpeting the floor. In the Senate chamber, which has been carpet ed, there was no such annoyance.
 The Senate chamber is now arranged for twenty-one members only, though we are glad to hear that it is large enough for double that number. Should there ever be another Constl- tutOnal Convention in this state, there is little doubt that the number of senators will be greatly increased, and that of the Representa- tives diminished. The proportion as it now stands is nearly twelve Representatives to one Senator, which makes rather unwieldly House, and Senate so small as to be mere council The usual proportion is three or four Representatives to each senator, the number of Senators varying from 30 to 50; and that of the Representatives, frem 100 to 200. Few of the States which have adopted the district sys- tenn have as many as 150 Representatives. In our New England legislatures, in which the representation was originally that of towns, and where the senate started with a small governors council, the disproportion between the two legislative branches is very great. Massachusetts has 40 Senators and 240 Repre- sentatives; Vermont, 30 Senators and 238 Rep resentatives i; and New Hampshire but 12 Sen ators to 341 Representatives. No doubt some- time in the near future, Connecticut will give up its present unjust and unequal system of representation, and then there will unquestion- ably be great change in the size of our res- pective legislative Houses
 The Stewart Hotel is finally ready for busi- ness There are some things about it that promise we'll and some which do not promise 30 we'll Chief among the first is the fact that it offers really sumptuous fare and accommo- dations at terms ranging from $6 to $1O, a week. It will be great boon, in other words, to women earning from $400 or $500, or more, a year (no idlers are allowed) and will there fore form an excellent base of operations for the independent, and energetic women now everywhere forcing their way into the better paying kinds of business hitherto monopolized by men, On the other hand women of the ordinary working class will find no place here; for the rates charged, and which must be paid in advance, are altogether too high for their means. The rules promulgamated, seem also rather too stringent for the taste of working women of the independent and energetic kind that would seem best suited to the place.
 We see it stated in one of the papers that it is to be open to women travellers without escort. If such is the case it will supply long needed want. Much of course will depend on it's management. It may be of almost inesti- mable advantage to the woman's movement for better and wider fields of employment, or it may degenerate into a mere refuge for ''de- cayed gentlewomen."
 A Goshen subscriber gives us the history of the four brass guns captured by Stark from Baum at the battle of Bennington, Aug 16, TIT. 'In the war of 1912 they were loaned to the national government and taken to De- troit. When Hull capitulated to the British, they came into their possession again, and were removed to Fort George at the mouth of the Niagara River. When that fortress fell, the guns came into the hands of the Ameri- cans again, were removed to Sackctt's Har- bor, and used the next time in firing salute on occasion of General Harrson's victory over General Proctor in the battle of the Thames. Two of them are are retained by Vermont, one by New Hampshire, and the one remaining is either in Massachusetts or is in Washington
 'sI first heard the firing of these cannon in Aug 1881, and repeatedly since then. They always remind one of the capture, about 1793, by British man of war, of the Olive Branch laden with arms purchased in France for the State of Vermont. These guns were shipped in pursuance of an undertaking of Gen. Ira Allen to supply the State, and were purchas- ed with the avails of sale of aninterest in the Old Furnace at Salisbury in this State." It was oppressive proceedings of this descrip- tion that led to the war of 1812.
 Mir. Howe'S diatribe against the President has fallen pretty fiat and the Senate caucus
 
 coercing the administration, adjourned with out action, evidently thinking the job hope less. On the other hand the partisanship ex- hibited in the House is almost equally dis gusting. Last week they seated by one vote a. F. Butler's) Democrat Tn place of Re- publican clearly elected in one of the Massa- chusetts Districts. They also refuse to deal  with Doorkseper Polk, and try to cut down the salaries of senatorial and executive ap- pointees, while they leave those of their own appointees untouched or increase them.
 B. F. Butler has evidently made up his mind to rely on the Greenback dodge for re- election, next fall. His course, this session, and especially his assisting the Democrat will put him too far outside the Republican party to admit of his running as. their candi- date. In fact the Republican party of Massa- chusetts, now happily cleansed of Butlerism, Simmonsism and Blainism, is the most out spoken reform organization in the country.
 Of seventeen contested elections, the House of Representatives have as yet acted upon four only, and in every instance as partisans, and not as just judges. This matter of con- tested seats has always been one of the favor ite stamping grounds" of the political parti- san, but the present Congress, both Senate and House. have rather exceeded the usual limits of partisan tyranny in this field of polit
 cal operations.
 A strange case came to a sudden termination