Litchfield enquirer., 1879-12-04
The Presidents Message.

| on the large saving of over fourteen millions of interest by the refunding of the public debt. The marked features of the financial policy proposed are the retirement of greenbacks and the stopping of further coinage of silver, for both of which measures he offers unanswer- able reasons
 The President devotes considerable space to the question of civil service reform He | insists upon the earnestness of the popular wish for reform of that kind as shown in the platforms of both parties and upon the excel lent working of the plan as far as tried. He urges this reform strongly on Congress, and | demands their assistance in carrying out the popular will. The national finances are in good condition, but the drain of the pension arrears act has made itself severely felt and will continue to be so for year OF more to come.
 A number of matters of subordinate impor- tance are urged on Congress- further legisla- tion is demanded against polygamy the pay Of U. s. Marshals, withheld at the last session of Congress, should be provided for; Sec Schurz' plan for giving the Indians the fee of their lands in severalty, at some specified fu- ture.time, is approved; appropriations are al- so urged for the completion of the Washington Monument; and the bad condition of the streets of the capital, and the necessity of re- claiming the unhealthy marshes near the city, are brought to the attention of Congress. The political temper of the Message is ad- mirable, the portion urging the freedom and security of the franchise, and that referring to the necessity of paying Marshals' election ex- penses, being strongly but not bitterly stated In short this message is one of the best state papers of one of the best administrations this country has ever known.
 The death of the Hon. John Cotton Smith removes, man who has probably been longer prominent in politics than anyone now living in this vicinity. Of a noted Federalist family and grandson of the last Federalist Governor of the State, he joined the Jacksonians as a young man just out of college, and was sent by them to the legislature in 1883 when only 23 years old. He continued great favorite with that party for many Years, and has always held a prominent position ln local politics. We clip the following brief sketch of his life from the Bridgeport Farmer:
 Hon. John Cotton Smith died of heart dis ease at his home in Sharon, Friday morning (21st). He was born at Tivoli, N r., and graduated from Yale College Ill 1S30 Mr. Smith was first elected to tlle House of Rep- resentatives in 1883, and the following year was returned as member He was dele gatefrom Connecticut to the Democratic Nation al Convention in 1885, and was chosen it's sec retary. In 1889 he received the Democratic vote for Congress. In 1842 he was a member of the House of Representative, and was one of the six delegates from Connecticut in the Baltimore Convention of 1844, which resulted in the nomination to the Presidency of James K. Polk. In 1845 he was the Democratic nominee for Congress in the Fourth District, but was defeated by his Whg opponent, Hon. Truman Smith. In the following year he went to Europe and remained abroad until 1851. In 1853 he was again a member of the House Of Representatives, and reelected in 1854, at which session he received the Demo- cratic vote for Speaker. a:d in 1856 was delegate to the Cincinnati convention, which resulted in the nomination of Buchanan. At the State election of 1888, he was the Demo- cratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, and the same season went as minister to the Re- public of Bolivia, South America, and was superseded in 1861 by Judge D. c. Carter of Ohio In 1870 he was again a member of the General Assembly, when he called the House to order, being the oldest member. His last term in the House was in 1876 He held an influential position in the Democratic party of Connecticut for forty years or more.
 The attention of our readers is called to the new advertisement of Baker and Brnsmade. We were in Washington, last week, and were shown through their furniture rooms. They have large and varied stock on hand, large. part of the upper rooms of thelr large store, and the whole wing formerly occupied as a hardware store and tin shop, being now filled with furniture. The prices put upon the vari- ous articles of this large stock seemed very low, and we advise any of our readers who are desirous of buying good furniture cheap to give Baker & Brinsmade call.
 PRISON REFORM. In our Milwaukee House of Correction there is an investigation going on respecting It's management, instigated by an expose published by an ex-convict. This exposition was blood curdling. Upon the strength of it the Governor ordered the State board of charities and Reforms to examine in- to it. The developments have even more than sustained the awful truths of the first account. The investigation has been in pro- gress two weeks, and Is not through with yet. What the beneficial results will be is yet to be seen. There is chance for some Prison Reform here. Experience has proven, in eve " instance, that where prisoners have receiv- ed the most humane treatment there has been the most moral improvement.
 MILWAUKEE. Nov. 2S, 1S49 E. W.B
 The trial of the Pennsylvania lobbyist, be- gun, last week, is unfortunately delayed by an informality in the indictment.
 New Milford
 N~S' yonng man, you will have to post pone your swinging on tuo s-.a-
 The usual number of visitors were here over Thanksgiving
 The tobacco shops are nearly all running full blast.
 We like to see a man consistent-in eve rything
 Rev. Mir. Crofut exchanged with Rev. Mir. Pierce, of Brookfeld, last Sunday.
 It is announced that the temperance soci- ety that was organized during the Murphy ex-