Morning journal and courier., 1880-02-25
LOCAL NEWS.
The Legislature.

I complfshed-Matters of Interest Re. fore the Committees-The Oyster Question to be Discussed To-Day. Especial correspondence of the JOURNAL COURIER HARTFORD, February 24, 1880. Both branches of the Legislature assem- bled at 12 o'clock noon to-day, and both did considerable business before the adjournment for dinner. In the Senate a number of peti- | tions for release from State prison were re- l jected in concurrence. Representative Wad hams term fee bill was killed, the Senate voting to adhere to it's vote rejecting it on re- port from it's conference committee. The most important matter before the Sen ate was the passage of an amendment to the divorce law, which provides that-t'No com plainant praying for divorce shall be heard or any decree granted thereon, until after the expiration of ninety days from the day tc which such complaint is made returnable. The Judiciary Committee submitted this as all the legislation to be recommended on the subject. A strong presentation had beer made in behalf of bill employing State at torneys to appear for the defendant wher there was no other appearance, but the com mittee, after thoroughly investigating the whole matter, were convinced that no gooe could be obtained, because there would be op portunities for evading the strict letter of the law. It is believed that the present bill will remedy some of the evils complained of. The Senate at 1:20 adjour ned until 10:30 a. m. Wednesday.
 Tho House.
 In the House a petition was received and ea~ kIa nf hn Noyr Haven Electric Light Company. The inco1' porators named are Edwin s. Greeley, E. G. Stoddard, Morris F. Tyler, Charles W. Scran- ton, Wilbur F. Day, James F. Colby, H. Fl. Strong, 0. s. Glen. The Committee on Rail roads reported favorably on resolution al- lowing the New York and New England Rail road Company to use boats at Harlem in con- nection with the road.
 The resolution appropriating $2,5oo for the Connecticut State Agricultural Society, pro- vided like sum is raised by subscription and a fair is held, was reported favorably. MT. Bailey, of Danbury, thought as the twenty four local societies only received $3,o0O this society was not entitled to $2, BOO. The matter was tabled for further consideration.
 The bill providing that towns may prescribe the method of repairing high ways, and authorizing the Selectmen to ap- point supervisors or commissioners to contract for the repairs, was explained by MT. Carpen- ter, of Norwich, and passed.
 Resolution releasing from State prison John H. Shields, of New Haven, convicted of rape in 1878, was presented MT. Parker, of East Haddam, said there was doubt about identif- cation, and the woman had made affidavit that she swore falsely on the trial. State Attorney Doolittle and ex State Attorney Platt both rec commended the release. The release was granted.
 The resolution concerning the Connecticut and New York boundary was made the special order for Wednesday, March 3d.
 number of bills and resolutions reported on adversely were rejected. Among these was one providing for gold medal for Ira E. Forbes in recognition of services in the Six teenth Connecticut Volunteers. Prohibiting hunters from going on lands without the con- sent of owners. Prohibiting the taking of more than six per cent interest under penal ty, and others of minor importance.
 The resolution releasing George Beebe from State prison, April 4, 1880, passed.
 At 1:15 p. m. the House adjourned to 10:30 Q. m. Wednesday.
 Before Committees.
 The Judiciary Committee met at o'clock and considered several matters. Among oth- CTS before them was Attorney Hamilton, of New Haven, who advocated an act relating to civil actions, and which provides that when objections are made the objection and ruling of the court shall be written down and placed on file, so that there may be no question about the ruling should the case go to the Supreme Court of Errors. Another bill that he advo- cated provides that charges to jury shall be written out by the judge when requested so to do by either party.
 J, J. Webb. of Hamden, appeared before the Committee on Agriculture in favor of the bill relating to the encouragement of emigration to this State from England and Scotland. The bill provides for commission to go to these countries and offer inducements to thrifty farmers to locate in this State. MT. Webb thought that Connecticut could offer advan- taees, so far as soil and markets were con- cerned, that were superior to any State in the Union. He hoped the State would make 8 beginning and spell the word can't without 8 t.
 Before the Committee on Interpretations appeared Judge Morris to advocate an act to increase the capital stock of the the New Haven Water Company, in order that company may extend their water mains. The committee signifed to Judge Morris that they would recommend the passage of the bill The committee were to have heard par ties interested in charter for water com pany at East Haven, who propose to supply that borough with water from Saltonstall Lake, George H. Watrous, Esq, stated to the committee that the petitioners had con- scented to postponement for week, and in the meantime an engagement might be made with the New Haven Water Company where by the petitioners would think it best to with draw the bill. The bill was laid on the table temporarily.
 Before this committee came also the indom- E T., H0odvuir nf Eask Hartford with two bills, which, although aimed at corpora tions generally, were really fired at the New York, New Haven'and Hartford railroad par ticularly. One was bill requiring corpora tions to disclose their stock books to stock holders and allow copies to be made from them whenever stockholders so desired. Mr. Goodwin claimed that he had often tried to get access to the books of the Consolidated road, but had never yet been able to do so. The other act that he desired passed was one to prevent officers of corporations from voting by proxy at annual meetings He advocated the bills at length. President Watrous replied to his ssrestless friend" as he termed MT. Goodwin, whom he thought might have some thing in his head that led him to think that if he was not serving God he was serving his fellow man. MT. Watrous opposed the sev- eral propositions advanced by MT. Goodwin as detrimental, not only to the interests of the corporation which he represented, but to all similar corporations and as entirely impracti cable.
 The Committee on Education held brief session. Among other business transacted they voted to send letter to Superintendent Parish of the New Haven School district, say ing to him that the committee did not under stand that he appeared before them in an off cial capacity to advocate the bill relating to the appointment of county school commis- sioners to examine into the qualifications of teachers.
 Tomorrow Wednesday, the Committee on Fisheries will hear those interested in the bill reported by the oyster commission, which will probably attract to the Capitol many New Haven and Fair Haven parties.
 Committee on Sewers
 The first meeting of the Committee on