Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-06
THE GOYBRNOR,s MEssAGE,

The message of Governor Bigelow, deliv-
 cred to the General Assembly yesterday, is 1 not too long to be read comfortably, and | contains much that is interesting and impor- tant
 After brief and appropriate opening re- l marks the Governor takes up the subject of State fnanees. On January 1, 1883, $s77,- 900 of State bonds will become due. It is
 probable that a part of this will have to be
 refunded, but the Governor thinks it ought
 to be as small part as is consistent with a
 proper administration of the government and
 reasonable taxation. He says: ''The day
 when the debts of State fall due is as sure
 to come as the day when private debts are
 payable. In either case the only way in
 which to meet that day is by saving. With
 the present rate of taxation and wise and
 provident economy in the appropriation of
 public money at least the beginnings of 8
 sinking fund may be made by this Assembly,
 This recommendation should be acted upon.
 better time to begin to prepare for the payment of the State bonds will hardly be found.
 The next important recommendation is that the color-blind law be repealed. It is point ed out that as no railroad accident in this State, or in the other States of the Union, has ever been traced to color blindness, or to defective visual power of railroad employ es, no good reason exists for the continuance of the law. It is also suggested that if any enactments concerning this matter are deem ed desirable the whole subject be left, by some simple provision of law, to the railroad corporations themselves, their experience and their interests being such as to enable them to decide what precautions are best fitted to secure the safety of the travelling public. It is further suggested that what ever the law may be it's execution be en- trusted to the Railroad Commissioners in- stead of the Board of Health If this advice lie will not suffer.
 The Governor does not believe in the taxa tion of deposits in savings banks, because this tax is part of our unjust system of double taxation and bears hardest upon those who can least afford to pay it. He says: "I know it is an easy tax to collect, know it is honored by time and custom; but ask you to examine the items of receipts of the State as given by the Treasurer and determine if, all things considered, it is a fairly proportionate tax and also if, in view of the other kinds of wealth which are or may be subject to l tribute, it is wise to lay so large direct tax l upon the weakest portion of our people,"
 Concerning the reapportionment of sena- torial districts Governor Bigelow calls atten- tion to the fact that notwithstanding the | provision that the basis of representation in ! the Senate should be adjusted from time to I time no such adjustment has taken place | during fifty years. During that time the ! population has increased from 2S7, ,675 to | 622, ,6S3, and this increase has been remarka- | bly, variable in different parts of the State. | As a result of these changes, six districts, | with combined population of S3, 800, balance | in the present Senate six other districts hav- ing a population of 2S1 800, while ten dis triets, with population of All, TOO can be outvoted by eleven districts which have a i population of 199, ,oOO. The simple statement of such facts ought to be sufficient to bring l about the desired reapportionment, without which there is little that is representative | about the Legislature.
 A good word is spoken for the National Guard, the common schools, the State prison directors and officers and the Connecticut Prison Association, rural improvement, the State Reform School, the Industrial School for Girls, the School for Imbeciles, the man. 1facturing interests of the State and the proposed State survey.
 While there is nothing startling" in the message, it is on the whole sound, sensible document and will make a good impression apon its readers.