Morning journal and courier., 1881-04-15
Tne work of the Legislature. From the Hartford f1p-a,t

'
 Not including numerous matters adversely | reported. there have been some $50 separate
 measures printed for calendar, consisting
 very largely of acts of incorporation, and \ other matters of minor importance The bills
 Of general importance which have been en- I acted into laws are few, not a remarkable | fact when it is remembered that the Lepisla- | ture has been in annual session for a hundred years making laws for the State There are. however, few noteworthy measures which
 will make the session memorable The bill fixing single standard of time for the State
 Is step in advance which will soon be fol-
 lowed by other States. The new apportion- ment of Senate districts, while not satisfac tory measure to those who think the State should have one branch fairly representative, Is certainly an important measure and it is to
 be hoped will meet the expectations of it's friends. The new election law is fair and beneficial. The bill to prevent the incursions of foreign quacks is a step in the right direc- tion, although too lenient in its provisions, Unless we are mistaken the bill organizing an oyster commission and providing for the fu- ture care of the extensive oyster grounds be- longing to the State will prove an exceeding
 ly useful and valuable measure Litigants will be benefited by the change of the laws
 regulating term fees and the fees of clerks of
 courts. The bill allowing the suppression of
 the steam whistle nuisance deserves commen-
 dation, also the bill to protect life at such
 crossings as that of Morgan street in this
 city. The bill preventing change of text
 books in schools except under rigid restric-
 t1ons ought to put an end to growing evil.
 In the matter of tax laws there have been no important changes beneficial or otherwise.
 The tax on mutual insurance companies has, been reduced, and several of the poorer rail roads have had their taxes abated A few of the numerous temperance measures intro duced have received favorable action, the new laws being designed to secure strict enforcement of the present law. There was an evident disposition not to enact any measures which would tend to cripple the present excellent local-option law. A com- mission has been appointed to codify the temperance laws of the State The Valley railroad, in spite of diversity, secured per mission to extend it's line. Windham county has new county seat with Willimantic vir- tually half-shire town. Litchfield coun- ty has been placed in the first judicial dis trict, Voluntown has been changed to New London county, the charter of the city of New Haven has been changed, and the voters of New Haven and East Haven authorized to decide the annexation question.
 Acts of incorporation have been passed for almost everything that can be incorporated, from Mexican railroads to the Bantam Vigi- lance society. The most important of these are the Mexican railway construction con- pany, and the Rapid Telegraph and Tele- phone construction company, both of which of a national or international character. Among other matters a new agricultural school has been established, peddlers from other States are required to obtain licenses, nearly every pond in the State has been pro- tected against poaching fishermen, game has been reasonably we'll taken care of, oysters have been rescued from the ravages of the steam dredge, and stray bulls have been put under ban. The various eleemosynary insti- tutions have received appropriations to the amount of some Ss2O0,00O, and other neces- sary appropriations increase the total to about 1925, ,OOO. Women have been refused the right to vote at school meetings the proposition for a much needed survey of the State has been defeated, as well as the board of pardons bill the color blind law has been repealed, and cider is not included among in toxicating liquors. Among the defeated bills are two or three which deserved better fate, but the regret at their loss is compen- sated by the fact that such measures as the savings bank investment bill and the bill to facilitate obtaining divorces are buried in the same grave