Morning journal and courier., 1882-04-27
Thursday Morning, April p. 1882.
THE LEGISLATURE,

1 The Legislature adjourned si4le die yester- day noon after very long session, so long that the legislators themselves are by no means the only ones who are glad that it is at last ended It is evident that our repre- sentatives have earned their money, but would it not be better in the future to pay more for such service and make the sessions biennial instead of annual
 Before the session began there did not ap- pear to be any great amount of work for the Legislature to do, but this appearance was deceitful. In the last Legislature the num- Der of printed bills was less than three hun dred and fifty and this was in excess of any | previous year. This year the calendar con- tains nearly four hundred bills an average of over six bills a day for the entire sixty-two l days of the session As there are always more measures reported adversely than fla vorably, it follows that this Legislature has had to receive more than eight hundred sep arate measures all of which have been re- ferred to committees and presumably con- sidered on their merits, before they could be acted upon by either House.
 Of course much of the work done during the session has been of no special importance. The most notable matter dealt with was the Parallel scheme This was wisely disposed of and the general railroad law has been 50 amended that those who want to put money into new railroad in this Stats will not be obliged to ask for special charter to enable them to do so. The temperance problem has been struggled with and the new license law will enable every town in the State not only to decide for itself, but also to enforce its decisions in regard to prohibiting the li- quor traffic. A law has also been passed au thorizing the use of text books on temper ance in the common schools, if the majority of the legal voters of the district vote in fa- vor of that course The House in addition to these measures has taken the first step to- wards submitting to the people constitu- tional amendment, prohibiting the manufac- ture and sale of intoxicating liquors in the State. Among the other i'm portant laws which have been made is that requiring safety couplers on freight cars, the new burglary law, the law regulating the sale of poisons, and the law authorizing a commission to in vestigate the number of pauper children in the State requiring State care.
 Among the bills which have been rejected perhaps the most important is that creating State Board of Pardous. It passed the Sen ate but was killed in the House. There are many good reasons why such board should be established, and ia is to be hoped that the next Legislature will not gratify the con jets in Wethersfeld and their lawyers by refusing to establish 1t.
 It has been made very plain during this session that Senate is good thing, especial ly when composed of such men as have had seats in that body this year. Not few mis- takes have been prevented by their good sense and wisdom. Lieutenant Governor Bulkeley has presided over their deliberations with much skill and tact.
 There was great deal of new material in the House, and also great deal of good ma terial. Some of the young men-Messrs. Robbins of Wethersfeld, Stanton of Ston1ng ton, and Paige of Sherman, for instance have done excellent service for their consti tuents and the State. Speaker Hall has filled his important office to the satisfaction of all He has been fair, courteous and prompt in the performance of his duties, and has added to his previous reputation as legislator and parlaaentarian.