Morning journal and courier., 1882-02-15


Matter-More About the "Benzine,
Law.
HARTFORD, Feb. IA, 1882.
Special correspondence of the JOURNAL AND COURIER
When the General Assembly convened at
the Capitol this morning, there was more than
the usual number of members present at the
the first day of the weeks session Both
houses opened promptly on time, and the
business was rapidly proceeded with All
new business is now in the hands of the sew
eral committees and it would seem that it
could be disposed of so that an adjournment
may be reached by April 1st
The interest this afternoon conferred in the
Railroad committee where the petitioners for
a Parallel road charter were being heard.
Among the attorneys present were President
Watrous and Hon. Lynde Harrison, repre-
senting the Consolidated road; Simeon E.
Baldwin, representing the New York and New
England road; and S. W. Kellogg and L. M.
Maltbie, representing the petitioners.
Among those who appeared for the petit
TONERS were the following:
Sidney Tyler, of Norwich president of the
Norwich Lock company, appeared before the
committee and advocated the building of the
Parallel road. He said it would be a great
benefit to people in the eastern section of the
State
j. E. Redfie1d took the stand and was cross
questioned by President Watrous. He said
he did not care to give the names of his asso-
ciates in the railroad project. He said he
a
ever, that ore of them was Mr.. Parsons, of
Hartford. He could not give the exact date
when Governor Jewell became associated with
him. He said that no men connected with
the old Parallel ssroad were connected with
him in this project He said that after adver-
tisiag the corporators of the original Parallel
inquired what it meant, and he told them
that they Intended to build the road They
replied, 'Fpary well, then we will withdraw ~
We then arranged to use the surveys of the
old Parallel, agreeing to pay them a reason
able sum for them.
IN reply to Mr.. Watrous Mr. Redfeld said
he preferred special charter rather than
| working under the general railroad law. He
said this movement was entirely independ MT
of the old Parallel railroad company, and he
| had no agreement with them that himself and
they were identical OR in any way connected.
| He said he had stated to Mr.. Sidell that if
the present company obtained their charter
he would be permitted to take stock if he SO
| desired. -
| In reply to another question by Mr. Wat.
| rous, Mr.. Redfeld gave history of his con.
nection with the Arkansas Red River and
| New Orleans railroad, which came through
his being appointed receiver of the Town.
send Savings bank. Continuing he said he
did not know who obtained the names of all
the corporators, but thought that Governo,
Jewell obtained some of them. Did moi
| know what pledges, if any, were required oil
| those who signed. He said he han no knowl
edge in case the corporators obtained a char
ter that there was an arrangement with
construction company in a foreign State te
build this road He said he had never per
ambulated the proposed line of road ane
knew nothing about it except what is stated
by the engineer.
| In reply to S. E, Baldwin, Mr. Rediele
said he did not see any special advantages ht
| was to gain under the proposed charter rather
than under the general railroad law.
Mr.. Redfeld, in reply to another question
4 by Mr.. Baldwin, said he was willing to have
i it specified in the charter that the new com
pany should sell out or lease the New York
New Haven and Hartford railroad under any
circumstances. He said that he had heard i
said that this project was for the purpose
after getting charter, to sell out. He utter
" repudiated any such idea of the corpo
rators.
Yes, said Mr.. Redfeld, do know of fou,
or more that will take $4,000 in stock O.
more if this charter is granted, but do no
propose to give their names.
Ira G. Briggs, of Voluntown, manufac
turer, was next called by Attorney Maltbi
for the petitioners He thought it grane
project to build this road, and that it woule
develop his section of the State and tend tt
build up manufacturing industries. He sale
that there was 800, 900 in capital invested i,
l Voluntown that would be benefited by thi
railroad. In reply to Mr.. Baldwin witness
said he was ready to subscribe for stock il
this road. if they meant business. He though
he would be willing to subscribe $40, 600 t.
the stock.
II J. H. Osgood of Norwich, was called. FL
said he was a druggist and was also interest
ed in manufactures in Norwich and vicinity
He said that he was formerly engaged in tn
manufacture of paper, but had given it VI
owing to the cost of transporting the good
| seven miles to reach a railroad. He though
| the road would be great benefit to Volun
town and vicinity, also to Norwich.
Governor Jewell was recalled and said il
4 reply to Mr.. Harrison that freight shippe
by him had often accumulated at the depot
. for lack of transportation. In reply to Mr.
Watrous the Governor said that he was no
| aware that through freight trains fron
| Hartford to New York direct. Mr.. Watrou
informed him that such was the fact. In re
ply to Mr.. Baldwin Governor Jewell said b
saw no harm in the provision providing tina
stock may be converted into bonds.
Engineer Schuback was recalled and ques
toned by.Mr. Harrison. In reply he gave
statement of his surveys of the Parallel.
He said he had been over the route three o
four times. He then gave the names of tn
corporation that employed him to make tn
survey. He said the work was complete,
about year ago. He estimated the cost o
building and equipping the road at an averag
5000 per mile He said he had been ov g
the proposed route, from New Haven to tn
Rhode Island line, since January LIST. 1t tool
three or four weeks to go over the route
Witness was then questioned in regard to tn,
distances between the parallel" and Consol
idated road at different towns and station
from New Haven to the New York State line
He was then questioned as to the distanc
between the proposed road and the Shor
Line road.
At $40 the hearing was adjourned unit
Thursdaymorning at o'clock.
! The "Benzine" law was again before tn
Military committee this afternoon Amony
those present and who appeared against tn
repeal of the law were General W. r. Frank
lin, who drafted the law, General S. r
| Smith and the Colonels of the four Connect
| cut regiments. General Harmon and Colo
mel Fox were also before the committee il
opposition to repeal. Colonel Bacon wal
also present with James l. Hayes, his coun
| sci, and also line officers from the Secono
regiment. 1t appears to be the opinion tina
the committee will report adversely to tn,
repeal, and that the petitioners will be give,
leave to withdraw.
To-day at 1890 the members of the Legis
lature will proceed to Middletown by tht
Valley road for the purpose of visiting tn,
Insane Asylum. They will be treated to
lunch on their arrival.
Following is a summary of the business il
the Senate and House to-day:
The Senate convened at | o'clock, Lieuten
| ant Governor Bulkeley in the chair.
| Prayer was offered by Chaplain Thompson
The annual report of the commissioner o
| the school fund was accepted and ordered OF
| file.
A resolution authorizing the purchase of
painting of General Israel Putnam at The
| VOLTS den in Pomfret was passed in concur
| renee. .
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