Morning journal and courier., 1882-04-05


ton tax
Adjourned at 1:2o until wednes day at 1920
a. NJ
The House met at 10 a. N. Prayer was
offered by Chaplain Sage.
The House concurred in Senate amendo
ment to and passed the bill relating t
cruelty to animals also bill exempting from
taxation $4,000 of the property of certain
classes of pensioned soldiers and sailors, as
amended in the Senate.
Bill that divorces may be granted for any
such misconduct on the part of the husband
or wife as permanently destroys the happi-
ness of the petitioner and defeats the pur-
poses of the marriage relation. This bill was
introduced by Mr.. Cothren, of Woodbury.,
and was reported adversely from the Ju-
dietary committee. 1t restores the so-called
Omnibus clause. of the law. Mr.. Cothren
advocated his bill at some length and argued
that there are many cases where divorces
should be granted which cannot be reached
under the present law. He related case
where wife resisted all attempts of her hus-
band to hold family deyotion-himself and
his children While he read the Scriptures
she buzzed her spinning wheel; when he
knelt to pray, she grasped him by the hair
and pulled him over backward Such con-
duct was daily occurrence through long
years. There could be no divorce for this
In another case q husband abused his wife
continually with the foulest language, for
years. Her life was misery, but she was
bound to the man, and could not be freed I'M
der the law. Another husband tortured his
wife with a redhot poker, taking good care
not to place it near enough to scorch, for
then the law could have reached him. The
Supreme Court has decided that 1ntolerable
cruelty means only blows. He argued that
the law should be extended as proposed in
this bill and the judges could be relied upon
to see that the privilege was not abused A
certain class comes up and cries out for
stricter divorce laws, or no divorce, but they
are not speaking in the best interests of pub
lie policy.
After discussion, on motion of Mr.. John
son of Enfield, the bill was rejected
Bill amending the law relating to filing lists
for taxation, and providing penalties for neg
lect, was taken from the table and passed as
amended when the bill was previously under
discussion.
Resolution imposing a State tax of II mills
on the dollar on the grand list of October,
1881 passed.
Bill that the whole amount of benefits as
sessed for any particular lay out or altera-
ton, except in a city or borough, shall not
exceed the damages assessed therefor, unless it
shall appear that said lay out is for the spe-
cial benefit of any particular district or To-
cal1ty, or that the expense of constructing
said highway exceeds the amount of damages
assessed therefor, and all assessments of ben
efits may be collected in the same manner as
town taxes. Explained by Mr.. Post, of An
dover. The bill was tabled
The next matter reached was Mr. Robert
sons proposed constitutional amendment
changing the representation of the House, so
/ as to give the larger places number of
members proportionate to their population.
An adverse report was made by the commit
tee.
Mr. Robertson asked that the matter be ia
bled, but Mr.. johnson, of Enfield objected
and remarked that thus far during the morn
ing session everything on the calen-
dar had been tabled, with the single
exception of the divorce bill. At this rate
the Legislature would not adjourn until July.
The House voted down the motion to Ia
BILE.
Mr. Robertson protested, and criticised
Mr.. Johnson's course.
Mr.. Stanton, of Stonington, spoke soothing
words, and the House then reconsidered its
vote and tabled the bill.
Resolution appropriating 81, 226. 80 for re-
pairs of State prison and to balance the def
cheney of last years expenditures passed.
Bill that the five per cent. coupon bonds of
this State now in the treasurers office, print
1877 but which we're not issued, and amount
ing to S79,00O may be destroyed by the FL
| nance committee in the same manner now
provided by law for burning bonds redeemed.
Explained and passed.
Bill repeating chapter 5 of the acts of 1880
for the prevention of the spread of glander s
and farcy.
Mr. Wood, of East Windsor, moved to
| amend by including chapter rs of the laws of
the same session: agreed to.
| The bill was then passed.
| Bill prohibiting eel-catching by pots, traps,
| nets, pounds or fre-lights Cor ''wig -wazzing")
| in waters adjacent to the town of Stonington.
Eels may be taken only by hook and line and
spear. Mr.. Fuller, of Putnam, explained the
| bill.
| Mr.. Avery, of Groton, offered an amend
ment changing the bill so as not to interfere
with fishing in waters near Groton and to
| lessen the extent of disputed territory ;
adopted.
Mr.. Kirkland, of Old Saybrook, moved to
amend so that the bill should apply only to
waters within the town of Stonington. Agreed
| to and the bill was passed
Bill that, on complaint of the selectmen, the
railroad commissioners may require the sound
ing of the engine whistle at any crossing over
or under highway. Explained by Mr. Gill
lette, of Waterbury, and passed.
Bill providing that an express company or
association shall pay tax equal to two per
cent. of the gross receipts from business in
the State, or in lieu thereof may pay $1O,-
600.
Mr.. Bingham, of Windham, said that the
object was to reach the Adams Express COM
pany, which claimed not to be corporation
and would not make any returns.
Mr.. Sill, of Hartford moved to amend so
as to include 'copartnerships )" agreed to
and the bill was passed
motion was passed limiting each speech
on tabled matter to five minutes, except
those of chairmen of committees.
Resolutions were passed releasing from
State prison Catherine Healy of Hartford
and Thomas Healy of New Haven.
The State Prison committee reported ad-
versely on release of Elijah Smith and Ber-
nard McCarty of New Haven petitioners
given leave to withdraw.
Bill that any town in this State may at it's
annual town meeting, vote that the meeting
of the Selectmen and Town Clerk for the ad-
mission of electors, held the Monday next
after Wednesday of the second week before
any electors meeting, shall not be kept open
later than O'Clock in the afternoon. ANY
town of not more than 400 voters. according
to the registry lists last perfected, may, at
their annual town meeting, vote to close their
ballot boxes at electors meetings at O'Clock
in the afternoon, provided that notice be
given in the warning of such proposed ac-
ton. The bill was adversely reported and
after general discussion the bill was re-
jected.
The House at 1920 p. m. adjourned to 10
a. m. Wednesday.
State Correspondence.
Cheshire