New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-06

HARTFORD, Conn, Jan. 30.-"Tle Genius OF
Connecticut is the name given by the artist, be-
lieve to the singular winged figure atop the dome OF
the new Capitol II is fettered with much drapery
of a bulgy SORT has ring or wreath in each hand
which 1t has 10 apparent use for AID seems hesi-
tating whether to pitch the rings over the head OK
the bronze Brownell-holding ont bandas Dudley
Warner says " to see If it rains'-in the park be-
low, or TO crown with them the Putnam that
teaches dancing lessons from pedestal little way
beyond. lido not know the precise gnifcance of this
symbolic figure or why the Genius of Connecticut"
should carry many wreaths and wear clothes
that decidedly were not made for her. Perhaps
that is the genius of Connecticut 10 wear clothes
that don't fit. understand, of course. the neces-
sity for wings; il wouldn't be Genius without
them. II happens in this case, however, that they
make the eye instead Of the Genius. Tho
"Genius of Connecticut" does not much OutraDk
the Fish God of the PhGncians in the matter OF
beauty, but what with keeping up her her wings,
attending to her drapery and holding on to tho
wreaths she has great deal more TO do. And l
suppose, a matter OF fact, the Connecticut peo-
pie are much buster than the Phenicans used TO be.
Connecticut legislators do rot get used to the new
arrangement of sessions in the winter easily
they do to the change from the OLD ate House TO
the magnfcence of their surroundings IN the new
Capitol Until this change in the time Of holding
sessions was made the Legislature ran with and
subsisted on the shad They came with the shad
and in the early days of short sessions disappeared
with them. From time lmmemorlal they have gone
by the name of "Shad- Eaters" The change up
sets the traditions and habits of the pcople there is
much dissatisfaction with it; and ii would not DO
strange if after little further trial Of the present
experiment the old practice should be returned to.
Possibly though, instead of going back TO the
custom of annual May sessions. which would mako
several other changes necessary and cause some in
convenience they may reconsider the vote by which
| they rejected proposed constitutional amendment
providing for biennial sessions, year or two ago,
and try the experiment of half rations in the matter
of law making
| In the present Legislature there is much smaller
proportion of lawyers than usualan there is con-
seuuent disposition cutlcse ii not being up to
the average L have heard the absence of prominent
men and party leaders accounted foron the ground
that this being an off year. with not much at stake
on either side both parties took the opportunity to
pay off their debts to the party workers who were
willing to take a nomination to the Legislature in
payment for past service and that the Legislature
| is consequently largely made mp of new and mex
uerenced men, However this may be, they certain-
ly appear very well. and in point of intelligence
and ability TO comprehend the requirements of tho
occasion will, no doubt, compare favorably with
most of their predecessors. The presence OF
large number of lawyers in the Leg
islature may not after all be an unmixed good. 1t
| is not Improbable that with smaller infusion or
the professional element and greater predomi-
nance of business men, farmers and mechanics there
| NAV be fewer unnecessary laws passed and fewer
mistakes made one year to be corrected tue next
1t is no objection to this Legislature that It is some
what slow in getting TO its work and seems disposed
| TO do everything with deliberatlon. Ii used to DO
thought that the whole duty of the Legislature con-
sisted in rafting off the business before it with all
possible speed making a short session of ii and adj
| iourning at the earliest day. Now that the men,
bers are paid annual salaries instead Of per diem
allowance there is less disposition the part OF tho
people and press to grumble at them Tor taking
their time and doing their work with decent dehb-
eration The Connecticut mind readily erasps the
altered conditions.
Besides one or two questions of changing county
seats chiefly of local interest, and the contest over
bridging the Thames River at New London, there Is
no business of importance to come before the Legls
lature There has been or less talk about pro-
posed applications for charters for railroads through
the State notably for what is called Parallel Road
TO the New York and New-Eaven The Parallel Road
enterprise has been agitated for several years With
out making much headway. Mr.. Nanderbilts
differences with the New-York road on tho
| question of freghts and his reported threat
| 10 build road to Boston led 10
Temporary revival of the agitation this year and 1t
wasrumored that an application for charter would
| be made. For though the State has a general rail-
road law il seems TO be understood that such road
will not be built except under a special charter.
Aud there is little danger that it will ever be serl-
| ouslv undertaken The management Of the New
York and New Haven road gives general saIsiac-
ton 10 the people and the business interests ot tho
| State are so largely concerned in ITS prosperity
| that the Legislature would hardly consent
to create n rival to il even if capital could be
found 10 invest in such venture. To-day however,
| n bill for the Incorporation of such company was
| introduced and referred TO the Railroad Committee
| in the House The incorporators Lanied IN the Diu
ara Connecticut men, Ex-Governor jewell being tho
only one of any prominence. The road Is proposedto
ruu almost exactly parallel with the New-York and
| New-Hayen from Greenwich to New-liaven, and
thence between the Air Line and Shore Line through
| TO the Rhode Island line There does no; seem TO DO
cnough in the scheme to awaken the interest OF tho
lobby, and more than that need not be SAID
The petition for a bridge the Thames at
| New-London is brought by the stonngton and
Providence Railroad Company, with the view Oh
dong away with the delays at the ferry ana making
an aIl-ral through route to Boston over the Shoio
| Tiro Tbo nIan is 10 bridge the river al Wnthrops
| Neck at point where the chahncA - h"'i'"' "
AZ which II will not Interfere with the commerce or
| tho mort or diminish the extent of the iarbor
Over this proposition there bids fair 10 he hVeiy
contest; indeed it may bc said to have already
begun, although the petition has not yet
been referred to committee. The arsumeht
:, favor of the bridge is simply that II VIII
do away with the detentons ana Delays
Of passengers and freight now caused ny
the ferry: and this without sacrlhcihg any Ousi-
! ;,, he