Morning journal and courier., 1882-01-05
Thursday Morning, Jan. 5, 1882.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

As the affairs of this State are progressing
 very smoothly and do not at present need tc
 be much talked about, the Governors mes
 sage to the Legislature is not a very long i one, and does not contain much that is es pecially noticeable.
 | The State treasury is in good condition
 and during the year ending November 30th | the revenue has been increased and the ex.
 penses decreased. Nothing has been done ! towards providing for the gradual extinction of the State debt. The sum of $977, ,000 be- | comes due at the end of the current year, but it is thought that it can be paid without seri- ous embarrassment.
 The National Guard receives 'good no- tice." The southern trip of portion of it is pleasantly commented upon, and the be-
 hevior of the troops on the uncomfortable voyage and during the very comfortable fes- tivities which followed it is highly praised. The lack of defences for our coast is touched upon, and it is suggested that some action be taken by the Legislature to direct the atten- tion of the Federal government to our un- protected condition. The common schools,
 The Storrs Agricultural school and the Ex- pertinent Station are briefly commented up on, and the last two are commended to the
 fostering care of the General Assembly which
 they need.
 An interesting part of the message Is that
 which treats of the State prison and the re- formatory institutions of the State. It seems to be plain that a new prison building is aJa5 oIl To4I1a cEo11
 built at time when prison management was radically different from what it now is, and it is in an unhealthy situation. The expert
 mental cottage established nine months ago at the Reform School to try the results of the family system as compared with the congre- gate system has been thus far decided suc-
 cess, and the School as a whole is reported in
 good condition.
 Concerning the reorganization of courts
 the Governor has something to say which should and doubtless will receive the careful
 attention of the members of the General As
 sembly. He points out that OUT system of justices of the peace bears evidence of having in great paft outIived it's usefulness, so far
 as relates to the trial and decision of causes, and that the changes in our social condition
 during the last half century have been such that the justice courts as now organized do not meet the just demands of the people. Zone thousand justices are elected every two
 years and little inquiry is made as to their ca pacity or fitness for the discharge of judicial duties" This is all true and has long been known. The Legislature will be asked to consider scheme, which is, we believe, ap- proved by many of the best lawyers in the State, to establish a system of district courts which will do away with justices of the peace. Of course this plan will meet much op- position. The Governor points out, too, that the organization of the higher courts is also susceptible to amendment, and many of those who have cases in them will agree with him. The much-needed codifcation of the criminal law is also recommended.
 The creation and filling of the office of Attorney General of the State of Connecti- cut is strongly urged Most of the other States have such an officer, and there are times when he would be useful in Connecti- cut. It would perhaps be good economy to have Attorney General, and it would also add to the happiness, dignity and bank &C., count of the lawyer chosen to fill the place.
 The Governor hints in his concluding par agraph that it is wise for the Legislature to let we'll enough alone. If that body will take the hint, and hold short and useful session it will earn and receive the gratitude of the people of the State.