Morning journal and courier., 1883-02-16
taprrusl allA Goari.r.
Friday, Feb. 16. 1888.
The GeneraI Assembly.

The General Assembly.
 Business Rapidly Disposed oE-Annual Meeting of Legislators of 1s75-The Connecticut and New York Air Line
 Railroad-The Divorce Laws-Town- send Savings sBank-Other Matters. HARTFORD, Feb. 15, 1883.
 Special correspondence of the JOURNAL AND COURIER The business before the Senate and House today was disposed of quite rapidly, there being no question before either body to cre- ate lengthy discussion. There was but little work on the calendar to be disposed of, and the petitions were not over numerous. At o'clock the members, or those who desired to do so, took special train for Meriden for the purpose of visiting the Reform school. A good substantial dinner was provided for the members at the school, after which they were shown through the various rooms and buildings much to their satisfaction.
 Twenty-four members of the Legislature of 1875, including ex-Senators Bowers, of New Haven, and Nichols, of the Fifth dis trict held their annual reunion in room 72 this afternoon, and subsequently, adjourned to HeubIein's dining rooms on Main street for dinner. Mir. H. Pond, of Milford, was re elected president Edward G. Sumner, of Mansfield, and Elisha Johnson, of Hartford, vice presidents; Wm. H. Brady, of New Britain, and George ". Robertson, of Mid dletown, secretaries, and Burwen Carter, of Plainville treasurer. The executive con- mittee was reappointed with ex-Senator Bowers as historian. MT. Bowers reported ! for New Haven county. He reported the FT1I-. Y Narv u | Thomas Elmes, of Derby; Asahel Curtis, of Meriden, and William Brown, of Waterbury. I The hearing on the petition of the Con- | necticut and New York Air Line railroad for the approval of their layout was farther
 heard before the Railroad Commissioners. Attorneys Hyde, of Hartford and s. E. Baldwin appeared for the new road, and | Messrs Doolittle, of New Haven, and Perry.
 of Fairfield, against the layout. 1 Before the Judiciary committee the pro-
 posed changes in the divorce laws were heard. l One bill is for restoring the omnibus" bill,
 so called. This was opposed by Judge Ma thaniel Shipman, of Hartford, and s. B. | Baldwin, of New Haven.
 The Committee on Banks have received for | their consideration resolution asking for | exact information as to how the assets of the | Townsend Savings bank are invested and also
 petition asking that the affairs of the bank
 be wound up. They have also communica- tion from the receivers of the bank which is in the possession of Richard P. Spencer, of
 Deep River, banker, and chairman of the
 Committee on Banks. It was received some
 days ago and was before the committee at
 one of their meetings. Applications of re-
 porters to see the paper have been invariably
 refused. The matter may come up for con-
 sideration next Tuesday, and if it does the public will get the benefit of the information
 contained in the papers.
 | Following is the business transacted in the
 Senate and House to day.
 \ The Senate.
 The Senate was called to order at 10:3O by \ Lieutenant Governor Sumner. Prayer was | offered by Chaplain Parker.
 Committee reports was the first business | acted upon and only one report was submit
 ted. Chairman Alsop (Agriculture) reported
 a substitute bill making it fine of $50 to re \ move or injure trees, posts or stakes on high | ways without written order of selectmen. | House bill 226, to prevent persons from | practicing medicine or surgery unless they ! shall have received the degree of doctor, came from the House referred to tho Ju.
 dietary. Mir. Scofeld thought that such matters should not burden and take up the
 time of the Judiciary committee, especially \ in view of the fact that the matter was al- ready regulated by the statute, and the com
 mittee already had large amount of busi. N ness on hand not yet acted upon. He moved
 to reject the bill, and it was so ordered.
 MT. Goodwin's objection to the confrma-
 ton of MT. Woodruff for Railroad Commis- sioner were presented by MT. Clark; and on N motion of Mr. Hills 1t was referred to the Committee on Executive Nominations, with out being read.
 Executive Secretary Zacher was announced, and he presented the Governors nomination | for Insurance Commissioner. It was refer red to the Committee on Nominations, and \ later 1t was announced that the nominee was Hon. Ephraim N. Williams, of Stonington. His nomination will undoubtedly be approved. Business on the calendar was disposed of A as follows:
 MT. Clark called from the table the resolu' II ton providing for an office for the quarter
 master general in the Capitol, and asked for N the reading of the House amendment. The Senator explained that the Committee on Military Affairs reported in favor of the reso- lution, the cost of fitting up the room not to exceed $500. The House had struck out the $500 and left the amount to be expended un- restricted. He moved to reject the House amendment and pass the original resolution appropriatlng only $500.
 Mir. Baker-Is the fitting up to be done by \ the State House. Keeper?
 The clerk read the original resolution, I which provides that the money shall be ex- pended by direction of the comptroller. The House amendment was then rejected and
 original resolution passed.
 Resolution authorizing the borough of Wallingford to issue bond. MT. Boss (chair- man) explained that the resolution was to authorize the issuing of bonds to the amount of $1O,00O for the purpose of defraying the ' costs and expenses incident to the compile tion of the waterworks of the borough of Wallingford. and for no other purpose. The bonds are to bear no greater rate of interest than per cent, and the Board of Water Commissioners are to be the trustees. The resolution passed.
 The Senate adjourned at 11:45 until Friday I morning at 10:30 o'clock.