Morning journal and courier., 1883-05-04
tSouraal aaO Courier.
SINGLE COPIES THREE CENTS.
Friday, May 4, 1883.
THE LONG LEGISLATURE.

THE LONG LEGTSLATURE.
 The longest session on record of the Con- necticut legislature came to an end yesterday, | after lasting one-third of year. It has not been, on the whole, very satisfactory ses- sion. It has not however, been productive of any very serious wrongs, and it's last days have been it's best
 Among the most notable things which this legislature has done is the establishment of a Board of Pardons. The need of such board has been apparent for years. and it's estab- lishment will please everybody except those ovho have made money by trying to get the legislature to pardon criminals Another i'm portant act is the passage of the biennial ses- sions bill by the House. Next year it must be passed by a two-thirds vote in both houses before it can be submitted to the people. It Is to be hoped that the matter will be allowed to cone before the people Another good measure ssthat which enlarges and defines the duties of coroners. It makes some radi- cal and needed changes in Connecticut meth ods for the initial proceedings in cases of probable murder and suicide The governors 8 salary was made $4, GOO, the change to take effect on the accession of the next incumbent. The State tax was made II mills. A new military code bill was passed Representa- tive Cleveland's bill to stop the auctioneering of town paupers to the keeping of thrifty providers in other towns also became law i; the act to wind up the Townsend Savings bank passed, and so did bill to compel deal CTS in 'toleomargarine'' to- stamp their packages of that article with that name, and put it up also in big letters over the door. Drunken fathers were prohibited from taking tho wages of minor sons A so called consolidation bill passed, permitting any Connecticut railroad to unite with any other road that is entirely outside of this State, and to issue bonds provided the line thus formed shall make one continuous route, and not be parallel and competing line. No special charter was given to the proposed Hartford and Harlem road; though as to it's route it is permitted ttlocal option in New Britain. bill to punish frauds in party primary meetings was passed; as was bill to put a stop to 'tbaby farming" A just measure was en- acted in the shape of bill empowering the judge in divorce and other cases of separa- tion to assign the child or children to either parent as may seem best to him. The tax on railroad property was slightly reduced. The railroads have been paying 'Fwar taxes" while the State tax on other property has been largely reduced.
 The legislature has not been extravaeant in it's appropriations. The largest appropri- ation made was $50, 900 for the erection of two cottages at the State industrial school for boys at Meriden. The Mantle military and $2, 300 for grading of grounds. The Normal school at New Britain received $5,- 300 for grounds, and $7, 100 for furniture. The Storrs Agricultural school at Mansfield got S5, ,O00, and the fish commission $4, ,OO0. An appropriation of 5000 was made for the Nathan Hale statue. There was B special appropriation of $1, 800 to F. S. Brown and Dr. S. R McNary for services as park commissioners, and sevs- ral small claims were adjusted. Leaving out the school fund relief appropriation $25, ,000-the total appropriations for gene ral public purposes were only $65, GOO.
 So much for what the legislature has done The bills which it has not passed and the geod things which it has rot done are too numerous to mention. Tho Governor has made himself felt during the last part of the session by five vetoes. The legislature did not accept his views concerning all the bills vetoed, but he spoke boldly and to the point.
 The Lieutenant Governor has made an ex cellent presiding officer in the Senate Speaker Pine has carried on busin ess in the House promptly and accurately. Business has suffered in the House for the lack of able leaders on both sides, and there has been all together too much talk in that body, as usual.
 New Haven has good reason to be satisfied with her representatives in the legislature this year. Senator Plunkett has done his duty with the zeal. honesty and discretion which he was expected to display. In the House Representatives Troup and Law have been influential, and have acted consistently for the interests of the people and of the State, and have amply justified the conf dencs of those who voted for them last fall Both have taken an active part in discussion, and have voted carefully and conscientiously MT. Law deserves special commendation for his able and persistent advocacy of Civil Service reform