Morning journal and courier., 1883-04-26
STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, April 25, 1883. ]


 To the Honorable Senate:
 I return herewith bill entitled Ian act re- lating to shell fisheries" ," without approval.
 The bill proposed to add to the penalties already provided by existing laws against the crime of unlawfully taking oysters from places duly designated for the cultivation of the same in the waters of our State, the seiz- ure of the boats with their tackle, apparel and furniture at any place and at any time within year after the offense, in the com mission of which such property was used, and the forfeiture of the same-one-half to the informer and the other half to the town where the offense was committed-upon the finding of @ court that such property was so unlawfally used.
 A careful examination of the terms of this bill and the decision of our courts in cases of forfeiture convinces me thatif the pro- posed amendment is adopted, such property, however valuable may be taken, without compensation, from person wholly inno- cent of it's unlawful use and from even an innocent purchaser of the same, months after the offense
 The existing laws already provide that persons guilty of the offense contemplated by the statute, if committed in the day time, may be punished by fine of $500 or imprisonment for one year, and if in the night time, by fine of $500 and imprison ment for one year in the State prison. It may be expedient as against guilty parties to add to these heavy penalties and long i'm prisonments the forfeiture of property, but I cannot permit bill that extends the pun ishment to the eonfiscation of such property in the hands of innocent owners to become law without affording you another oppor- tunity to carefully consider it. appreciate the fact that the valuable and growing oys- ter interest of the State requires stringent laws for it's protection, but I hardly think it necessary that the odious principle of for feiture, against third parties especially, should be adopted or enforced.
 THOMAS M. WALLER, Governor.
 Senator Dennis, of the committee on the disagreeing vote of the two houses on the resolution granting $100 to Samuel A. Bar ker, of Guilford, as compensation for dam ages incurred by the killing of horse alleged to be glandered, recommended that the Sen ate adhere to it's former action in rejecting the bill.
 Senators Yale Plunkett and Clark urged it's passage on the grounds that the killing of the horse was clearly unjust. The previous action of the Senate was reconsidered and the resolution passed.
 Various matters from the House were re- ceived and placed upon the calendar.
 Business on the calendar was disposed of as follows:
 The following bill relating to school com mittees was passed: ''Any school district hay ing by it's last enumeration not less than two hundred children between and 16 years of age may at any annual meeting, upon due notice in the call therefor, order that it's committee shall consist of three persons to be chosen by ballot, and that said commit tee shall be divided into three classes, hold ing office for one, two and three years; and that annually thereafter one member of the committee shall be chosen by ballot to hold office for three years."
 The bill authorizing towns to vote upon kIa fN ~rha ahnO 7Tef should be empowered to employ school teach CTS or not was passed.
 The bin for recording tax liens was fixed at seventy-five cents.
 The report of the committee on military affairs in relation to the resolution of in quiry as to why the organization was not provided with overcoats at the same time as the other members of the National Guard, was accepted.
 On motion of Senator Cooke the bill re- ducing the tax upon railroads from one per cent. to seven-eighths of one per cent. was called from the table,
 Senator Baker said that it had appeared to the financial committee that the tax should be reduced as other corporations, such as savings banks and insurance companies, had been reduced
 Senator Alsop moved to amend the bill by providing that every year the treasurer shall set apart one-eighth of the tax received from EdllEOhuS, Ln6 lncOm0 or Wn1cn small De Q1S- tributed among the towns which hold bonds for money appropriated in aid of railroads
 In support of the amendment Senator AL sop urged that if any relief was contemplated by the measure, the towns which are burden ed by railroad indebtedness should have the benefit of it.
 The amendment was rejected.
 Senator Clark offered an amendment pro- viding that the pay of the railroad commis- sioners shall not be assessed upon the rail road companies, and urged that it is highly improper for any commission of the State to receive their pay from any source except the State treasury.
 Senator Hills coincided with this view and endorsed the amendment
 The amendment was rejected by vote of IA against z.
 Senator Hills said that he was of the belief that the time has not come when the State ,an afford to reduce the railroad tax If the ;ax of any railroad is too heavy the owners of it can come to the General Assembly and f there is jastness in such action the tax of Juch roads is reduced. On vote the bill was rejected. Adjourned At 12:3o until Thursday at 10:30