Morning journal and courier., 1885-02-20
Friday, February 20. 1855.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. !
A short Week of Legislative Work
The Members Visit the Insane Hos
pital at MIddletown-Work of the
Judiciary COnmittee-ProsPec OF
Early Adjournment.
HARTFORD, Feb. 10.
Especial to the JOURNAL AND CouRIER.l
This has been a short legislative week from
the fact that both branches adjourned to-
day at noon until next week. Reason why, the
clerks and some of the members wanted to go
to Washington to witness the dedication of
the tall monument. Others, and they were
numerous, did not want to come back to
Hartford after an inspection of the Insane
hospital at Middletown which took place
this afternoon. The members left the Asy-
lum street depot at 1880 by way of the Val
ley road the train stopping near the hospital
as to make the walk as short as possible. A
few members took their wives with them and
after going through the wards sat down to
bountiful lunch set in one of the main halls
The members had not been to dinner before
leaving Hartford and the consequence was
that they slowed away large quantity of
the good things set before them under DIR.
Shows directions. The members are now
supposed to be well informed as to the needs
of the institution and will be prepared to
vote intelligently when the appropriation
resolution comes before them for action.
The State Board of Health seeking
necessary aid from the legislature to prepare
them to guard against the Asiatie CHOLERA
should it appear here next spring or sum-
mer. 1t is claimed that the disease, should
it appear, may be effectually stopped
By the energetic efforts of the authorities and
the Board of Health.
The Committee on interpretations to-day
rejected the petition of the Kennel club OF
New Haven, who asked for charter, and the
petitioners will be given leave to withdraw.
The Railroad committee this afternoon
were engaged in hearing petitions for an act
requiring that all railroad draWbridges shall
be kept open except when trains are due.
The hearing on the part of the petitioners
was conducted by Senator Asa Smith. There
were q number of witnesses present from
Norwalk who were principally owners or cap
tains of vessels, who testified that they were
subject to great annoyance by not being able
to get through the bridge at proper times.
They claimed that no notice was taken of
their signals by the draw tenders and their
vessels were often run aground in consequence
to save them from running into the bridge.
This they claimed sometimes detained them
for twenty-f four hours or more. It was
thought that some amicable arrangement be-
tween the railroad company and the vessel
owners may be reached, so that the proposed
bill would be Withdrawn.
The Judiciary were also in session this
afternoon looking over the remaining bills
before them. They will also be in session
o-morrow and will decide upon reports on
bills that have already been heard and only
need action of the committee to return them
to the house from which they emanated for
final consideration. This committee is one
of the best for work that the legislature have
had for years. They have considered bills
promptly, giving petitioners ample time to be
heard, and giving their recommendations on
such bills with equal promptness. Another
week will nearly quite complete their
labors, and as this committee is usually the
last to complete its labors, it would seem
that final adjournment is not far distant.
Following is summary of the business
transacted in the Senate and House to-day.
The Senate.
The Senate was called to order at 1870
Prayer was offered by Chaplain Taylor.
Committee reports were received fol-
lows:
Finance, Senator Glover chairman-Fa-
vorable on Senate bill IA; calendar. The
bill exempts from taxation to the amount of
81 900 all pensioners widows and mothers
resident of this State and all soldiers and
sailors who have served in the army and
navy of the United States.
Senator Maltbie was appointed a confer
ence committee on the petition of Frank Nc
Grail asking to be reimbursed for damage to
horse while IN the service of the State at the
Mantle camp. The House refused to receive
it on the plea that it was new business. Mr.
Maltbie said there could be question on
the matter, as any citizen had the right to
petition the legislature at any time during
its session and he supposed Mr.. McGrail
joyed that privilege the same any other
citizen.
On motion of Senator Smith Q5th) it was
voted that when the Senate adjourn it be to
Tuesday next at 12:30p. M.
Business on the calendar was disposed OF
as follows:
tain land to Sarah Chambers, of Redding;
passed. Two acres of land belonging to the
estate of the late Thomas Chambers had
escheated to the State.
Bills rejected on unfavorable reports OF
committees were as follows: House bill Sc,
relating to the duties of school visitors; House
bill IS, relating to ecclesiastical societies;
Senate bill A, limiting the compensation OF
State attorneys; House bill 45, concerning
accounts of State attorneys; House bill 4,
relating to the collection of taxes; Senate
joint resolution &c. asking for an appropria-
ton to pay for heating and lighting the New
Haven armery.
AT II O'Clock the Senate, on motion of
Mr.. Stanton, adjourned to Tuesday next at
1890 p. IA.