Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1885-02-06
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

N10A IL ASSEM-
A Busy Day and a stormy One at the
Cap1toI-Large Decrease In Busfness
From Previous Years-Mr. Pigott
of New Haven Under Discipline
He is Denied the Privileges of the
House-An Early Adjournment Pre-
dicted.
HARTFORD, Feb. 5.
Especial to the JOURNAL AND CoUR1ERl
; This has been a busy day at the Capitol
and in some respects stormy one. 1t being
the last day but one for receiving new bust
ness there was quite rush of new bills and
petitions, but nothing like what has been
seen in many former years at this time in the
session Up to the close of business to-day
there had been introduced in both houses
one hundred and one petitions, one hundred
and fifty -six joint resolutions and one hun
bred and ninety-two bills for public acts,
making the total four hundred and forty
nine. The total number for the preceding
five years was as follows: 1880, seven hun
dred and eighty-nine; 1881, ten hundred and
sixty nine; 1882, thirteen hundred and seven
ty-nine; 1888, thirteen hundred and ninety
nine; 1884, ten hundred and thirty-nine.
From this it will be seen that there is large
falling off in the amount of new business
brought to the present session. The average
number of separate members for the five
years named is eleven hundred and thirty
five, more than double the number of the
present session. A prominent member Of
the House said to day that he confidently
expected that the final adjournment would
take place early in March. 1t would seem
that there is impossible contingency that
can arise to prevent the consummation of this
prediction.
Chow great a fire a little matter kindleth''
was never more fully exemplifed than it was
in the House to-day, and to Mr.. Pigott, e
New Haven, is due the credit of furnishing
the material that furnished the 'sblaze."
That gentleman introduced a resolution in
structing the railroad commissioners to re-
port by name the members of the General
Assembly who had accepted passes from the
railroads of the State, and probably without
stopping to consider the fact that it was a
matter over which the commissioners do not
and cannot exercise any control, nor have
they any power to pursue such an inquiry.
The senior member from New Haven sug
gested an easier and quicker way to get at
the facts for which his colleague was seek
ing, which was to pass resolution requiring
every member, when mis- name was called, to
rise in his seat and state to the House
whether he was guilty or not guilty of re-
ceivirg passes, and, if so, how many.
The matter began to assume a seri-
Gus phase, many members desiring
to rise and explain before the
resolution was fairly presented. Finally Mr..
Joslyn characterized the whole matter as
senseless He said the acceptance of passes
was personal matter and not one for in
dividual censorship. Then Mr.. Pigott ris-
ing in his place said that he had purpose
in proposing the inquiry. The railroads, he
said, were interfering with legislation, and
he charged without fear of contradiction
that we'll known railroad attorney had made
up in part the committees of the House.
Speaker Simonds was busy at the time and
apparently did not notice the remark. Mr..
Frisbie, of Pennington, heard it, however,
and was on his feet in moment and called
the Speakers attention to the offensive re-
marks, but Mr.. Frisbie insisted on an
apology. The Speaker, who was evidently
laboring under much excitement, asked what
should be done. Mr.. Frisbie insisted and
Mr.. Piggott asked that the demand for All
apology should be tabled until the truth of
his remarks could be inquired into. The
Speaker said that the member could be de-
prived of all the privileges of the House I'M
til an apology was made, and Mr.. Frisbie
quickly followed with a resolution to this ef-
feet The rule under which the resolution
was passed reads as follows:
II any member, in speaking or otherwise, trans
crosses the rules orders of the House. the Speak
er shall or any member may call him to order; and,
if speaking, he shall sit down unless permitted to
breach of any of the rules and orders he may be
required by the House, motion, to make SatiSfac-
ton therefor and until he has done he shall not
be allowed to vote or speak except by way of ex
cuse.
This ended the matter for a time at least
In conversation with your correspondent
after adjournment Mr.. Pigott stated that he
did not consider that he had gone outside
The bounds of parliamentary law in the re-
marks that he had made, although he adj
nitted that he might have been injudicious
n making the remarks he did. The often
sive remarks were the topic of general CONVEX
sation about the Capitol after adjournment,
and no one appeared to justify Mr.. Pigott's
course, and many regrets were expressed that
young Imam like Mr.. Pigott, who is ambi-
5ious with all, should so far forget himself
ls to step beyond the bounds of propriety in
, manner that would surely, as they thought,
utterly destroy his influence in both parties
tor the remainder of the present session. 1t
was also thought that after he had slept over
,he matter he would go before the House and
make the amende honorable and thereby re-
gain portion of thu influence he had lost by
lis own act. Speaker Simonds said after
adjournment that the cause of Mr.. Pigott's
stack upon him was the fact that he pig
,tD was not placed Oh the judiciary COM
nittee, for which position he aspired. Fur
her developments in the case may be looked
or tomorrow.
Mr.. Troup was before the Judiciary COM
nittee this afternoon In opposition to the bill
Illowing Evergreen Cemetery association OF
iew Haven TO issue bonds to the amount Of
no 900 with the tax exemption clause In
hem. lie thought the association would not
% benohtted In any way If this clause re-
mined. He said only those who held the
'onds would reap the benefit they would
et six per cent. interest and being exempt
rom taxation two per cent would be added
10 thought the bonds should also be adver-
ised 80 that the directors of the association |
,ould not renp the benefit that might accrue
rom the issuing Of the bonds by dividing !
hem among themselves.
Mr.. Dewell representing the association,
aid they We're perfectly willing to advertise |
he bonds All give them to those who would pay |
he most for them. Mr.. Dswell also opposed |
he passage of the proposed factorizing laws. |
10 thought there should be no change In the |
resent law.
The Committee on Cities and Boroughs |
ave made the following assignments: Feb
uary 11th House bill No. 3 which provides |
hat mayors of cities shall have the casting
ote in all municipal boards in case of tie;
'ebruary 18th, the bill providing for the
onsolidation of the town and city of New
Iaven.
The Committee on Railroads this after
Don heard arguments on what is termed
be "Public Necessity" bill. 1t gives to the
abroad commissioners the power to say