Morning journal and courier., 1886-03-05


 Court House Questionable Valued
 Policy Bills Once MOre-Resolutions
 Of Sympathy for Senator Joseph
 R. HawIey-Various Matters of In-
 terest.
 HARTFORD, March 4, 1886. Special to the JOURNAL COURIER:
 The House had but little business on the calendar ready for action to day, and after a short session of little over an hour ad- iourned. Tomorrow there will be plenty of business ready, and all the less important matters will be passed upon before adjourn ment.
 The Representatives hall was again the center of attraction, and the room was filled by persons interested in the Fairfield county court house matter, which was further heard before the Committee on New Counties and County Seats. This was the day for Bridge port to put in evidence, and the business men of that city were present in force. Sus- pended in front of the Speakers desk was large map of Fairfield coun- ty, on which the two contesting towns were marked by large red waters, as was also the geographical center of the coun- ty. As learned by MT. Warren R. Briggs, who made the measurements and appeared as a witness, Bridgeport is about four miles nearer the geographical center than Norwalk ond is also three IniIuD ueaI1E ttIo Oout0r Of the south shire of the county or that portion that now goes to Bridgeport to attend court It was also shown in evidence that the pre- ponderance of population of the county was nearer Bridgeport and the value of assessed property in the natural division of the towns in the south shire between Bridgeport and Norwalk was largely in favor of the former. Hon. William D. Bishop of Bridgeport, who was called to testify, made lengthy state ment in which he referred to the former fight for the court house between Norwalk, Fair field and Bridgeport. This was in 1858, when Fairfield was the southern shire town of the county and the question of building new court house came up. At that agreed to build the court house and jail, and did so at an expense of $75, 900. Continuing MT. Bishop said that the issued bonds to erect the county buildings and the interest paid on those bonds amounted to $14S, ,000 before they were finally paid, and this amount had to be raised by taxing the citi- zens of the town. Now after paying out $223, ,000 the question comes up whether the county seat shall be removed to Norwalk. If Bridgeport and Norwalk stood on an even
  port had paid cut this large amount of moneyl Mr. Bishop said hedid not believe that it added much to the population or wealth of town to have the court house located in it.
 If it did Old Haddan would now be blossoming like the rose and the population of Litchfield would 1 increase rather than decrease. All there was | to it was pride and sentiment, and, on ac- l count of that, he would do all in his power | to prevent the removal of the county seat | from Bridgeport. He said this whole fight l was a fight of the lawyers and nothing else l MT. Bishop then referred to the nnanufac- turing and other business interests of Bridge | port, and said that it was fact that the town growing faster than any town in the State, and was probably within three or four thousand of the population of Hartford. Where business was, there was also business for the csurts and court facilities of easy access should be afforded. The southern towns in the county were not largely interested in manufacturing industries and hence did not need the court facilities that Bridgeport re- quired. In concluding MT. Bishop said: When a new court house is wanted the ex- pense should be borne equally between the ] towns in the county, and no one town should | be called upon to bear all the expense. It is | the duty of the legislature to say, you shall l have all the facilities you want to carry on l the court business, but let it be done where | your county seats now are. I hope the leg l islature will stand as a conservator over these l two towns and see that neither of them make | any foolish mistakes. If, however, Bridge | port must pay $50, ,000 to keep her position l as a county seat, she is ready and willing to | do it, and more if necessary.
 Hon. Nathaniel Wheeler of Bridgeport, | followed and took about the same ground as 1 MT. Bishop. He said he had heard no reasons advanced that the business would en- certain for one moment to remove his busi- ness from Bridgeport to Norwalk and the same was true in regard to the court house. He said he had confidence enough in the in- telligence of the committee and the legis1a- ture to believe that they would not enter tain for one moment the charges pro- posed.
 Judge Harrison asked the committee if they would visit both Bridgeport and Nor walk at their convenience and see the situa- l ton of affairs themselves. He thought such a course would greatly expedite the hear ing.
 Attorney Hurlburt, representing the Nor walk party, seemed rather opposed to the committee visiting the two towns. He did not | see how it would shorten the hearing. After l farther discussion by the attorneys the com mittee consulted and decided to make the l proposed visit They will reach Bridgeport | about 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, spend ing the day there, and on Saturday will go to Norwalk. The next hearing before the com mittee will be had on next Wednesday after noon.
 The Insurance committee gave anOLner hearing this afternoon the valued and standard policy bills, the insurance com panies by their agents being heard in oppo- l sition to the bills.
 Following is summary of the business transacted in the Senate and House to day:
 The Senate.
 The Senate called to order at 1045 by Lieu l tenant Governor Cooke. Prayer was offered by Senator Smith was named as committee to re- ! call from the Secretary of States office the resolu school The recall was on his motion because he had been appointed as senior Senator when in fact Senator Brewster of the Tenth occupies that posi- 1 tion. The Senate tabled the resolution. Subse- | said there mistake in the names, and on his | motion it was rejected He then offered another | resolution appointing Senators Brewster Stanton and Alsop they being the senior Senators. and it Concurred with the House in appointing L. M | Hubbard judge and c. F. Bartholomew assistant ! Senator Cleveland, from the Committee on h. surance reported substitute for Senate resolution company It gives the insurance commissioner s 1or te law H him to proceed against impaired companies; cal
 Senator Mclean, from the Committee Incor | porations, reported in favor of incorporating the Fairfield Beach company and the Westport Water I The petition of the Cambridge Guard (colored) of Hartford for State aid was mot received" in the l House. The Senate had referred it and to-day ad- 1 hered to such action, thus killing the measure
 In apncurrence was referred to the Committee on l each to Judge Hovey Senator Walsh, Colonel A H. ! Fenn and Senator Mclean account of services f upon the commission to revise the statutes. Business on the calendar disposed of as fol | lows: The adjutant general shall prepare and publish { 3 900 copies of catalogue of Connecticut soldiers In the war of the rebellion, 1872 and revelation, at a cost not to exceed $15,0OO,. distribute certain number of copies retain two hundred for distribu- ,ion and hold the remainder for sale at S5 each The adjutant general must get original muster J rolls of Connecticut soldiers Of the l revolution and 1812 at Washington or copies 1 People must not deposit waste material to i'm l I Dede the working of highways. Both amendments u 70 the railroad grade crossing bill were concurred A n and the bill was then tabled by Senator Chap | man. The railroad commissioners may order any t other signal than whistles by locomotive engineers. The adversely reported bill to reduce railroad fares vas rejected without division The Il o'clock q con law was indefinitely postponed ia concurrence: The resolutions of confidence on the death of | u Mrs Senator Hawley were adopted in concurrence 5 y rising vote moved by Senator Cleveland Senator Marvin called up Senator Chapman's as- essors' bill Senator Chapman spoke strongly in | IS favor and Senator Walsh against it. Senator Il Robertson also spoke against it. likewise Senator I C Mclean Senator Cleveland favored the bill and ts amendment. Senator Chapman in his last arR- E nent said The satisfied that our whole system