Morning journal and courier., 1886-03-19
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

 Spirited Debate Regarding Them New Haven County to Have one by Purchase-More Opposition to Meri- den's Proposed IF Lmk Sewer-Distfn- guIshed Visitors at the CaP1tol- Other Matters of Interest.
 HARTFORD, March IS, 1886. Special to the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 Light seemed to dawn on the day of final adjournment when Representative Hoyt, of Greenwich, in the House to day introduced a resolution providing for afternoon sessions on three days next week and the week after when, as he said, he confidently expected that the work of the session would be com pleted and the members could return to their homes to remain. There was no objection made to the resolution. which was evidence that the House generally were in full accord with MT. Hoyt's ideas. If this desired end is accomplished the session will have been more than three weeks shorter than that of 1885, and will have disposed of bills largely in excess of that year.
 This afternoon at 3 o'clock the Senators and Representatives of New Haven county held an adjourned meeting to consider the question of the purchase of 3 permanent
  and neglected children. County Commits sioners Jacobs and Burleigh were present, as were also Mrs. Dr. Bacon, Mrs. Smith of Hartford and Professor Brewer, represent ing the State Board of Charities, and Town Agent Reynolds and Clerk Geary of the New Haven town agents office.
 The ball was opened by Representative Futile of East Haven, who stated to the con vention that at the time of the last adjourn ment they had heard what Mrs. Dr. Bacon nd other ladies had to say about the New Haven County Home being proselytizing institution, and as Town Agent Reynolds had been referred to, and was present, it was quite proper that he should be heard at this time.
 MT. Reynolds in his opening remarks said that he first desired to set Mir. Pigott right in the statement that gentleman made, that he ''had heard that the home was prosely- tizing institution" He said MT. Pigott came to him and asked him what he thought of the home, and he told him that the Catho- lie people had lost confidence in these insti- tutions on account of their proselytizing acts. While he could not. he said, point to any specific cases, yet that was the feeling among those of the Catholic faith. Continu ing, NIT. Reynolds said that as he understood the matter these homes were established to keep children from being sent to the aims houses, and so far as this went all were agreed that the plan was good one But he did not think it right to forcibIy separate children from their parents and farm them out, no one knew where, and not give their parents an opportunity perhaps to ever see them again. He said it was quite natu- ral that Catholics should desire that their children be reared in their own faith and when they were sent to the home they did not know whether this would be the case not. MT. Reynolds said that over fifty Cath olic children had through him been turned over to the St. Francis orphan asylum to save their beng sent to the home, and this through an understanding had with Judge Deming in regard to the matter MT. Reynolds then gave a history of the case of the child Josie Brown, who had beeli transferred from place to place until she was lost sight of. (This was the case explained by Mrs. Smith at the last meeting, the child being in charge of the Sisters of Mercy of Hartford.) MT. Reynolds farther said that in view of the fears and doubts surrounding county homes they had practically lost their usefulness.
 MT. Geary gave the history of the commit ment of the girl Josie Brown and the part he took in finding her good home with MT. Keane and her subsequent removal to an other locality. He said that from the way in which the managers of the home had conducted this case he had been of the opinion that there were some grounds for the charge of proselytizing.
 Mrs. Bacon stated that Mrs. Keane had said she could not do anything with the Brown child and could not keep her, and there were those who could testify to these facts.
 Commissioner Jacobs said he desired to make q statement before there WAS any far ther discussion as he desired to take the next train. Mr. Jacobs said that if it was decid- ed to purchase home no money would have to be borrowed, as the income of the county would in two years amount to about $10,0 ,000 and this could be applied for the purpose. In reply to Representative Tomlinson of Milford, he said he thought permanent home should be established on business principles. Should State homes be hereafter established, the property could be turned over to the State or be sold to other parties. It was poor economy to hire home and lay out money upon it for repairs which would never come back to the county.
 Dr. Francis Bacon stated that he had heard a great deal of the work Of county homes, and he believed they were excellent ipstitu- tions and that children sent 70 them were benefited both morally and physically.
 The convention went into executive session and voted to authorize the county commis- sioners to expend $10,000 to purchase or build home, as they may think best The
 
 Graham and Pigott committee to draft an amendment to the law that will give courts power to recall children from the homes as well as to commit them.
 There was an adjourned hearing before the Committee on Cities and Boroughs this afternoon regarding the proposed amend meRt to Meridens charter giving them power to empty their sewerage into Quinni- piac river below Hanover dam. The citi- zens of Wallingford were again on hand in force to oppose the scheme of Meriden Among those who appeared in opposition were Elias Sanford of South Meriden, Dr. McGaughey, E. N Judd, J. J. Hutchinson, Colonel Leavenworth, ex-Senators Simpson and Yale of Wallingford, Bennett Jerrold and Charles Jennings of Yalesville, and pr. 0. A. Lindsley of the State Board of Health and Professor Brewer, president of the Board of Health of New SHaven The opinion of these gentlemen was injure the health and damage the property of the people in the towns below Meriden. Another hearing will be had on next Tuesday afternoon at o'clock
 Mayor Beaugrand of Montreal and the gentlemen accompanying him visited the legislature to-day under escort of Mayor Bulkeley. The Senate took a recess in their honor and introductious followed all around.
 The Committee on Agriculture reported favorably to-day bill providing for Arbor day, to be designated by proclamation Of the Governor, and offers exceptions from tax ation where 1 200 trees to the acre are plant ed on land not worth over $25 acre.
 The Committee Constitutional Amend ments keld brief hearing to-day on the amendment to the charter providing that plurality votes shall elect State officers
 Following is summary of the business transacted in the Senate and House to-day:
 The Senate.
 The Senate was called to order at 1O:45 by Lieu tenant Governor Cooke. Prayer offered by Chaplain Parker.
 Committee reports received as follows:
 Agriculture on bill to prevent forest fires also substitute bill to preserve forest trees Finance-Favorabe on substitute resolution con ferring additional powers on the special tax com mission; tabled for calendar.
 Judiciary-Favorable substitute bill amend ing the probate laws; healing act validating dongs of assessors validating sales of real estate; all for calendar Adverse on bill valid eting dongs of selectmen in Saybrook; tabled.
 Various home matters were tabled for the calen dar including the chilf labor bill and the military and executive appropriation bills.
 Senator Bradley sent up majority report favor able to bill authorizing the town of Bridgeport to build county house at an expense of $150, 900 to be raised by tax or bonds as may be voted at a special toVn meeting, the building to be completed ready for to the acceptance efthree judges of the Supreme court by October 1, 1887; ratifyng all acts of Bridgeport in town meeting concerning