Morning journal and courier., 1886-05-06


 served at some time in the lower house. Of the
 persons elected to serve in the government of the
 State in various branches from 1924 to 186 period
 of sixty-two years nearly one third yet living
 The residences of but eleven are reported unknown
 l87 only are reported living in other States and only
 534 in towns other than those from which they
 The senior Governor is Chauncey F. Cleveland of Hampton, 1842-3 the senior Lieutenant Governor.
 Sharies 1 j. MeCprdy 9f Lyme Isa7Si Secretary Sf 9
 treasurer, A. B; Calef of Middletown, 1855; comp, tor, Charles J. McCurdy of Lyme, iSsa, and Speak CT of the House, Chauncey F. Cleveland of Hamp
 coe @ of Waterbury House 18s4 5 is the oldest iiv- ing representative of any of the branches of the
 AsI understand the object of this. meeting, 1t is
 purely for the purpose of social reunion to rub off the rust that has accumulated upon the bonds of old friendships; allow the prominent men of the
 State to unite without danger of incting harm, as
 have legislative family gathering: in short it is
 the State If have not correctly stated the object of our meeting, there are those here well able and My duties of the present hour are narrow and we'll defined. By the kindness of the committee of I to introduce the takers. This obligation assume with pleasure, knowing: as we all must from the them
 When ex-Governor Bige1ow concluded Governor Harrison was introduced and de- | livered an address of welcome as follows: ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY THE GOVERNOR. This remarkable demonstration, upon scale so
 imposing-this spontaneous gathering togethe. Of late each other because, in times past, they have been permitted to take part in administering the
 for that purpose has called forth such displays of pop liar sympathy and applause-is an event with | It has had no precedent here elsewhere; and like almost every other sudden movement of masses of men acting under a common impulse it must have some meaning worthy of consideration and
 What doesit mean?
 If it signifies what trust it signifies it is event
 ment absolutely essential the highest honor and the highest well-being of a State-that sentiment
 which the Prime Minister of England lately in his | most memorable speech, characterized, and with l splendid eloquence extoled, as the sentiment of
 your fello citizens by whom in every eoTner of of \ feel as they feel and they feel as you feel.
 If then rightly interpret the me, meaning ot this s I local patriotism by which you are inspired. and | which has sometimes seemed slow to manifest it. self among people, is in reality one or their passions, deep and strong. It shows that without ! of superiority over: others the people of Connecticut are nevertheless profoundly conscious rank among peoples which they may rightly claim l God save the State of Connecticut!
 To this ancient city, which has been for two hun
 dred and fifty years seat of government of free
 passed in beauty and therefore worthy of the noble and venerable little republic whose dignity it rep resents, you now, gentlemen, most cordially welcomed.
 The orator of the day, Hon. Henry C. Rob- inson, was then introduced and delivered most interesting historical address, in which he gave an account of the organization of the General Court" for the government of the first planters of Connecticut on April 26, 1886, by Roger Ludlow and four associates. In this little gathering, said the speaker, was the beginning of Connecticut's legisla- ture and court. By what method of appoint ment the magistrates who constituted this s1 k,,,, but of the fact that they acted with the con sent if not by the express choice of the planters there can be no doubt. Mr. Robin son then traced the more important facts connected with succeeding General Assem- plies down to the present date and in closing said:
 May the leaves to be written of the next two hundred and fifty years glow with the same nobilities as do the pages of Connecti- cuts past history. May our legislation al ways reflect the sentiments of enlighten- ed people, broad and true in their civiliza- tion, giving to all the supreme gift of educa- tion, caring for the sad ones of humanity, encouraging industry, overlooking no single individual whose hairs are numbered by the
 Almighty Father. In the records of the past, and upon every page, he that reads can read well between the lines-"Qui transtulit sustinet;" may that benediction, as silent as the dew, as strong as the sun, rest upon us always. "The Capitol and Grounds" was the sub ject of the address by Hon. Alfred E. Burr of Hartford, which followed. The speaker reviewed the building of the various State Houses down to the present time in most interesting manner, his address being listened to with the deepest attention. The address of Lieutenant Governor Cooke which followed was an able one. In his open ing remarks he said: This great meeting is for reunion of friends and scauaintances h,,t hoe fha magnifying of the office of the Connecticut legislator and houoring the institutions of our State. In closing he said: May the Connec- ticut Senate always preserve it's historic char acter for careful, dignifed and conservative action-ever meriting, every receiving the
 confidence and performing the will of the
 people of our good commonwealth.
 W hile Lieutenant Governor Cooke was
 speaking Governor Bigelow quietly asked
 Ex-Senator Bowers, of New Haven, to act as
 chairman for the remainder of the day. MT.
 Bowers accepted the burden thus unexpect-
 edly imposed upon him, and gracefully in troduced Hon. John A. Tibbitts, Speaker of the House. Speaker Tibbitts was received
 with applause and was frequently cheered during the delivery of his address. In closing he said: This gathering will pass into history as one of the most notable in the annals of the State. It must recall to the minds of all here present many pleasant recollections, many cherished associations, many important events in the legislation of Connecticut. It can but awaken in all our hearts a feeling of just and honorable pride in the record of the General Assembly.
 In behalf of the House of 1886, I desire to say welcome to you all. May the legislative veterans, who have bid farewell to public life and return but day to the stage on which they were so long actors, repose in the happy consciousness of dutY well and faith fully performed. May the young men who are just coming to the front to bear the bur den and heat of the day thoroughly appre- ciate the great responsibilities which rest up on those who are chosen to serve the people, and may they meet those responsibilities fearlessly and honestly, and thus maintain unsullied the honor of the State of Connecti- 1 cut
 Hon. Joseph R. Hawley, United States 1 Senator, was introduced and was received l with loud cheers. His address, though l brief, was very appropriate to the occasion and scholarly withal
 When Senator Hawley concluded, Chair l man Bowers in a most felicitous speech pre- sented Hon. Israel Coe of Waterbury, the | oldest living Representative, who was seated l on the platform, with beautiful basket of | flowers. The old gentleman (ninety three | years) arose from his chair, bowed graceful | ly and handing his address to Secre- I tary Curtiss of the executive commit | tee requested him to read the | same, which he did. The address was | very interesting on account of it's historic | reference to his colleagues in the General | Assembly of 1924.
 Hon. John A. Foote of Ohio, member of | the Connecticut legislature of 1929, was in- | troduced and spoke very Interestingly. He l was frequently interrupted with cheers dur ing the delivery of his address.
 Letters were read from United States Sen l ator o. H. Platt, Charles J. McCurdy of | Lyme and others.
 The exercises were brought to close | shortly before o'clock by singing to the ] tune of America, My Country 'Tis of Thee l and three rousing cheers for 'tgood old Con- l necticut."
 The review and dress parade of the First l regiment, c. N. G., took place on the Capi- tol grounds immediately after the exercises were concluded in the House and was wit messed by hundreds of people.
 Thus ended the first general reunion of l the ex-members of the General Assembly of ] Connecticut, which all pronounced grand l success in every particular.