Morning journal and courier., 1889-01-11
THE eOvERN0R's MESSAGE.
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE. l

consideration; and commend their sugges- tions, especially that portion of their report relating to the education of the boys in some useful trade, which they can follow after their discharge from the school. No special
 appropriation is asked for this purpose, but
 it is suggested that the money received for
 land damages (eight thousand dollars) be rs- turned to the trustees for re6tting the main building for such a use.
 The number of inmates at the date of re- port was 427, and there have been received since the school was organized 4,4l7. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. The number of inmates of this institution at the date of the last annual report was 212. The whole number admitted since it's
 foundation is 7S9, representing one hundred and nineteen different towns. The philan- thropic founders of this school, in its pres- ent success and it's promise for the future, are reaping a rich reward. This school should continue to receive from the State such reasonable and needed appropriations as are required for it's maintenance.
 JUDICIARY.
 An absolute necessity seems to exist for some adequate provision for the filling of vacancies that may from time to time occur among the judges of the higher courts, dur ing recess of the legislature, by reason of
 death, resignation or continued disability. Our courts, as now constituted, when fully
 equipped, require constant service to speedi-
 ly meet the requirements of the people in the trial of causes. The resignation of 8 judge of the Superior court shortly after the adjournment of the last General Assembly developed this necessity, and also that no power existed outside of the legislature to meet the emergency thus created. In the interest of the people l would recommend that either 8 moderate increase of the num-
 har of ha D. per amendment of the constitution the pow CT to fill vacancies that occur during recess of the legislature be vested in the executive, subject to confirmation by the Assembly at it's next session after such appointment.
 In this connection I venture to renew recommendation of one of my distinguished predecessors, that long and faithful service to the State is entitled to recognition and reward. As measure well calculated to draw from the honors and enoluments of the legal profession those best equipped for the laborious service of the bench, due pro- vision should be made that every judge of the Supreme Court of Errors or of the Supe- rior court who shall cease to be judge by ar irving at the age of seventy years, or who shall De retired by reason of disability, which should be provided for, after having served two full terms shall receive annually after such retirement, during life, such rea- sonable and just compensation as it may be your pleasure to grant. I believe this to be right in principle and a guarantee and pro- vision for advancing years to which such service is entitled.
 ATTORNEY GENERAL.
 I am satisfied, in the interest ot good gov~ ernment, that the several departments of the State, in the discharge of their duties, and the interpretation of the laws they are called upon to execute, are entitled to the advice end official opinion of an authorized public officer. Such opinions as are now secured at the pleasure of the departments have no official action. An attorney y-general or so- licitor of the State, appointed in such man. ner as you may direct, or elected by the peo- pie, as in many States, would provide for long felt want without increased expense for legal service.
 THE BELLoT.
 The policy and tradition of the State, in all it's legislation, has been, and in the stat utes, as they now exist, is to provide that every elector shall be permitted the exercise of the sacred right of the elective franchise, free from the control and knowledge of oth- CTS as to his individual action or choice. The present provisions of the law fail, in the minds of many. to provide that absolute se- crecy necessary for the fullest and freest ex- ercise of the franchiss,-renewed demands have been made to successive legislatures for relief, in the belief that such legislation as was asked would tend greatly to the welfare of the State, in the purity of it's elections, and provide against imaginary or possible intimidation of the voter. Such measures as have been presented from time to time have failed to receive approval, after careful ex- animation, as too cumbrous in their execu ton, or unsuited to the wants of the intelli- gent people of the State. I would advise, however, that this subject should again re- naiva ha fhouOhffn1 consideration Cf fha General Assembly, and that some law, sim pie in its character, and at the same time ef feetive in its operation, be enacted for the protection and secrecy of the ballot. The systems proposed, to which my attention has been attracted, as suggested and enacted in visions, and involve unnecessary delays to the elector and large expense to the public, without compensating security.
 As an additional advance toward honest elections, I would suggest modification of the registration law now in force, and that in the larger and more populous towns and cities personal registration be required. It is clearly the intent of the laws now in force to require ordinary intelligence or an educa- tional qualification as prerequisite to ad- mission to the privileges of an elector. The rigid enforcement of such law is as essen- tial as the law itself, in order that the obli- gations of the freedman's oath may be intel- ligently observed. Such a law should be
 uniform in it's interpretation throughout the
 State, and not. now, subject to the caprice or action of partisan political boards. If the
 present statutes were so amended as to re-
 quirs the reading of the constitution or
 statutes in the language in which they are ordinarily published by the State, and com monly spoken by large majority of our cit izens, it would be clearly in the line of in- telligent and progressive legislation. Such legislation Rs you may adopt to dignity and purify the atmosphere that surrounds our elective system will receive nay most hearty support and approval.
 CORPORATIONS.
 The corporate interests of the State super vised by State commissioners are the rail- roads, insurance companies, banks, savings
 banks and investment corporations.
 RAILROADS.
 The railroads of the State are largely con- centrated, either by ownership or long lease, in the New York, New Haven and Hartford and New York and New England companies and represent an aggregate capital stock of $63, 213, sos 34 and funded and other in- debtedness of S36, 521. .007 02. The number of miles of road within the limits of the State is 990, the number of passengers transported during the year g 972 666, and the tons of freight carried 2 729 549 The growth and development of the business of these roads during the period of ten years from 1879 has taxed their capacity to accommodate the de- mands upon them for speedy and safe trans portation of both passengers and freight. Measures are in progress for improving and extending the facilities of these roads, which have almost ceased to be local in their char acter, and have become in their connection with other systems highways of communica- tion for the whole country.
 You will be called upon at this session for legislation which will permanently determine the policy of the State regarding the concen- tration and consolidation of the capital and management of it's railroad corporations. Such concessions in this direction as may, in your wisdom, be properly granted should be surrounded by such wise provisions of law and limitations of power will give ade- auate protection to the people and preserve the corporations themselves from the growing prajudices and jealousies created by large az gregated capital.
 GRADE CROSSINGS.
 The rapid increase in the number and speeds of trains demands, as a matter of public safety and convenience, that all crossings at grade of highways should event- ually be abolished. The present laws to se- cure this end seemed reasonably satisfactory