New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-11
BA11or REFORM IN CONNECTICUT
HEARING OK THE HousAToNIc RhLRoAD't
PETITION FOR CHANGE IN IT'S CHATTER
WILL THE STATE FAVOR PRoHIBITIoNi


Hartford, March 10 CspeciaD.-rhe Judiciary Com
mtee has reached the consideration of the Ballot Re
form bills, and has already devoted two days to The
hearing upon their merits. Senator Morse, OF meH
den GDomJ made the opening argument, which was
In feyor OF bill amending the present law oy IN
cleasng the penalty for bribery and throwing greater
restrictions about the polingpaces but was not in
favor Of any bin which could be properly claSsed as
a secret ballot bill. Albert H. Waller, local polt-
clan who has been prominent in both political parties
introduced at the last moment, envelope ballot
bill Of his own framing which he supported NJ great
| length The committee has reached point Whero
80 does not care listen to arguments as to the
adv stability Of secret ballot, but will only hear tho
sdvocates Of particular schemes to obtain II. Tho
| second days hearing was devoted entirely to the
workngmen Of the State Of both parties representing
TganIzed labor as we'll as individual opinion There
was practical unanmity in regard to the need of an
olciai ballot preferrIng the envelope a. an add
tional precsutlon. The committee win continue tho
hearing the coming week, when Congressman simords
Judge Henney Colonel TibbIts, Charles A. Mitchell,
Of New-Britain; Henry @. Robinson, W. A. Country
man and other well-known public men who have
| taken an interest I'm the reform VIII speak In
behalf of tho Henney b which is recognized as the
nearest approach 10 the Australian system that the
people Of the state win accept 1t can DO taken for
granted that the committee has determined on pro-
seDting some sort of bn and It is quito likely that
its report VIII DC accepted WithOut partisan DIVISION
\ OF the Legislature.
Railroad matters before the Legislature have not
yet, gone beyond the Railroad Committee, which has
given an unusually long hearing TO the Housatonlc
road on its petition TO amend its charter that II
take advantage Of tho general railroad law, the ten
mile restriction clause Of that document standing I'm
tho way OF its announced intention to parallel the
old road below ewHaven. This is the only hearing
the Railroad Committee has Finished and It is hardly
probable that II win report upon this until after
Il has heard the petition OF the Consolidated road for
SIS increase OF stock hearing which bids fair to be
longer than that which has Just closed. No recent
session OF The Legislature has had largo problem
prscucahy cover the same question, that OF par.
elielipg from New-Havcn 90 Hew-York, the issue
being as 70 whether the old road shall do II the
4 H0usat0nic.
| The reappofntment Of Railroad Commissioners
woodruff and Hayward had been foreseen for the TWO
weeks previous 70 the Governors action. While there
y very considerable feeling In the State that
lawyer who WA pressed for the position and unless
the head Of the commission could be changed there
could be reasonable excuse for Changing The other
member tho business man OF tho commission.
Tho Temperance Committee has ilsteped 10 the
arguments for and against the snbmissiC~ 5. pro.
hbitoTy amendment 10 the constitution TO the people
Joseph r.. Barbour against IT, As The Republican
party Is pledged TO submit sueh arnendnent 10 Che
people, the committee viii undoubtedly recom1nerd
and the Legislature VIII agree TO submit Under ne
present condition OF affairs II would be surprsln1 n
the people should vote to adopt such an ameiIdment