Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-11

elections would suggest a modification of the registration laws now in force, and that in the larger and moro populous towns and cities personal registration be required If the present statutes were 70 amended as to require 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 citizens, it would be clearly in the line of in- telligent progressive legislation.
 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, ,21S, 6OS 34, and funded and other in- debtedness of $3O, ,521, ,OO7 O2 The number of miles of road within the limits of the state Is 80; the number of passengers transported during the year, 22 972, ,666, and the tons of freight carried, 7,729, ,549.
 SAVINGS BANKS.
 The number of savings banks reporting to and under the supervision of the bank com missioners is eighty-five, with deposits of $1o5 $50, ,07s.9 .95 and aggregate assets of *111,- s16,9 an increase of deposits during the past year of &, ,66O, 144.23 The number of depositors is 2S7, 776, an increase of .361 dur ing the same period. These institutions are reported as in sound financial condition
 Sixteen banks and trust companies, with aggregate capitals of s, 426, 900 and assets of more than $l1 900 900, represent the banking institutions incorporated under state autho- rity. All are reported in sound condition. Ten fire and six life companies, chartered by the state, and eighty six fire, and twenty one life companies, organized in other states and foreign countries, are transacting busi- of ment. The vast accumulations in the hands of these corporations-ife, $55s, ,370, ,947; fire, SITS, ,S39, ,027. 31 ;-attest the confidence of the people in these great benefcent institutions. Sixteen mutual fire companies are also or ganized under state charters
 VITAL STATISTICS.
 The death rate, as estimated, compares favorably with that of other and adjoining states, being between IT and IS per 1000 in habitants
 The number of births during the year was 16,5S3, deaths 12,3 ,3S5.
 The estimated population of the state based upon returns from the different towns for the year 1887, was 727, 276.
 THE LIQUOR QUESTION.
 The last general assembly proposed, and ordered published with the laws an amend ment to the constitution prohibiting the manufacture and sale of Intoxicating liquors, except for certain specified purposes. Under existing laws, delegating to the towns the power to control in matter of license, prac- tical prohibition may exist, wherever public sentiment, as evidenced by the voice of the people in their vote. will sustain or demand it, and in nearly one-half the towns in the state such sentiment prevails.
 PUTNAM's WINTER QUARTERS
 The committee appointed to erect a suit able memorial on the Putnam winter quarters in the town of Redding have completed their work, and a granite monument, with appro- priate inscriptions, now marks the ground on which Putnam's division of the Conti- mental army passed the winter of 1777-7a On the 14th of June, 1888, the equestrian statue of Gen. Israel Putnam was unveiled in the town of Brooklyn with imposing cere- monies.
 CENTENNIAL.
 It is proposed to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the inauguration of Wash ington as the first president of the United States in New York city on the 30th of April next. A commission has been appointed on behalf of Connecticut, by the governor, to cooperate in the preliminary labors.
 With an humble trust in Divine Provi- dence, that guided wisely the fathers in the foundation of this government, let us, through our labors here, strive to perpetuate and transmit to our successors the precious heritage intrusted to our keeping.
 MORGAN G. BULKELEY.