Morning journal and courier., 1889-04-04

his crime, still everything is in doubt. The excitement about the Capitol is intense. To-day hardly anything else was discussed in Hartford and about the Capitol. Cover nor Bulkeley, upon whose shoulders the legis- lators are now seeking to shift the entire re- sponsibility for Swift's life or death, is the most to bo pitied, and furnishes a conspic- uous example of the adage that "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.' The people of Hartford have always felt very intensely on this matter, and owing to the general air. ing in the legislature the people of the entire State are all aroused, and the Governor is besieged. Many representatives, it is said, received so much criticism from their constituents that they desire to have the matter reconsidered in order to change their votes. The only way to accomplish this result, they think, is for the Governor to veto the bill, whereby they may have chance to vote against pass ing it over his veto. In other words, they seek to make the Governor the man to hang Swift and thereby put on to one man the re- sponsibility they cannot bear collectively. A delegation of Middlesex county representa- tives waited upon Governor Bulkeley this morning and urged him to veto the bill on the ground that it would be very satisfac- tory action on his part to the people of Mid- dlesex county. Governor Bulkeley replied that in 8 case of life and death he proposed to do his duty according to conscience and the best light he could obtain with out regard to whether it was satis- to the people of any withdrew somewhat abashed.
 The situation tonight is as follows: The three days which are required by the conSti- tuition to make bill law without the sig nature of the governor do not expire until 12 o'clock Friday night. Swift is sentenced to be hanged between 10 and 2 o'clock Friday, and the sentences must then be counted out unless the governor signs this bill before Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock and transmits it to the sheriff or reprieves the murderer. It cannot commute the sentence in time with out his signature.
 Governor Bulkeley told your correspondent this afternoon that he should take no action on the bill to-day, From this it is to be inferred that he will either sign tomorrow, or that Swift will hang. He will not dodge the issue as it appears to be too late. The governor now must either save or hang, it seems from the promises by his own act. For any single man this is a severe ordeal and for a citizen of Hartford much more so. There is another aspect of the case, however, for R. Jay Walsh, Secre- tary of State says that at midnight Thursday night he shall sign the resolution law on the supposition that three days have elapsed since Governor Bulkeley received the paper. Sheriff Spaulding said to day there was but one thing for him to do. The death warrant was in his hands and unless he was officially notified to the contrary he should execute it. The gallows are ready. The sheriff has an appointment with Governor Bulkeley to- night.
 COMMITTEE HEARINGS.
 The railroad committee had another execu- tive session to-day, but have as yet decided upon no report on any of the propositions concerning the Housatonic road before them No report Is expected this week.
 The fishery committee have not yet taken @ vote on the bill to abolish the shell fish commission, and will not report this week. Some change in the existing state of affairs will be recommended.
 The committee On finance considered the bill to tax theaters, circuses, etc.. on their income. In opposition to it were Attorney Curtis Thompson of Bridgeport, who said he represented the "greatest moral show on earth" and s. Harrison Wagner, who said he represented the great moral teacher, the the- ater. He appeared for G. B. Bunnell, Proc tor and other theatrical managers.
 Manager Bunnell opposed the bill on the tionate. The thesters now pay license fees and direct taxes.
 LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
  pointed the following senators to represent the.Senate at the centennial in New York on April 30: First congressional district Hodge and Keeney. Second-Graham and Coffin. Third-Gardner and Fuller. Fourth Reed and Cowles.
 Speaker Perry appointed as members of the House delegation Messrs. Sheldon of Liteh- field, Corscaden of New Britain, Hammer of O'Neil of Waterbury, Brown of North Stonington, Allen of Sprague, Glover of Fairfield, Chichester of Milton, Day of Brooklyn, Sanger of Canterbury, Beardsley of Norwalk. Taylor of New Milford, Bell of Portland, Brainard of Chatham, Converse of Stafford and Pinney of Ellington.
 The committee on constitutional amend ments to-day reported fAvorably on the bill the manufacture and sale of iq- uors in the State. If the Senate and House accept the report it will go to the people for vote.
 Senator Hall, who has been threatened with pneumonia, sent word to-day that he expected to be present tomorrow.