Morning journal and courier., 1891-03-25
THE SEYMOUR RESOLUTION

THE SEYMOUR RESOLUTION at Length 1n the Senate Yesterday-Senator Foster, Demo- cratic. Offers a New Way or Settle- ment-Senator Thayer WtthdraWs His Btu For Amendment - The House May Adjourn Until Septem- Der.
 HARTFORD, March 24.-[Speeial. 1.-The senate was in session all day discussing the Seymour resolution, which the repub- lican senators in cAacus voted to oppose. The caucus composed of two representa- tives from each county was held at the capitol to-day, and it was voted to take recess until September if nothing was done this week.
 The Senate.
 The senate met at 12 o'clock noon and immediately took recess until 1:3O p. m The senate reconvened at 1:3O p. m., when Senator Fox, dem., of the Eighth, introduced the bill drawn by Hon. Henry T. Blake of New Haven, proposing new way of settling the question. After stat ing that he presented the bill by request, Senator Fox moved that it be tabled, which was done.
 SENATOR FOSTER PRESENTS A BILL.
 Senator Foster, dem., of the Twenty third, presented a resolution concerning a way out of the difficulties. The bill, after reciting the present situation of affairs, proceeds as follows:
 And, whereas It is essential to the tra nsaction of the business of the state that said dispute and difference be settled and at the earliest date by the senate and the house Of repreSentatlVes m acted, that said dispute and differences be sub mitted to committee comprlsed or Jonn D. Park of nS w and the persons legally entitled to said offices.
 Section 9. The senate and house of represent atiyes shall each, at the earliest duty, appoint a committee of three members to have charge ot said inquiry and to submit to said arbltrators the issue of facts, and the evidence relevant to the same, as claimed by each house and the con- sttutional questions arising therefrom be conducted according to the rules of evidence and said arbitrators shall have and exercise all the powers and duties of courts of law in de- terinning the matters in question.
 Section ]. On or before July l, 1891, said arbi trators shall report final decision in writing to the presiding officer of each house for announce. ment in the same, which decision shall be final and bind all parties interested in said dispute.
 Section 5. Said arbitrators shall in addition to the duties aforesaid, determine in particular what is an equal apportionment of the appolntlve or fees ct the governor so determined by them, who shall appointto said offices spersonsrecommendeo by them.
 Section G. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
 tabled for printing.
 Senator Thayer here withdrew his bill for amendment.
 The business of the day was then taken up, with Senator Foster in the speakers chair.
 Senator Clark, rep., of the Twenty first discussed the Judson and Seymour bills al length, during which he said: SENATOR cLARK's SPEECH. MT. President:
 Before entering upon the discussion o1 this question desire briefly to review the general situation. There is much talk among senators about taking stand from which they cannot recede. If we should ever get at the work we were sent here tC do we shoald find, as all previous general l assemblies have found, that nearly all our work was that of conference and review.
 It is very seldom that measure is sat isfactory to both branches. We do not
 
 ence and reconsideration. That is all there is to this elevated talk. Let us re- consider.
 The house has made seven distinct prop ositions to settle this controversy; first, by joint committee; second, by joint conven- tion; third, by a non-partisan joint com mittee; fourth, to leave all questions to the supreme court; fifth, to leave it to four judges, two of each party; sixth, to ask the advice of the supreme court of errors; seventh, to leave it to the superior and supreme courts.
 This seventh, and last proposition, known as the Judson bill, and a substitute bill offered by Senator Seymour, and an other substitute bill offered by Senator Thayer, are now before us.
 Thus far, except what may be found in these two substitute bills, no suggestion has been made by the senate looking toward @ settlement of this controversy.
 The minority of this branch have long desired to reach settlement. Some means by which the work of the people could go forward. We believe that if this seventh and last house proposition, known as the Judson bill, could pass as it is, or if not, if it could pass with some slight amend ments, that the trouble would speedily end.
 But let us return to our subject: If we could adopt the Judson bill or some other reasonable bill or plan of settlement we could then be of service to our constitu- ents and credit to ourselves.
 In summing up, think, as before stated that there is some merit in portions of this Seymour substitute bill, some can be found in section two. think it could be so amended that in the future it might pre- vent similar contests and be within the limits of the constitution.
 I have also given the Judson bill careful thought and attention. So far as I can see it seems to be an excellent measure. A measure that would amend all of the questions in dispute direct to the courts. The superior and supreme court of errors would soon pass upon all disputed ques- tions and the entire controversy would soon be in the hands of, and decision reach by, our highest judicial tribunal. | ll know the gentleman from the Eighth says that the five lawyers upon the other side are just as well qualified to decide this matter az the five judges of the su- spreme court, but. he forgets that they have had the case in hand for ten weeks and cannot close their decision. This Judson bill is fair bill. It is we'll drawn and a wise measure, and if adopted it ought to bring the desired relief.
 I said ought to, MT. President, but if we should pass hundred bills and pay no more attention to them than we have to our constitution, to the fundamental law of the land they would avail us nothing.
 While most sincerely hope that we may pass this Judson bill pure and sim pie, just as it has come from the house, I must say that unless we obey their de- mands they will fail.
 A majority of either branch of this as- sembly can wilfu,ly say as they have said for the last ten weeks that they are the highest court on earth, and therefore will obey no law.
 Please vote for, pass and obey the man. dates of the Judson bill.
 SPEAKER READ TAKES HAND.
 Senator Seymour was here called to the chair and Speaker Read took the floor for the first time during the session and said: It seems to me as though there was a chance for light in this case which the senator from the Twenty-frst is very anx- ious to see. In the first place it seems to me that
 SOME METHOD SHOULD BE ADOPTED so that we might go on with the business of the state. We believe that the demo- cratic state officers should be doing their