Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-01-07
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
First Vancouver In the Constitu
tional Battle.

HARTFORD,S Jan Tine great Consul |
tutional battle was begun this morning.
An event which is likely to have great
effect on the struggle occurred yester
day afternoon. A secret caucus of the
republican members-elect was held, at
which Chairman Benton called upon the
members to pledge themselves not to
vote for any man on the democratic
state ticket unless the democratic sena-
tors will confer with the house in re-
ferring all the rejected ballots to the
courts for adjudication. Every republi
can member but two were present, and
all pledged themselves to follow the in
structions of the chairman.
There was great excitement around
the lobby this morning when it was re.
ported that Senator Cleveland of Hart
ford, has declared that General Merwin
shall never be inaugurated unless over
his dead body. All that Senator Cleve-
land would deywaa deny the report.
In caucus yestel day afternoon the
democratic state central committee
passed the following:
Whereas, In the opinion of the demo-
cratic state central committee, the
present political situation can be met in
no way by democratic senators and
representatives, which involves any
compromise or any desertion of the
principles underlying the democratic
claims, therefore, be it
Resolved, That in our opinion the duty
ofthe democratic senators and representa-
tives to the people, their party and their
constituents, is to insist on the seating of
l.. b. Morris as governor and the other
democratic candidates on the state
ticket, to rebuke any proposition which
Injuries his or their claims, and to set
their faces strongly against any en-
tangling alliance with their political
| Nk.,NN S,NEw F.Nv.
principles first, office next. no court or
no party is superior to the people.
THE HOUSE.
The temporary organization of the
house was begun ut 10 o'clock, with
speaker Perry in the chair. The first
event which showed the determination
of the democrats to fight the battle inch
| for inch, was a question of privilege in
troduoed by Representative Walker of
Hartford, leader on the democratic side.
He asked that the name of John E. Leg
gett of Avon, representative of 1888, be
ordered placed on the roll, as his success
sor, John Malone, has died. Representa-
tive Walker made his request under the
constitutional amendment of 1884.
Chairman Perry ruled him out Of order
An appeal was taken from this decision
and rising vote was called. The chair
mans decision was sustained by i
party vote of 1872 to lib. A resolution was
then offered and passed that the name
of John +. LeggRtt be placed on the roll.
A similar resolution was offered by
Representative Mccarthy of NauRatuck,
asking that the name of Jacob q. CARR
son be placed on the roll. The last census
showed that Naugatuck is entitled to
two representatives, and Mr. Gar
rison was elected second represen
tative at the recent election
A motion to table the resolution was
passed by vote of 1870 to 100.
August w. Merwin of Wilton, demo
crat, who resigned because he believed
his opponent received the most votes
said that he had since learned that hi:
opponent received a number of votes 10y
bribery and should resign.
Allen w. Paige of Huntington wa
then elected permanent chairman by :
vote of 1873 to ZIG; s. A. Eddy, clerk
A. S. Gates, assistant clerk, and Re-
James S. Holmes, chaplain.
S. A. Judson Of Stratford moved tina
the rules be amended making the entir
session of the legislature one day. 1t wa
explained that the amendment was TO
the purpose of preventing either part.
from being deprived of their rights il
: the election Of state officers, and tn
! constitution says that she officers mus
: be declared elected within two day
! after the general assembly convened.
: Representative Walker opposed tn
q measure claiming that twenty fou
I hours constituted a day and a legislativ
day could not be made to cover sewers
= months. The resolution was passed b
! a party vote.
!, A resolution to have the senate frs
u canvass the votes and afterwards tn
$ house was lost, and the rules OF 1855
u calling for a joint session, were adopted
Q THE SENATE.
The senate organized without inc
4 dent, all the senators being present
u The democratic nominees were elected
K In accepting the craftsmanship Pres
y dent D. NJ. Reed Of bridgeport made
short patriotic speech in which h
}, thanked his colleagues for the hone
e conferred upon him, and called upon a
> to do their duty.
8 Senators Thayer, Pierce end Shun
n way were appointed a committee o
i rules; Senators Fox and Shumway,
committee upon the canvass of vote
II for senators,
n Rev Mr. Storrs of Seymour, We
D elected chaplain.
Senator Seymour, democrat, offered
a resolution that Senators Fox and Shun
way be appointed committee to re
o. ceive from the treasurer, secretary {