Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-01-21
mEnwIr PREsrDEs.

MERWIN PRES1OE9.
The Sensation OF the Nay at the state |
Capitol YesterdAy--L.ieutenan Gov
ernor Mersgin I'm the Chair-His Adj |
dress to the Senate-United states |
Senator Flat Renominated by the |
House-The Senate,s Action-Short |
Sessions In Both Branches-A Force |
OF Deputy sheriffs Mt the state Cap
itol.
HARTFORD, JAM Especial. To-day
was another day of great interest at the
state capitol and the proceedings, though
not revolutionary OF belligerent, and, in
fact, rather tame, were yet such as to still
further complicate matter for the demo-
Gratis in their quasi recognition of Lieuten-
ant Governor Merwin as presiding officer
of the senate. This proceeding produced
much discussion among the democrats and
after General Aerwin had finished protests
were entered. The presence of deputies
in the capitol was somewhat of an exciting
feature of the day. As early as o O'Clock
members of the two houses began to ar
rive, along with the visitors, who were
somewhat surprised to see Deputy Sheriff
Chapman with a posse of deputies, who
had been sworn in for the occasion, patrol
ing the corridors and guarding the doors
leading to the different state Offices, as if
they expected another demand from the
democrats to surrender them. Among the
New Haven people who came up to witness
the proceedings were Hon. N. D. Sperry,
Prosecuting Attorney Daley, Judge Harri-
son, Attorneys Cable, Niles, Stanley and
Others While the various rumors were
being discussed Lieutenant Governor Mer-
win appeared in the building and proceed
ed direct to the lieutenant governors room,
where Deputy Sheriff Moore was in wait
ing to render any assistance necessary. On
being notified that Liutenant Governor
Merwin had arrived and was in his room
Speaker Read of the senate, together with
Judge Stoddard, Attorney Cole, counsel
for Governor Buckley, and Attorney
Daley of New Haven, proceeded to hold a
private interview with him concerning his
course of action when the senate con-
vened.
Promptly at 1890 o'clock General Mer-
win entered the senate chamber, which
was densely crowded with anxious specta-
tors, and at once proceeded to take the
chair, after speaking pleasantly to several
of the senators present, and called the
body to order. Chaplain Seymour offered
prayer, during which he prayed earnestly
that their might be peaceful settlement
of all the troubles now pending. Lieuten-
ant Governor Merwin then said:
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MERw1N's ADDRESS.
Senator's Circumstances over which have no
control keep me in office as lieutenant governor
ing that some Of YOU or Of NV fellow Citizens
| might think me negligent Of public trust in not
having assumed my duties as presiding officer of
No one was ever placed in a more delicate posi-
AS a candidate for governor It seemed proper
| that should refrain from taking part in your
delay might be Of longer duration than any IF US
| have anticipated, am before you to say that if
it should continue to q period when it appeared
to be my duty to again take up the gavel will
No one will more cheerfully welcome DR.. Al
nYs ns
Senators, let me hope that the clouds of the
Politically Ihnd that the senate Of '92 the re-
verse OF 49, but let me hope before the close Of
the present session we shall find but one party
now as we did then and that party, solid for law
| name of Connecticut.
Senators, if I am called to again preside over
let ask 20 OF B 4 PLY the
| two years ago.
PRESIDENT READ NOW CALLED UPON.
President pro tenn. Read was then called
to the chair by General Merwin and the
latter at once retired, after which Senator
Pierce of the Fourth arose, and impressed
it upon the minds of the other members OF
the senate, that only out of courtesy had
General Merwin been allowed to preside,
and that they did not recognized him in
any way as ieutenant-gove nor should
they hereafter or did they now waive
any of the rights the majority of the sen
ate claimed for DR.. Alsop.
| DEMOCRATS PROTEST.
Senator Fox of the Eighth followed in
the same strain as Senator Pierce, protest.
ing vigorously against Lieutenant Cover
nor Merwin being allowed to take the
chair, but still highly praising him as g
| good and upright man, and that he was
only compelled to make the move he die
by the dictation of the republican leaders
Senator Pierce then informed the Other
members of the senate that at the mex
session he would introduce formal resolu
tons of protest.
VOTE FOR UNITED STATES SENATOR.
A vote was next taken for United Statel
senator, which resulted in Hon. Carlos
French receiving seventeen and Hon. O.
81. Platt seven. The senate then adjourned
until tomorrow at p. m.
THE DEMOCRATIC BLUNDER
From gossip picked up in the corridors
after the adjournment of the senate, the
general opinion was that the democrat.
had made mistake in allowing Genera
Merwin to preside and thus practically
recognizing him as lieutenant governor
and consequently binding themselves tx
recognize no otlser.
WAITING FOR DEVELOPMENTS.
On the other hand it was said that the
democrats only allowed General Merwin te
preside and thereby do some overt ACT
which would better afford opportunity fol
action of "quo warranto." The leaders Of
both factions, however, refused to disclose
the meaning of this step and nothing is te
be done by waiting for new developments
tomorrow.
| In the House.
| At quarter past ten o'clock the house
was called to order by Speaker Paige and
l &c