Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-12-20
AT LAST.

HARTFORD, Dec. 10 Especial When
the senate convened to-day quite num-
Der of spectators were present in expec-
tation of q sensational report from the |
senate committee en- the doings of the |
county commissioners. They were dis
appointed, however, when the report was
presented for, despite the amount Of
money expended In gathering the testi-
mony, the testimony was not presented,
nor were the names of any of the county
commissioners given. The report caused
little discussion on the part of the sena-
tors, it having already been discussed
in caucus at various previous times, and
practically accepted by all the senators
beforehand. The report, while giving
some facts relative to the possible cor
ruption of some of the commissioners and
recommending some reforms, is uninterest
ing.
THE SENATE.
The senate convened at O'Clock this
afternoon, and after tabling resolution
concerning the abatement of the military
tax, the report of the committee on doings
of county commissioners was presented by
Senator Thayer. It is as follows:
STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
SENATE, JANUARY SESSION, 1891.
To the Senate-The undersigned, con-
stituting the select committee named in
senate resolution No. AZ, and therein d.
rected to investigate the doings of the
county commissioners of this state for the
three years prior to April, 1891, s'and par
&iou1orlv IN ipuriro uhafhor orv oorpty
commissioner has been Influenced in his
official action by any valuable considera-
ton moving him thereunto, or by any po-
Htical or personal motive whatsoever, or
has Improperly used his official position or
influence to gain political or personal ad-
vantage" respectfully report that, acting
under the authority given them in the
resolution, they employed Mr.. Leonard
Cogswen of New Haven as their official
stenographsr; and as their counsel, Mr.
George Elliott Sill for Hartford county,
kr. Edmund Zacher for New Haven county,
Mr.. Jacob B. Klein for Fairfield and Litch-
field counties, Mr. jeremiah ]. Desmond
for New London county, Mr.. M. Eugene
Culver for Middlesex county, Mr.. John L.
Hunter for Windham county, and Mr.. L.
T. Tipgier for Tolland county; and instruct
ed the counsel to produce before them all
evidence obtainable in their respective
counties relative to the subject of their in
vestigation. This report Ia based upon the
testimony so produced.
The relations which exist between the
county commissioners and liquor licensees
are found to be of character tending to
give the commissioners a power not CON
templated by the statute and to greatly en-
barrass those who seek to obtain and report
the facts. AS testified by a leading whole
| sale dealer in Intoxicating liquor, the
| liquor sellers in this state appear to be q
superstitious sect who have an abiding
| faith in the friendship of the commission
ers and seek by their behavior to gain and
retain it. The fact that it is possible for
such relations to exist between public Off
cials aad particular class whose pecuniary
| interests are largely within their control
has found weight with the committee in
making suggestions for future legislation
Before entering upon their duties your
committee duly considered their powers
under the resolution. No charges are
therein preferred against any individual
commissioner; no person is named as the
subject of special investigation, and the
sole power of Impeachment resides, not Ia
the ssnate, but in the other branch of the
general assembly. They therefore were
unable to find any authority for taking
any proceedings calculated to bring any
person before the senate, in person or by
name, nor did they fesl warranted in max
| ing their investigation in q manner tina,
would or might lead to the publication Of
their testimony; and they purposely avoid
all mention of name and localities in this
report.
At the opening of their first session the
committee caused their Interpretation Of
resolution No AZ, and their mode of pro
cedure under 1t, to be published as followe
1 TIo, -
relate to the methods adopted by certain
public officials IN the performance of thei,
duty. In order to be just to those whose
acts are to be brought under review thu
committee deem it necessary to conduc
their Investigations in private. The testi
mony to be taken will, as a whole, be tn,
basis of the committees report to the sen
ate; and to permit detached portions to b.
published as introduced would, in tn,
opinion Of the committee, not only embar
rass them in their investigation, but tent
to prejudice the public mind in advance O.
their report.
public session, which will be duly an
nounced, when all eonsinterested in tn
subject of investigation will be heard.
The committee do not regard themselYe
as the triers of any charge preferred
against the commissioners, but interpre
the resolution under which they hav
power to act, to require them to ascertain
if any evils exist which should be RENE
died by legislation, and in their report t.
recommend suoh changes a. seem neces
cary.
The investigation will be made in susl
manner as to protect the witnesses VIII
are compelled to give evidence as well a
those whose methods are the subject 0
investigation, and full opportunity to b
heard will be afforded to anyone who's
personal character or reputation may b
brought in question.
With no discourtssy to the press, tn
committee, therefore, feel constrained t.
exclude the reporters from the COMMITTEES
room during the progress of the investiga
ton.
The committee thereupon proceeded t.
!. | execute the direction contained in the res
4 olution, and examined under oath larg
| number of witnesses in different parts o
: the state, whose testimony establishes tn
; following facts:
Certain county commissioners in ofio
: during the three years mentioned hav
:. been Influenced in their official action b,
: valuable considerations and by politica
: and personal motives, and their officia
8 poaitjcn and Influence have been improp
erly used to gain both political an,
+ personal advantage. They hsye ex
8 ercised their Office In certain localities 81
as to thwart the expressed will of the PEG
pie. In towns where temperance senti
ment was strong, spurious and Intoxicating
liquor has been openly sold in violation O
law, and the commissioners have disre
garded the reasonable request of the PEG
9 pie for the appointment of local prose
cutor Whose assumption of authorit,
would have ended such illegal traffic. II
other towns where the voters have de
termined By ballot to grant licenses to sci
liquor, the commissioners have denied al
applicants for licenses, and 80 deprived tn
town of the money benefit to be derived
therefrom. In other towns they hav
established an arbitrary limitation, and E,
created a monopoly of the liquor business
They have granted liquor licenses to keep
ers of houses of ill-repute, In violation Q
the statute and against the protests of
large number Of citizens Of the highes
character and responsibility for no apparen
reason except to crafty two OF tire
persons who then welded considersbl
political influence. Money has been pail
to county commissioners to influence thei
votes, and like payments have been mad
to third persons for the benefit of the com
missioners to influence their action. T
advance their own pecuniary interests the
have, in several instances, resorted to petit
schemes based upon their knowledge o
the above mentioned superstition of tn