Morning journal and courier., 1893-03-25
DON'T WANT THE TASK.

DON'T WANT THE TASK.
Senator Perkins Resigns From the |
Committee on state Prison ana
Senator Jones Takes His Place on
the Committee-The Senate Want
Special Investigation Committee
aud Appoint Senators Root ana
Jones ms Their Part of the Same
The House ables the Resolution-
The Secret Ballot Law.
HARTFORD, March M.-[Special.l -
Senate Chairman Perkins of the state
prison committee, evidently came to the
conclusion to day, that discretion WAS the
better part of valor In regard to the pro-
posed state prison investigation, as he re-
signed from the committee. When the
senate convened Senator Perkins immedia-
tely arose and rendered his resignation, as
he had not time to attend to the work in
volved. Mr.. Perkins, who had voted
against the state prison committee under
taking the investigation, evidently did not
relish the work before him, 80 took the
first opportunity to resign. On notion OF
Senator Pierce Mr.. Perkins. resignation
was tabled long enough to allow the pas
sage of resolution introduced by Sena-
tor Holden, raising special COM
mittee Of two senators and three
representatives to investigate the charges
of inhumanity against Warden Chamber,
berlain, with power to send for papers and
persons, to employ counsel and stem
ographer, to punish for contempt, and to
act during any recess of the legislature and
at any time or place, when 1t was taken
from the table and accepted. Senator
Jones was then appointed az senate chair
man of the committee on state prison, and
Senators Jones and Root, the senate mem
bers of the special Investigating committee.
Senator Jones is prominent physician in
the western part of the state, while Sena-
tor Root is capable and fearless attorney
in Waterbury, and with two such men on
the committee the investigation is sure to
be thorough one.
Prior to the passage of the resolution a
long discussion took place. Mr.. Holden
claimed that the people demand a most
searching investigation and will tolerate
nothing else A special committee was
necessary as the standing committee did
not possess sufficient power to conduct the
inquiry and the charges were of such a ma
tuIe as to demand the service of a special
committee. Senator Ho1comb believed the
| sensational statements In the New York
World were grossly exaggerated, that no
such state Of affairs exists, but that as the
| matter had become public an investiga-
| ton was necessary 30 that the public would
| be satisfied. Senator Cleveland favored
| the special committee IN justice to Warden
| Chamberlain and for the honor OF
| the state an immediate investi
| cation was demanded. Senator Morgan
thought that the senate should defer &C
| ton until the state prison committee had
obtained some evidence to justify the in
quiry. Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.. Phelps pre-.
tested against the way the NewYork papers
| had DETAINED the fair name of Connecticut
in the stories they had published. Thu
latter thought that the New York papers
had better pay attention to corruption al
Albany and the management of New YorI
state prisons and let Connecticut take care
of her own affairs. Mr.. Hall, dem and
Mr.. Fox, DEM, favored the special com
mittes. The former, who is chairman Of
the committee on humane institutions, ad
| vocated immediate action and expressed
bis surprise that Warden Chamberlain hae
not asked for an investigation. Mr.. Fol-
said he knew of the case of a strong, heart.
negro who was sent to state prison a few
months ago and died on Wednesday 0
quick consumption.
Under suspension of the rules the res
olution was Immediately sent to the house
! where Mr.. Healy of Wilson moved to con
cur with the senate in the matter MI
Wood of Manchester, moved by way o
amendment that it be tabled, and upon
| vote which stood 81 to 40, 1t was Giscov
| cred that the house was without uorum
What was more Of a surprise to those pres
emit was that on euch a resolution part
lines had been drawn and tie vote hat
resulted. the republicans voting to tabl
and the democrats to pass the resolution
The resolution will without doubt pas
on Tuesday, as enough republicans will
vote with the democrats to pass the meas
ure, as the talk on all sides was that eucl
a committee should bs appointed, an.
party feeling should not enter Into such
grave question.
Governor Morris sent to the senate tn
nomination Of General George Haven o
New London to be brigsdier- general of tn
National Guard. It was referred to tn
committee on executive nominations, a
was the resignation of Alfred E. Burr
chairman Of the state board of health
The senate passed the bill validating tn.
acts of slocal judges and paying them TO
their service during the deadlock, anc
other minor matters. Trustees of the Con
neotiout hospital for the insane at Middle
town were elected for four years, ss fol
lows: Costello Lippett of Norwich, ex
Senator Wilbur B. Foster Of Rockville ant
DR.. w. D. Morgan of Hartford In place O.
Senator Cleveland.
Before the committee on the judiciary
this afternoon several prominent men O.
the state appeared and took part In thu
discussion over bills for providing for {
secret ballot system. The main bill con
sidered was for the proposed passage of I
law similar to the Massachusetts, election
law. R. 8. Human of Hartford advocated
the bill making the law similar to that IL
Massachusetts. Under that law, he said
the voting ia done in such public name
as to practically allow of no fraud, as ma,
now be practiced under our present law.
Nicholas Countryman of Hartford re
ferred to list of thirty three states whicl
had adopted ballot laws similar, but no
exactly like the Australian ballot law. Ii
all but two of these states the envelop,
has been abolished. Continuing he sale
the main feature of this Australian law Il
that the ballot remains in the hands of tn,
state until 1t is cast.
Attorney G. W. Fowler of New Havsr
advocated the Australian system, except
that instead of cross before the names o.
the candidates voted for that all names
not being voted are to be crossed off by
the man casting the ballot.
Elk Representative Walker of Hartford
Advocated an unpaid commission Of
lawyers to consider for the next two years
aud prepare thorough good Australian
law, and submit to next general assembly.
Hon. Henry T. Blake of New Haven op
posed the amendment. He did not favo,
the Australian system. He believed 1t tc
be too complicated and cumbersome with
too many technicslities which deprived the
voter of his rights. He advocated more
simple system, that of using q ballot TO,
each party and an official envelope. HI
would give the voter the right te
prepare his ballot in any way he wished
and any place he wished, putting or
pastors or scratching out names, If he &c
desired. The ballot, however, should, ac
cording to his desires, be placed in an off
cial envelope and deposited in public HI
argued that this was very simple, all could
understand it and no votes would b.
thrown out because the voter made mari
In the wrong place. He submitted sub
stitute for the bill before the committee
and asked that 1t be considered.
Governor Buckley also favored sim
pier system, and advocated the change sug
gested by Mr.. Blake.
| Another hearing before the committee