Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-05-04
THE ELECTRIC BILL

asses the House With a Few More
Amendments After q Debate Last
ing From Ten Until -Four O'Clock
The Corrupt Practices Act Recon-
mitted by the Senate-The Prison
InvestigatIon-Maha and Martin |
on the Stand-Flnal Adjournment
Possible In June-NeV Haven Mat
ters go Over Until Next Week.
HARTFORD, May 3.-[Special 1.-The six
lours' debate in the house to-day over the |
general electric bill was some
what enlivened by the appearance on the
aoor of the house of about twenty mem
oers of the working girls club of New Ha-
zen, led by the daughter of Governor
Morris and accompanied by Miss Nellie
Sargent, Mics Ethel Wilcox, Miss Whitney
and several other society ladies interested
In the club.
The fight on the electric bill, as in the
senate, was on sections and 8, regarding
the carrying of baggage and the anti
parallel clause, and the giving power to
the railroad commissioners to decide vari-
GUS questions arising over the construction,
etc of the roads. The merits and defects
"a VIC JAIL WoIO aplJ aISucu Wy AAocSA6s
Allen of Sprague, Lees of Westport, Will
Jams and Hall of Glastonbury, Rockwell of
West Hartford and Gum of Milford, after
which 1t was passed with amendments,
striking out the baggage and anti-parallel
clauses and one allowing street railroads
to organize under the general railroad law.
This action sends the bill back to the sen
ate, and as they will probably not recede
from their former action, a committee of
conference will be appointed, which means
delay and a possible rejection Of the entire
bill.
There was long debate in the senate
this morning lasting over into the after
noon on the corrupt practice act which
the house several days ago. Senator Fox,
DEM, offered an amendment striking out
of each candidate may contribute at an
election from governor $1,000, down to
justice of the peace, school
officers, etc, $500. Several senators IA
vored the amendment and the bill entire
was advocated by Senators Holcomb, rep,
and Root, dem. and opposed by Senators
Crandall, dem. Morgan, dem, Miner,
rep, Jones, rep, and Pierce, dem. Sem
ator Holcomb while favoring the bill said
that the provision allowing candidates to
make expenditures to definite amount
would permit the candidates of each party
at state election to raise general fund of
81 $50, 900 and If there were foul
parties in the state and each candidate to
in the bill, $6,762, 400 could be legally
spent in state election. He admitted,
however, that there would not be sub
scribed by the candidates of the two great
parties over $75, 900 in one election. Mr..
Pierce severely criticised the provisions of
the bill, which was finally recommit.ed to
the judiciary. The bill passed the house
last week, and If it had succeeded in pass
ing the senate it would make any of our
influential citizens belonging to the Tariff
Reform club or other political clubs out
of the state where money Is used for
election purposes, amenabIe to criminal
prosecution and heavy penalty.
Before the state prison committee this
afternoon ex-Watohman Mehan was again
on the stand and finished his testimony,
which was to the effsct that the warden's
treatment of prisoners who were in good
health and able to work was humane, and
that only the sick, idietic and insane were
i'll treated. He thought that Frank Jones
died of starvation, as he would always beg
for something to eat, and one day when a
piece of dirty cracker WAS swept down the
prison hall by the witness Jones begged
him for Gods sake to give it to him as he
was starving. The witness also heard
Jones begging for bread from DR.. Fox, and
the doctor replied. "No, nc! You had bet
ter not have any"
In speaking of the Martin Collou Gaze
the witness stated that on the night Collou
was being taken to the west end, which
was the night Collou died, the latter, as he
was going through the chapel, turned to
Officer Holmes and said: LET me look at
the chapel, for it is the last time"
Mahan said that he had never seen the
warden trait prisoner cruelty out of
spite, as far as he knew.
Ex-Keeper Martin was recalled at
Warden Chamberlain's request, and in re-
ply to the latter's questions said that Di
rector Hewitt was one Of his neighbors.
know nothing against him.
thought he was friend of mine, until
I found out differently. I was appointed
on his recommendation. Mr.. Hewitt would
not listen to me when l went to him with
my complaints went to Mr.. Hewitt, and
when I complained that prisoner had at
tempted to escape, and he told me did
not know what I was talking about, ]
stated to Officer Horton that would not
obey the authority of the deputy.
Chamberlain-Have you the right to
question your euperiorsi
Witness-Yes, have; aud it was com
mon thing.
Jones-Answer yes or no.
Witness-I can't must answer in my
own way.
Root-Let him answer that way.
Jones-Let him answer, yes or no. At
this point the committee Gained down
and the witness said: Charles Horne1
escaped, he was five year man. He came
in April and escaped In May. He was
painting outside Of prison walls. had
charge of the men until I was relieved
when he escaped. When the man was
I should not be over there with Hornel
and ten other men, all time men, one Of
whom attempted to escape. They were al
outside the prison walls. Homer was
never caught. I have never written any
LISTERS regarding prison matters to any
one outside. I have never been employed
by any one to get this testimony for any
one, but have given the names to the
World of ex-OAicer Powers and all the
present officers at the prison, and suggested
that they see them.
We have prisoners called trustys, and
you have got to have such prisoners. The
warden once told me that prison limits OK
tended one mile outside of the prison.
kuo WdIuou always gave tuo pEl6Ouofs
fair chance to tell their story when com.
planned of.
When q man was well and able to work
and get fifty cents day he was all right.
It was only the,.,sick, idiotic and insane
and those unable to work who were ILL.,
treated.
At this point the committee decided to
go into executive session to examine the
testimony already taken. The next pub
lie hearing will probably not be until next
week.
The special committee appointed by the
legislature to ascertain the condition of
business have completed their report,
They find that with diligence on the part
of the committees, and faithful attend
ance of all the members at the daily
sessions of the legislature that this
general assembly can finish all business
now before 1t and adjourn by June 1, or
soon after.
The investigation by the committee
shows that 698 matters will have to- be
acted upon, but about 300 are simple mat
ters of incorporation.
Inquiries among committees show that
eleven committees have finished their bust
ness. The others have 416 matters before
them, most of which are ready to be re-
ported upon. The dates fixed by these
committees for completing their work are:
Agriculture, May 10; appropriations, May
21; banks, May 10; capitol furniture and
grounds, fisheries, manufactures and sale
of land, school fund and forfeited rights,
May 5; constitutional amendments House,,
May 20; education and temperance, May
h