Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-01-05
GOVERNOR NORRIS MESSAGE.


The first message of Governor Morris
will be carefully read, and its readers will
find it worth reading. They will also find
it uncomuonly we'll written. The new
governor had clear idea of what he
wanted to say, and he has said 1t in
clear, direct and forcible way.
His argument for a revision of the con-
sttution is strong one, and he speaks of
the election of the executive officers of
the State by majority vote as one who
knows something about the working of
the part of the constitution which pro-
vides for that He points out that in
forty of the forty-four States of the
Union a plurality vote elects, and that
even in this State a plurality vote elects
the presidential electors, members of con-
gress, State senators and representatives,
sheriffs and judges of probate. 1t has
for some time been evident that the move
menS for a revision of the constitution
was gaining strength. 1t will receive
| new impetus from Governor Morris able
and thorough argument in its favor.
~
| the county commissioner business, which
has been investigated and reported upon
| by a commission which made report that
cost about four dollars word, and was
worth less than four cents word. Gov
ernor Morris thinks the county commits
sioners should be elected by the people,
and that provision should be made in the
law providing for their election for minor
ity representation, because the power
given to county commissioners is too abso-
lutte to be intrusted entirely in the hands
of any one party. 1t is evident that some
thing should be done to remedy the evils
of tie present system, but it may fairly be
doubted If the election of commissioners
by the people would do it. The whole
matter is a very difficult and complicated
one, and it is probable that under any sys,
tenn very much the same abuses that are
now complained of would be found.
All good citizens will heartily commend
what the governor says cnueer pnrity
in electto ms and purity in legislation. The
"lobby" does much useful and intelligent
work in legislation, and it does not alway'
do that which is evil. But 1t needs watch
ing and proper restraint.
AS trustee for many estates, Governor
Morris has had occasion to know the in
convenience and danger of the method O.
taxing bonds, etc by the State. He il
quite right in what he says concerning 1t
. s'Trustees of estates, who may bs unde
heavy bonds for the safety of their trusts
are obliged to carry large amounts of bond
to the Office of the treasurer from distan
parts of the State, and oftsntimes to leav
them for many days before they can b
stamped and returned. The treasure
could not be held responsible in case of tn
loss of bonds, and he has no suitable place II
which to keep 80 large an amount. Th
transportation of such large amounts Q
/. bonds from place to place offers gres
opportunity for robbery to be committed.
The law would undoubtedly be more effics
= cious if it were not for the objectionabl
requirement for the presentation of tn
bonds to be stamped. The Governor ask
. "Why would it not be better to allow
person to make duplicate lists of sue
bonds and chooses, describing the same E
that they could be easily identified, NAL
oath to the same, and send such lists to Il
treasurer of the State; the treasurer, upo
payment of the tax, keeping one copy Q
file in his Office and receipting the 9th
and returning it to the person making
as an evidence of the payment OF Il
taxa" 1t would be very much better, 81
would save a lot of unnecessary worr
danger and expense, and would result
an increase in the revenue. The Governol
suggestion tn at the taxes collected in tt
way might very properly be returne
wholly or in part, to the towns from whi
they come is just one.
Clear thought, clear expression, comm
sense and fairness are conspicuous
through the message. 1t is strong doc
ment, and, except perhaps the part dealt
with the revision of the constitution, "
find general approval. And even that p
will be more generally approved than
would have been two years ago.