New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-05
CONNECTICUT UNDER var AGAIN.


CONNECTICUT UNDER var AGAIN.
The inaugural message Of Governor Morris,
the new Democratic Governor OF Connecticut,
is Il model in one respect Instead OF follow
ing the custom Of making rehash OF the re-
ports Of the various departments OF the state
Government, concerning which he cannot be
supposed to have any official knowledge upon
his induction into Office he refers the Legls-
lature to the reports themselves and proceeds
ut once to the consideration OF such subjects
as in his Judgment deserve the attention OF the
lawmaking b. dy. AS might be expected under
tho circumstances, he devCtes consider able
space to the question of Constitutional Con-
vention, that being the State issue which his
party made most prominent IN the late cam
paign, and the one upon which 1t Is apparently
most united The chief defects in the present
Constitution from the Democratic point OF view
arc: first. the requirement OF majority OF
the popular vote for the election of State
officers. through the operation OF which the
deadlock in the Legislature resulted which has
lasted for two wears: and, second, the system
Of town representation in the House, under
which it is contended that the cities and large
legislation and the small agricultural and
manufacturing towns enjoy undue influence ana
pow,r II is further cOntended that the otato
has so outgrown its organic act, and all inc
conditions have 50 changed since its adoption,
that single amendments by the ordinary course
Of procedure would be only temporary paia-
tiycs. INADEQUATE TO the end in view, and that
nothing short Of Il Constitutional Convention
and thorough revision will serve.
Il NAV be sad for Governor Morris preSenta-
ton of the argument that IL Is terse ana clear,
strongly put and reasonably free from par
ti,anShip. There is no complaint OF the IN
Justice Of the operation Of the constitutions!
provision by which he as the choice OF put
raty If the voters two years ago, was de-
barred the Office OF Governor; nor does he
indulge in angry rhetorical defamation against
the inequaIitie, in representation, although he
does intimate in Il sad solt OF way that popular
government in Connecticut is in great danger
of coming to naught unless somethln9 Is done
10 remedy these evils. Doubtless the question
f a Constitutional Convention will be brought
forward at an early day III accordance WIN the
Governors recommendation and the policy OF
his pariy when there will be full discussion
Of the allie ged abuses and proposed remedies.
The instincts of the Connecticut people are
conservative; they cling With god deal OF
tcnacity 10 their old systems and Cd ways
v.rhap, sometimes even after they have mani
fcsily OutglOWn them, aud they VIII not lake
the ,ttp Of ordering convention 10 flame Il
new Consultation except after the most thor
ouph discussion and careful consideration. That
there are inequalities in representation under
the existing Constitution will not be denied
but they are quite as likely to adopt the course
# rrmedying these by single amendments and
the ordinary procedure Is To take the RISKS
involved in Constitutional Convention and an
cntiiely new departure. The argument Tor
popular representation in the House is plau-
,ibe bnt spccous. Representation according u
!. paaion i. now the rule in the senate, though
ihsre are manifest inequalities in lis operation.
The real question with the Connecticut voter
is whether it is desirable 10 change system
which makes the town the unit Of representa-
ton 10 one which bases approximation Oh poPu-
lation purely, and makes the individual the
unit
The new state Government having now been
fairly launched and the Legislature having re-
snmed It's functions after tWo years suspension
the people Of Connecticut will have al OPP
por,unty 10 form an Intelligent opinion As TO
the advantage or disadvantage of frequent
legislative sessions. The wheels OF legislation
have been idle now for nearly four years.
There have been incOnyenieRcc>, OF course, re-
sultjng from conflict of authority in the state
,epartments. but these have been met by
prompt and intelligent action on the part OF
tho acting Governors SD that the only real
derivation has been of the exercise OF the
legislative function. No new laws have been
made mr. any old one, repealed FIR mare than
three wears The State and the people seem
TO have got along very well, however, with
The old statutes and in the Old way. $50
well. ind ed that thoughtful citizens may well
ask themselves the question whether, on the
whole. Il r,>tful period of four years Is not as
good as or better than the law tInkerng and
Iubbyng that como with annual or biennial
sessions. During the next four or five months
they will be able to find ont whether the Legs
latuic i, IN unmiNod blessing.