Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-01-04

number of people, by which, if they are so
disposed, they can deprive them of the
means of supporting their families. Such
a power is liable to abuse in the hands of
inscriptions persons, and especially when
at an approaching election, partisanship is
in the ascendant. l would, therefore, re-
commend that, in passing law providing
for the election of county commissioners
by the people, provision should be made
for minority representation.
cat the session of the general assembly
in 1889 an act was passed concerning cleo
tions, known as the ''secret ballot act.'
This law, while working beneficially in
many respects, has upon trial been found
to be defective, and there is need of fur
Their legislation to remove some of the
technicalities of the law to simplify it,
so that persons of ordinary intelligence
can readily understand its provisions"
"Our courts that construe the laws and
pass upon the different causes brought
before them. watch with jealous care all
improper influences that are brought to
bear upon the judges or jury. Any person
who should attempt to approach a judge
or juryman secretly, in order to influence
him in the discharge of his duty. would be
deemed guilty of an offense. Why should
not the same watchful care be exercised
by the members of the legislature who
make our laws ? The legislature is the
sources WQSHc0 our laws cOule, anu II LQe
source Is impure it follows that the laws
coming therefrom will be impure. The
influences that are often brought to bear
upon members of the legislature to procure
the passage of certain measures would not
be tolerated in any court of justice
Why should they be tolerated in the body
that makes the laws There should be
some legislation to prevent any undue ap-
proach to any member of the legislature
in 10
CAT the general assembly of 1889 an act
was passed providing that any person may
take OF send to the office of the treasurer
of this state any bond, note, or other chose
| in action, and may pay a state tax thereon,
etc. Why should it not be better to allow
person to make duplicate list of such
| bonds and chooses, describing the same so
that they could be easily identified, make
oath to the same, and send such lists to
the treasurer of the state; the treasurer,
upon payment of the tax, keeping one
| copy on file in his office, and receptng
the other and returning it to the person
making it. as an evidence of the payment
of the tax? The present method, requir-
ing bonds and chooses 20 the Office of the
treasurer is very objectionable. Ought
not the tax collected by the state treasurer
on such bonds and chooses to be refunded,
| wholly or in part, to the towns where t e
owners of the same reside.
| ST call your attention to the necessity for
further legislation in regard to grade cross
ings of railroads with highways. The num-
Der of deaths at these crossings has be-
come alarming. 1t is an increasing dan
ger, for the reason that the demands of
business require more frequent trains and
greater speed.
commissioners have been appointed by
the states of New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania. Massachusetts, Delaware,
Georgia, Mississippi and Michigan, for the
purpose of promoting uniformity of legs-
lation throughout the United States. II
would be great convenience to the peo-
| pie if the laws relative to the execution of
deeds, wills and other conveyances; laws
relative to descent, distribution, domicile
marriage and divorce, probate of wills, in.
solvency and some others, could be uni
form in all the states. I would recon-.
mend that three commissioners be appoint.
ed by Connecticut to join with the com
missioners appointed by other states fol
the purpose of accomplishing this very de
sirable object"
In conclusion Judge Morris called at
tention to the fact that no legislation ha(
been taken relative to the Worlds fair a
Chicago; recommended an appropriation
for the typographical survey of the state
and called attention to the fact that tn
direct tax paid by this state to the Unite'
States government during the late war
amounting to about $261 900, and whicl
congress has voted to refund, is now read
to be repaid as soon as some person
, authorized by the legislature to receive ant
receipt for the same, pursuant to the &C
, of congress.