Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-01-04
GOVERNOR MORRIS.
ORGANIZATION OF THE SENATE AND
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

| A Great Military Pageant in Honor ofthe ]
Event-Governor Morris Tells of Exist
ing Evils and the Need of Constitutional
Revision.
HARTFORD, Jan 4-The senate came
in shortly after 10 o'clock this morning
with Secretary of State Walsh in the
chair. Prayer was offered by Rev
Willis H. Stone of Hartford.
| After the oath of office had been ad-
ministered ballot was taken for clerk
and on strict party vote Charles w.
Comstock of Montville, the democratic
candidate, received 10 votes, and Ed
ward G. Hutchinson of Essex, the re-
publican candidate, 10. Senator Hol-
comb of the Second then arose and
stated that he desired to change his vote
from Hutchinson to Comstock. He ex
planned this action by saying the repub-
llcans had made a proposition to the
house looking to an equitable division of
the offices and although this proposition
had not been accepted, he was anxious
that there should be no deadlock
Senator Pierce of the Fourth
stated that the democratic men,
bers had considered that inasmuch
as their side would have a majority
when the senate was organized and as
the people would hold them responsible
for the doings of the senate, they de-
clded not to accept the proposition.
Clerk Comstock was sworn in and
ballot for president pro tenn resulted in
the choice of Holden of Ansonia, the
vote being thirteen for him and eleven
blanks. Doorkeepers and messengers
were then appointed according to
schedule, and the vote for joint COM
the choice of Fox, democrat, Pierce,
democrat, and Phelps, republican.
Then the senate notified the house that
it was ready for business.
Upon taking the chair Senator
Holden expressed his thanks for the
honor and said he hoped the troubles
of the last session would be carefully
avoided.
Some excitement was caused when it
was moved that a committee be ap-
pointed to bring Governor Buckley be-
fore the senate. The motion was
carried after a spirited discussion be-
tween Senators Pierce and Holden. A
, committee consisting of Messrs Cleve-
land and Brooks escorted Governor
Buckley into the chamber. He sub
mitted statement of the condition of the
state, which showed that nearly $780,
600 had been paid through his depart
ment owing to the trouble at the last
session.
The senate then adjourned until $50.
The house was called to order by ex-
Speaker Paige. A ballot for speaker re-
suited in Isaac w. Brooks of Torring-
, ton, republican, receiving 1873 votes and
George M. Gum of Milford, democrat,
1O6. In accepting the position Mr.
similar to that of Mr. Holden in the
senate. Andrew S. Gates of Hartford
was elected clerk; George A. Kellogg of
, Rockville, assistant, and Rev J. K.
Wheeler of Hartford, chaplain.
A committee on canvass of votes was
, elected and reported the returns as laid
l before the house correct.
The committee on contested elections
went into session Immediately after be-
4 ing appointed and heard the petitions
. of Daniel Hanrahan of Stamford and
D George w. Hall of Salem, after which
an adjournment was taken until 2:30.
3 At o'clock the inaugural ceremonies
\ were held.
i THE MILITARY PARADE.
The military parade this afternoon
was one of the most imposing ever
seen in Hartford, at the Inauguration OF
a governor. At $3.50 Governor Morris
: and staff appeared on the Hotel Heu bleiu
: steps. This was the signal for the whole
military command to present arms
a Governor Morris gracefully acknowledg
u ed the salute, and the column moved
followed by the gubernatorial party, tC
the capitol. The parade was witnessed
by thousands OF people who crowded the
% sidewalks along the line of march anC
Governor Morris was frequently greeted
with applause. The carriage which ht
, and Ex-Governor Buckley occupied wa.
drawn by four handsome bay horse.
" with cropped tails. AS the party ap
!, preached the capitol a salute of seven
u | in Ion
d Governor Morris Inaugural Address,
~ In his inaugural address Governor Nor
ris first re erred to the decayed constftn
ton of thu state, saying:
81 call your special attention to tn,
great need of constitutional convention
c. to revise the organic law of this state
10 was adopted during the stage coach era
> when the people we're generally engage.
n in agriculture and the population Of tn
1T state was much more evenly distributes
a, among the several towns than at present
y Their wants were similar, and the consti
tuition when adopted was suitable for thei
condition at that time. With the change
in pursuits and methods of business, Their
il has risen great inequality in the popula
a. ton of the several towns. If we are to re
Of tain popular government in Connecticut
Of the constitution should be so changed tina
or the votes of the people as cast on election
is day should have their full effect. 1t /
r. seldom that the executive officers of thi
state are those who have received a plural
y. ity of the peoples votes. In forty of tn
OF forty-four states of the union a plu
s. rality vote elects the state off
eli GERS. In every state admitted into tn
g. union during the present century plural
a ity vote elects. In this state pluralit
he vote elects the presidential electors, men
state
representatives, sheriffs and judges q
probate. No good reason can be show
why the executive officers of the stat
ra should not be elected by plurality vote
IS, In no other way can the votes of tn
in people be given their full effect. The la,
OF as it is, habitually works injustice. A la
le- that habitually works injustice cannot b
m respected. It may be obeyed because it
the law, but the whole moral effect of tn
law is lost when it cannot be respected 9
we'll as obeyed. 1 trust, therefore, ths
b. this general assembly will pass an az
&c calling q constitutional convention for III