The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-05-14
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
EXPECTED TO RUSH WORK ALONG
 THIS WEEK.

This Afternoons SeBsion-Some of the Im-
 portant Measures Which Are to Occupy
 the Legislature's Attention Tomorrow.
 Hartford, May 13.-Both branches of the legislature come in tomorrow af- ternoon at 12:SO Tuesdays session is always short, but by Wednesday the general assembly will be busily at work and big stride toward the closing of the session Is expected to be made this week. There are two special orders in the house on Wednesday. The resolu- tion proposing an amendment to the constitution concerning the election of state officers, favorably reported, will up for discussion at il a. m., and at noon the order is the resolution mak- dng highways state property, and ap-
 pointing commissioners; unfavorably reported by the judiciary committee. Both measures are likely to lead to in teresting and prolonged discussions.
 A resolution, which slipped through the house last Wednesday with but lit tie discussion ought to be killed in the senate. It provides setting over to the city of Willimantic portion of the property of the state normal school for a high school site. The measure was opposed by the state board of education. It will take very import ant strip of property from the normal fN |, rrtx, fy F16 Ifyt11 tf1 school district. It is claimed that there are plenty of good sites for a high school in Willimantic and the friends of the normal school object very stren- uously to the state parting with any portion of the school property, as the whole area is necessary for the we'll be- ing and prosperity of the school. There is an earnest hope that the senate will refuse to concur with the house in giv- ing this land to W1llimantic for a high school site.
 One of the most important of the pending measures is the favorable re- port of the committee on railroads re- lating to the Bridgeport grade cross ings It solves the problem of the tllirty-two grade crossings in that city and allows the Consolidated road to ex- pedite it's four-tracklng improvements. This has been the greatest embarrass- nlent to the four tracking between New ork and New Haven and has bean long delayed, owing to the failure of an agreement between the railroad and the city until solution of the matter was patched up before the committee or railroads.
 The details of the bill have been reported in full in the "Courier." The plan Is for the carrying on of the in- pTovements after the r3Itroli officials have agreed with the mayor of Bridge port concerning details. In any matter of disagreement the board of railroad commissioners are to decide, subject to appeal if desirable, to the superior court. It was necessary that there should be some responsible head on the part of Bridgeport and so the mayor was selected; but the mayors findings are not final if an appeal is deemed ad- visable. The leading Bridgeport busi- ness men favor the plan and there is mo doubt the bill will pass. They are as anxious as the railroad people to get rid of the troublesome and dan- gerous grade crossings which have re- tarded the growth and prosperity of Bridgeport.
 The testimony of prominent citizens of Bridgeport before the railroad com- mittee showed that this plan was the very best that had been recommended. It will cost in the neighborhood of $1,- 500,000 and calls for the elevation of the tracks, the building of new stations and a new dratwbridge. The measure is looked upon as of the fairest kind for both interests, because there are two boards of appeal for questions in dis pute-the railroad commission and the superior court.
 If the bill becomes a law the Consoli- dated road will begin the Improvements this coming fall. When this big job is out of the way it is expected the four track system between New York and New Haven will have been completed. The people of New Haven are particu- lar1y interested in the completion of these increased facilities on the main stem of the New Haven railroad sys- tenn. Friends of the measure say thatt it is one of the most important bills' which have come before this general as- semb1y and it should pass without op- position.