The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-05-21
THE SUCCESSION TAX BILL
SENATE PASSES THE MEASURE BY
A VOTB OF 13 To7.

ney General Act Passed the Upper House
Conference on "Good Roads" Bill
Money for the Mutes-Other Matters in
Both Branches.
Both branches Of the general assem-
bly, We're exceedingly busy yesterday.
A greater number of bills were passed
in the senate than upon any day Of the
session, the senators working until 4 p.
m. without recess. Several important
measures received the sanction Of ths
upper house.
A resolution validating all appoints
ments of the governor that are requir-
ed to be made before the rising Of the
present general assembly was passed.
Senator Warner explained that the res
olution was in accordance with the
| wishes of the chief executive, as there
had been an act passed fixing the date
of such appointments before May l.
Senator Woodruff moved that a COM
| mittee of one senator and two repre-
sentatives be appointed to recall from
the secretary Of states office the bill
| relating to registrars of vital statistics.
Senator Woodruff was appointed. He
| was also appointed on q similar COM
mittee to recall a bill relating to the
registration of marriages and Deaths
| The rules were suspended and the res
olutions were Immediately transmitted
| to the house.
| House resolution reimbursing the
town Of Orange for the care Of a, ,sol-
| dier was passed. The subject Of the
| resolution is julius s. Merwin, a vet-
eran Of Company I, Twentieth regi-
| ment, Connecticut Volunteers. Mr..
Merwin is now an inmate Of the Sol
diers home at Noroton.
House joint resolution Incorporating
the Twentieth Century company OF
Stamford was passed.
| The Stamford Corinthian Yacht club
was also incorporated.
| House joint resolution comforting up
on the heirs of Joseph Cassidy the right
to appeal from the probate Of his will
was taken UP and explained by Senator
Warner in support Of the report Of the
judiciary committee.
Senator Marigold thought If the reso-
luton passed it would jeopardize all
property rights. If after lapse Of
seven years, when an estate has passed
+ into the hands Of other parties, appel
lants may come to the general assem-
bly, and have a case reopened, there
could be no certainty Of retaining prop
erty after 1t is purchased.
Senator Herman opposed the resolu-
ton and Senator Woodruff spoke in fa-
vor Of it.
The resolution passed almost unani-
mously, Senators Herman and Marigold
voting in the negative
House joint resolution authorizing
the governor to appoint a COMMITTEES
to inquire into all matters relating to-
state receipts and expenditures was
passed.
Senator Warner called up the sue
cession tax bill imposing tax on all
estates over $4,000, passing by will or
the inheritance laws Of " of per cent.
if passing to lineal heirs, and 8 per
cent if to collateral heirs, strangers to
| the blood, or to corporations, associa-
tions or societies. Every estate must
be inventoried, and the tax shall ba
paid by the executor or administrator.
Senator Warner said that one benefit
of the bill will be that every estate
must be fully spread on the records, as
valuable information for the assessors.
The constitutionality Of the law cannot
be questioned. 1t taxes only the rights
of privileges Of the living to take prop
erty. Heirs have no natural right to
| take anything; only such rights as are
given by and defined by law or cus-
| tom.
| Senator Lake offered substitute bill
which provided that one-half mill tax
should be laid upon towns having a.
grand list of more than 100000. The
state treasurer to suspend its operation
if the money was not needed. He ar
gued that this would solve the revenue
difficulty The members Of this gener-
al assembly should dare to meet this
issue fairly and decide the matter Such
a law would place the state finances on
a sound basis.
Senator Brown attacked the success
sion tax in strong speech, making
the point that while 1t reached the es-
tate Of the tax dodger, 1t reached also
the estate of the man who had paid
full taxes. If such a law Is to be-
passed, it should provide for the ex-
emption of such property as has all
ways paid tax.
Senator Herman offered an amends
ment exempting $4,000 Of each estate
from the tax.
Senator Tuttle said the objection to
this bill comes from the few and not
the masses. The circumstances Of those
who oppose the measure is such as to
enable them to employ counsel Shall
we listen to their sophistry and become
the tools Of the wealthy and forget the
interests of the people? To legislate
for the greatest good to the greatest
number is the highest duty Of this or
any other general assembly. This
measure will reach property not before
disclosed.
A state tax as proposed by the sena-
tor from the Twenty-third district
would be unjust. 1t would impose a
burden upon the farmers who are un-
able to bear their already heavy bur-
den. Would you add to that poor wo-
mans burden state tax, and yet you
call this justice. Great God, deliver me
from participating in the enactment Of