New-York tribune., 1901-02-10
CONNECTICUT TOPICS.
NEW EFFORT MAKING FOR CONSTI-
TUTIONAL REFORM.
BILLS BEFORE THE LEGIsLATURE-THE IN.
CREASE OF PEACH GROWING IN
THE STATE.

Hartford Conn Feb (SpeciaD.-The Constitu-
tonal Reform Association has issued an address
to the people of the State favoring a revision OF
the Constitution, and at the same time mas pre-
sented bill 70 the Legislature providing for the
carrying forward of the work by submitting the
whole subject to the people. The bill contemplates
a by the people at the town meetings next
October TO whether they will have conVeh-
ton, and also election of delegates to sucn con-
vention to meet in January. 1902 1t is provided
that there shall be one delegate from each town
and twenty-four delegates from the State at large
1t is also provided any revision of the Con-
stitution the representation from each town shaI
be at least one for the lower house There is
speculation TO the fate of the BILL but
it would not be surprising 10 see the cities and
large towns force the measure through
The Legislature has had heavy week. few
bills general interest outside of the reso-
lutions of incorporation, are noted. bill to amend
the Corrupt Practices act. framed on the lines or
the original bill four years ago. has been brought
in. Its chief provision is that regulating the
amount of money each candidate may expend for
election expenses. a candidate for Governor is
limited to $500; for United States Senator. $780,
State Senator Mayor. 500. and all others are
cut down to $50. except that candidate for judge
Of probate for justice of the peace. the only
members of the judiciary elected by the people
shall expend nothing. Another bill is one re-es-
tablishng whipping a punishment for crimes
Offenders under sixteen years are to be mod
eTately whipped with a birch rod or strap
not to exceed twenty blows. a physician to be
present that permanent injury Is in
hicted. This punishment is made an alternate to
the confinement in the reform school until the age
Of twenty-one. Beating of women, kidnapping Of
minor children and the confirmed tramp are made
punishable by the lash. Adults may be punished
by the strap or ThP but u the he cat gIes p4e 1
the part of police court justices ana those VINO
have much 10 do with criminals of the classes
mentioned for the passage OF the act Inc WHIP
ping is all 10 be done privately
A bill which. if passed will entail heavy expense
upon the State. nut relieve towns good deal. Is
providing that textbooks for the public schools
all over the State snail be provided by the state
and distributed by officials of the State
The Connecticut Pathological Society held its
tenth annual meeting in this city on wednesday
and Thursday. The chief topic OF discussion was
the San Jose scale which has made Its appearance
pest in resolution for the Legislature but decided
rot ask for specific legislation, but To present
the facts the members at hearings TO be held
next month. ]. II. Hale. the Peach King. OF
in the State during the last ten years, in which
ne pointed that small fruit culture had de-
clined. berries having been driven out CONNER
cially by Southern impOrtatiOns. The peach INDUS
try, however has grown from 10000 trees in com
mercia orchards in 1880 100000 to-day, besides
a great many trees in private grounds The re-
denption OF waste hillsides and their conversion
into peach orchards has been one of the peculiar
features of this growth Connecticut to-day Is a
larger peach growing State than Delaware, and
crops have failed only in the ten years. Pears
have not prospered greatly. but there is revival
OF apple tree planting, and many new orchards
being out. New methods of packing and
marketing fruits have been introduced, and the
the making Of money. Good fruit has been the
Characteristic product OF the orchards.