New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
CONNECTICUT TOPICS.
MATTERS BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE
AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE

Hartford Conn. Jan. 2s (SpeciaD.-The General
Assembly has been in session three days this week
and there indications that the business before
will be pushed along rapidly. The date fixed for
business to be presented is February Is. and after
that nothing will be received The petitions filed
greater in number than at the session Of 1882 but
there are many of them TO be considered in the
lump, and thus they be more easily disposed Of
Some interesting bills have already been presented,
including to substitute electrocution for hang
ing In the administration Of capital punishment,
which will probably pass. Another bill provides
life penalty for kidnapping without regard TO the
circumstances and will probably be subject 20
amendment the crime of kidnapping. known
In this State. Is often the obtaining of children
by parent from another after the parents have
been divorced.
Senator Kenealy - brought in bill providing
explicitly that the of a killed in the
service OF corporation where danger Is apparent
can recover $500 If the death is painless.
This is because OF the decision OF Judge Wheeler
that there could be no recovery where there
suffering inflicted upon the person killed The
Supreme Court did not sustain the decision. but
the laws do not now explicitly provide for the re-
covery contemplated by the bill.
The little trouble over the acceptance OF the
chairmanship of the Committee of Finance by Mr..
Tucker, OF AnsOnia. has been smOothed over. and
after mutual explanations Mr.. Tucker has
cepted the place. He was not a seeker after that
particular charmanshp. and in accepting it said
that he did so under protest He Is an expert
enced legislator. and in the House has
more intimate knowledge of the financial needs OF
the State. a steering committee made up OF
Messrs King. of Windham: wadsworth of Farm
mgton. and Walsh. of Greenwich. has been ap-
pointed by the Republican caucus, and as these
men are leaders and energetic. il Is expected that
they will aid in pushing the business along rs
rapidly be done. The final resolution OF
the week was 10 adjourn until Tuesday ont OF
respect TO the memory of Queen Victoria An ad-
iOurnment taken for
There has been some little comment upon the
decidedly perfunetory character OF the action
The interesting feature OF the legislative session
thus far has been the meetings Of the New-Haven
and New-LOndon county caucuses for the election
of commissioners and judges. In both OF these
counties there was contest made upon the lines
OF the GOvernorship contest of last year. and in
both instances what is known the 'Fyler
forces won. although the fact remains that the
chairman of the Republican State Committee had
personal interest in the caucuses whatever. The
committee hearings. except in the case of two
contested elections. nave not begun yet. but
references have already been made and the bulletin
OF announcements will give notice OF the hearings
early the coming week.
One of the interesting developments Of the week.
aside from legislative political matters. has
been the transfer of the Union Mills property in
Manchester by Marc S. Chapman. OF that town.
The Union Mills have been idle for many years.
although the water power Is excellent one. but
has seemed to care to operate the prop
erty is one of the relics of the defalcations of
the late George NJ. Bartholomew. who it's
treasurer. when he wrecked the Charter Oak Life
Insurance Company and several other business
concerns with which he connected. Bar
tholomew fed to Canada. where he remained for
few years afterward returning to the State and
rendering himself. He served nominal term In
State prison. and while confined there did all In his
power to aid in the disentanglement Of the prop
critics he had wrecked He died in this city two
years ago. broken down man. Mr.. Chapman. who
comes into possession of the property is at the
head of the contracting firm which manufactures
the stamped envelopes for the United States Gov
ernment and 1t is expected that the plant win be
transformed into manila paper factory.
One Of the noted criminals Of the State has been
land the Cape verd T Islands @ He = has n'S served
TWO terms IN the prison. one of four years for
years an attempt 70 siT poiiee ofieer IN
M0sTsa Sss bssn kanwn n is and Is
possessed an ungovernable temper and was so
years OF his last term He was regarded as the
worst man nj % In prison BY some OF the wardens, and
privileges allowed him; Under his command he
thst If S Of @ NTH the
granted him he would be severely punished. He
freedom ne received He has a Wife and son In
turn to, them. it was deemed best 10 send him
noW an old ana lame me rom mhs n1 sf ne bd
strong and wiry. He sent by the State
return.
Judge Julius Atwood. who died IN East Haddam
on Wednesday. was the oldest member of the Mid
dleseN County bar. and man of unusual char
acteristics He Was In turn sailor. a merchant. n
school teacher In Maryland and Long Island. a
law student. and In later years a probate Judge
and an historian. No man was better known IN the
down-the-river towns. fte was the owner of the
cid Nathan Hale schoOlhouse. in East Hadaam,
which he transferred to the Societies of the Sons
OF the Revolution, and which was publicly dedi-
Gated to historical uses In June of last year. On
that occasion he gave an historical address. which
showed accurate knowledge of the progress OF the
community in which he had spent his life.
The Wadsworth Atheneum, at its annual meet
Ing. pointed out to the public of the many
advantages which 1t was supplying to the people
OF Hartford. 1t now has picture gallery of much