The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-01-30
CON VENTION SPEECHES.
SEVERAL DELEGATES EXPRESSED
 THEIR VIEWS YESTERDAY.

MT. Clark of Haddum FavorR a Conn
 promise on Question of Representa-
 tion-ExpInnation Offered by Dele
 gate Waller.
 The constitutional convention was called to order at il o'clock yesterday forenoon by President Andrew and af- ter prayer by Chaplain Brown of Bloomfield the convention went into committee of the whole with ex-Gov- ernor Waller in the chair
 MT. Bissell of Suffield made the open- ing speech of the day. He recalled that forty-four towns had voted for the convention and 124 against. Taking up the subject of town representation, he objected to the single representative plan, as it would deprive the larger places, including his own town of Suf- field, of part of the representation they now enjoy. As to the senate he fay bred it's election as a popular body, with one senator for 18,000 or 10000 of population. In conclusion he endorsed the resolution of Delegate Waller of New London for a clause in the consti- tuition prohibiting special legislation.
 Delegate Clark of Haddam was the next speaker. He described the six propositions which he had presented in relation to representation, saying that his last proposition was substantially the plan proposed by MT. Clark of Hartford
 
 Tt is that plan" he said, except for the fact that I changed the number of population, adopting two representa- tives for each town of over 1,500
 At conference in New Haven last week, at which Delegates Osborn, Webb, Davenport and myself were present, by request, I took the plan which I re- ferred to and laid it before these gen tlenen. The plan was thoroughly dis cussed in all its bearings, and they agreed if we, the towns, would come to that agreement they would meet us on this half way ground. In fact, the ground is more than half way over to us. The question is whether we will make an concessions or not. I had no power to offer anything. Now, my brethren, my advice is that we accept this compromise. It is a fair one as be- tween contending forces, and l fully be- lieve that if accepted it will end the strife for this century. Please note the result: Seventeen cities and towns have 47 representa- lives and 151 towns have 240; the towns have 1S7 majority and ought to take care of themselves. We also agreed to one more thing, viz: To make the number in the senate 36, just as it is now. If you do not wish to adopt this compromise I shall cheer fully go into my hole and go to work again."
 MT, Clarks observation that the con- yention, in the matter of representa- ton, appeared to be between the devil and the deep sea, provoked a general smile throughout the hall. T don't know where we're at,'' he exclaimed, and the convention laughed again.
 Telling of going to New Haven last week for conference with MT. Osborn and others, he said: T went down to New Haven to meet the devil in his den." Laughter.) MT. Clark explained that this conference resulted in his pre- senta tion of his resolution providing for additional representatives for towns above 1,5O0 population, on the basis of population, New Haven getting six. But" said MT. Clark "I don't propose to hustle around and rupture myself for any plan"
 Mir Fisk of Branford, interrupting called attention to the provision of the resolution giving one representative to | 1 300, and two to 15000. This requires 800 for the second representative, | Where's the equality in this
 Mr. Clark--I guess shall have to call | on my friend, MT Clark of Hartford. | Somebody must get me out of this | scrape some way. (Laughter)
 In the course of Delegate Clarks | speech Chairman Waller called Dele | gate Guilfoile of Waterbury to the | chair and then retired, in order to ad- | dress the committee later.
 Delegate Waller of New London then | took the floor. He alluded to the speech ! made Tuesday by Delegate Sperry of , South Windsor in which he spoke of | statutory propositions which had been 'sneaked" into the convention by Del | egate Waller and others. In reply, MT. | Waller after expressing his friendship | for the delegate from South Windsor, | said his purpose in desiring restrictions placed on special legislation was not to increase but to reduce the number of He was simply trying to protect the public interests "There has been no sneaking of bills in here | by me or by anybody else" he added.
 Mir. Etheridge of Thomaston address ed the convention for fifteen minutes.