The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-02-27
THE CONVENTIONS DOlNGS
ANOTHER "TEST TOTE' TAKENsAI
 YESTERDAY'S SESSION

some Think It indicates That n Majority | ofthe Delegates Do Not Now Support the Town Equality ldea-AnOth ex Representation Resolution Offered. | The significant feature of the early
 part of yesterdays session of the con | stitutional convention in Hartford was a test vote which is regarded by several
 as indicating that the town equality idea is not now supported by majority of the delegates.
 When the convention got ready for
 business MT. Osborn of New Haven
 called attention to the small number of
 delegates present Tuesday, as shown by the yea and nay vote, and he suggested that the roll call be taken. The call
 showed 124 delegates In their seats. At
 MT. Osborns further suggestion it was
 agreed that hereafter morning roll call shall be feature of the sessions.
 Mir. Warner of Salisbury offered a
 resolution providing for the appoint
 ment of a committee to draft an article
 of the proposed constitution on the sub
 ject of representation, embodying the
 principles already favorably passed up
 on by the committee of the whole and
 make report.
 MT. Maltby of Granby moved that the
 committee consist of five members, and
 Mir Hall of Wilmington moved to amend
 by making the number of members
 eight.
 A protest against the proposed action
 was entered by MT, Waller of New Lon
 don, who said that it would remove all
 hope of increased representation in the house of representatives for the more populous centers. Mir. Waller said he believed a large number of delegates favored some recognition of the needs of the cities, and he called attention to the fact that Tuesday MT. Warner had favored giving extra representatives to New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford and Waterbury.
 At the suggestion of Delegate Waller, MT. Warmers resolution was withdrawn and one which MT. Merritt of Stamford offered Tuesday and afterwards with drew was put In as substitute. This resolution was as follows:
 That in the judgment of the conven
 
 en increased representation in the house, so that the material interests may receive adequate attention.
 An amendment striking out the words "so that their material interests may receive adequate attention" was offer ed by MT 'Northrop of Middletown and accepted by MT. Merritt.
 MT. Loomis of Glastonbury moved to indefinitely postopne the resolution and year and nay vote was ordered on the motion, Mr. Perry of Fairfield rose to speak, but President Andrew sustained point of order raised by MT. Maltbie that MT Perry was out of order. A discussion on the parliamentary stand ing of MT Perry followed, and after wards President Andrews reversed his ruling.
 Further discussion was followed by vote on the resolution to indefinitely postpone. This vote resulted: Yeas 61, nays 70, absent and not voting 37 This vote was regarded as of importance as indicating that majority of those present were not committed to the prin- ciple of town equality in the house.
 MT. Warner of Salisbury moved as an amendment to the Merritt resolution the addition of the words "so that their aterial interests as large municipal may be adequately repre- sented."
 MT. Etherdge of Thomaston offered | another amendment which after recit- | ing that the committee of the whole l had already passed upon the principle | of town representation, considering the | magnitude of the interests of the larger | cities, give additional representa- lives as follows: New Haven three, l Hartford and Bridgeport two each, and | one.
 MT. Warner said the Etheridge amendment meant that the four larger cities would be taken care of. He mov- 1 d that in addition the town of Norwich l should be given one additional repre- { 
 MT. Miner of Plainfield declared that Nr, Warner appeared to be taking back water. MT. Miner said he would rather lee the Vance resolution adopted than he pending one. Let's have something 'easona ble," he said; something that involves a principle. Lets not keep backing and filling and swapping lorses'
 MT Holcomb of Southington admit ed that while he had at first been in avor of the town equality principle. he vas convonced that the idea would not 'e endorsed by the people at the polls. ie urged the small town delegates to rot treat the matter lightly, but to do that would safeguard the in- erests of the large cities. He express q hope that provision may be enl- odied in the constitution so that here fter constitutional conventions can nly be called by a vote of two-thirds f each house and the affirmative vote f the people.
 Mr. Vance of New Britain thought it