The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-02-06
TO VOTE NEXT TUESDAY.
STATE CONVENTION TO TAKE AC-
 TION ON REPREsENTATIO

State Mayors Assoctatton-one for
 Municipal Ownership of Public Utilt-
 ties, the Other for Uniform Charters.
 Hartford, Feb. 5--The constitutional convention was called to order to-day by President Andrews at Il o'clock Prayer was offered by Chaplain Smith He made tender alusion to the flame swept city of Waterbury.
 The principal feature of to-day's ses- sion was the decision to take vote on the question of representation next Tuesday at D. m.
 MT. Waller of New London submit ted to the convention two memorials from the Connecticut Mayors associa- tion. One of them urges constitu- tionaI provision confirming the right of municipalities to own and operate public utilities, especially lighting plants. The other was in favor of uni form city charters.
 MT. Clark of Eaddam introduced @ resolution for the retention of the present house of representatives,
 MT. Charter of Ellington introduced resolution which was tabled. It was as follows:
 That the delegates from the various counties resolve themselves into eau cuses; that the caucuses of each county so formed elect three delegates to what may be known as q general caucus; that said general caucus prepare and submit to the committee of the whole for action a substitute for article III of the present constitution as it relates to the legislative department"
 At 11:15 the convention went into the commit tee of the whole with MT. Perry in the chair
 MT. Coe of Cromwell urged that a vote be taken before adjournment to- morrow.
 MT. Warner of Salisbury introduced the following resolution:
 That a vote upon resolution file, No 7, providing for equality of town representation be taken on Tuesday, the 11th of February, 1902, at o'clock in the aftrenoon."
 He urged it's passage.
 MT. Davenport offered a substitute resolution but it was decided that it was not properly before the house.
 MT. Vance of New Britain did not think that any vote should be taken in the committee of the whole, but in the convention.
 Mir Braun of Norwich moved as an amendment that at D. m. next Tues day the committee proceed to vote on the question of representa-
 Mr. Hall of Wilmington endorsed the Warner resolution and thought the first step to be taken was to determine it's general principle of equality or in- equality of town representation.
 MT. Braun of Norwich made a further plea against giving preference to any particular resolution at this time and he urged the passage of his amendment to the Warner resolution.
 MT. Clark of Haddam introduced a substitute resolution providing that every town be allowed at least one rep resentative in the house. The chair ruled that the resolution was in order.
 MT. Guilfoile of Waterbury pleaded for the appointment of committee. MT. Davenport's amendment for a committee was then defeated. Dele gate Braun's amendment that vote
 
 the general question of representation was also defeated. Delegate Warmers motion for vote on the town equality proposition at p. m. next Tuesday was then carried by an overwhelming ] majority.
 MT. Ford of North Branford, (Mr. Sperry of South Windsor in the chair) then made a speech in favor of the a in lot several resolutions. At the conclusion of his remarks recess was taken until | 2 p. m.
 After recess MT. Merritt of Stamford | took the floor He spoke about the | state of mind exhibited by MT. Hale of l Portland in his remarks on Tuesday | when he said that all the delegates | should come to the convention with | preconceived idea and had ought to | hold fast to that idea He said that | this ought not to be very popular and | that a compromise would apparently be necessary. He said that the most revo- lutionary action the convention could take would be to cut down the house l and make large senate which would | be antagonistic to the house.
 MT. Bryant of Orange spoke in favor Ot a compromise. ne IdNOIou the b61l- nett plan.
 MT. Grinsmade of Washington spoke for larger senate and was sure that the cities would accept a house made up of one representative from each town with more representation in the senate.
 MT. Dempsey of Danbury requested MT. Davenport to express his opposi- ton to an increase in the senate, to which the latter consented
 Then MT. Davenport in reply to a question by MT. Chandler of Thompson as to what plan the people would ratify said that it would be either the Osborn plan, the Bennett plan or one of MT. CIark's (1addam) numerous plans.
 MT. Holcomb of Southington and MT. Clark of Haddam then submitted plans providing for at least one representa- tive from each town.
 Adjournment was then taken until Ii o'clock to- morrow.