New-York tribune., 1902-02-02
TOPICS IN CONNECTICUT
PLANS FOR TOWN REPRESENTATIONS
SAFEGUARDING FACTORY EN-
PLOYES-TO Use VOTING
MACHINES.

Hartford Conn Feb. 1 (SpeciaD.-For the first
week since its getting together, the constitutional
Convention seems to be approaching a condition
for actual work. and vote is expected next week
or the first part OF the week after The general
drift of the leading minds of the convention has
been for the last few days toward what is known
as the Bennett plan introduced by Charles Hop
kins Clark the delegate from this city. This plan
provides for one representative from every town of
less than 5000 inhabitants. of which there are 1874;
for every town of at least $3.50 and less than
5000 Of which there %: three for every town
with 1900 and less than 900 four for every town
with 5000 and less than $4,000. five from every
town Of 5000 and less than 10000 of which there
three. and six from towns having population
in excess Of 10000. of which there is one-New-
Haven. This would mean a House of Representa-
tives Of 225 members somewhat smaller than the
present house would still preserve town autonomy
and give to the larger towns more power. while
taking materially from the small towns, An
enlarged Senate based population is the chief
thing to remedy the real condition that has called
the convention into being. During the week many
Of the speeches have been tending in this direc-
ton. notably those of John II. Perry, of Fairfield;
Lewis Sperry of South Windsor; d. Ward North
rop of Mddletown, and some others. Ex-Chef
Justice Andrews, president of the convention made
an address in committee Of the whole Thursday,
in which he made an historical analysis of the in
hcrent rights of the towns and Of the opinion
that it would he unwise to change materially the
right of towns to be represented In the legislature
He favors Senate based on population. 1t is the
generally expressed opinion that the of the
convention will be for the Bennett plan for
some modification Of it.. No other plan has been
seriously favored by many of the leading
of the body.
II. s. Frye Of the New-EnEIaud Tobacco Grow
ers' Association. has resigned from its presidency
because OF its disagreement with the stand he has
taken on the Cuban tariff tobacco. In his letter
to Secretary Hardin of the association Mr.. Frye
says: II know that every reason demands that the
United States should demand control of the market
Of Cuba and Know the only way to do so is to
open our markets to her sugar and tobacco prod
ucts at reasonable rate of duty" He says every
dollar he has is tied up and dependent upon the
prosperity of the New England leaf tobacco in
terest. and that he has consented drop his con-
tention for one rate OF duty only Havana to-
hacco, and. In Difference alarm over the possible
competition Of Cuban tent tobacco. urge retention
of two rates all imported leaf. There is no
doubt that in this matter he represents the more
turning their attention to tent grown SumatIa
Mr. Frye has been a useful man to the tobacco
growers of the State. probably none more So and
MS RESIGNATION will undoubtedly have effect
TL IN eKorlS in1de IN their behalf in Washington.
, lne iacd Is that the growers Of field tobacco OF
Of this region
George l. Mclean State Factory Inspector. has
sent his annual report to the Governor and it has
been published 1t has to do with the condition of
@ e naheShops OF the STATE in regard TO their ven
Improvement under the law. which prescribes
factories I'm the Sfata frI, l - ~
has been more promptly attended to and elevators
are better and safer than they formerly. lie
along the lines OF elevator protection greatly to
I@he @ benefit OF the machinery OF that kind in the
state The report on the increased use Of cleo
trlclty as a motive power shows that this method
shops, but is gaining in larger shops The nnova-
ton In power making machines is the installation
Hartford Electric Light Company which has been
very successful from an points Of view. In Nor
Il of ron
bids fair to he successful commercially.
The selectmen Of the town Of Hartford have re-
ment the poli9e dstrcts oF th t,' & IN '2gr ] ]}4ds
equipped with voting machines, and have recon- /
mended the purchase Of fifteen Of the machines ror
use at the coming election It is probable that the
b i0n VIII 9f machine AFFAIR The force favoring
organized labor interests. which strongly I'm
made positive movement in the direction Of pre-
senting candidates for the Council AT the cleo
voting they prefer. Speaking of this the plan !
known as the Economic League which Is holding
meetings In sections all over the city. and least
once week in general session The leaders Of the
m0ytment do not say that candidate FOR Mayor
Of the Counc for the pnrposa Of brcar tis m ,oo TIns
government The new City Hall idea is not ia
necticut River bridge is one Of the early % thngs
fhhey hey d WaHt 70 see aGGompfhed As the building OF
sion appointed by authority Of the State it is not
party can have upon the matter; except that Of
pressure. The fact is the commission is just as
anxious to build the bridge as any other body Of
business men but it has been slow matter TO get
all things I'm readiness and to decide upon
feasible plan. The commission reports the |
Council in the course Of a few weeks. a matter
Of form. The city has little to do with the matter
anyway. except that 1t will be called upon to pay
much the greater share of the expense,
The committee the new city Han has re-
ported In favor OF building the present site
and the report is on the table Of the Council wait
ing for action. This must be presented to the
people for vote before II can he settled that a |
new City Hall is to be built. and indications are |
people I'd
10 it. and that II would be heavily defeated at the
polls.