The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-05-15
LEGISLATIVE DOINGS.
NFEsTIGATI0N OF PRESENT
 FEE SYSTEM.

Work Progressing but Introduction of
 Salary system Not Likely This ses-
 sion-Contest over Appointment of
 Trustees of Norwich Insane Hospital
 Interest in Purchase of EIdridge
 Civil War Relies. a-5
 Hartford. May 14.-The joint special
 committee, consisting of Senator Arthur L. Clark of Winsted and Representa- lives William H. Warner of Wood bridge and Frederick A. Scott of Ply mouth. having the investigation of the fee system in the offices of town clerks, judges of probate. sheriffs and courts of common pleas in the state in charge, have made considerable progress. The town clerks were taken up at the out set, specific inquiries having been sent to them for reply. Most of the town clerks in the state have replied. In a few cases the respondents have tried to dodge the real issues, furnishing made quate and misleading information. These men will be called to the Capitol in due time, where their noses will be held to the grindstone under the aus pices of the committee, which was au- thorized by the legislature to send for persons and papers. The judges of pro- bate, sheriffs and courts of common pleas will be asked for the information that is needed as soon as the town clerks are through with. The commit tee's report will be submitted to the ju- dietary committee and will form the ba- sis in the end for substituting the sala- ried for the free system in the offices under inquiry. It is doubtful if the ne- cessary law can be formulated and en- acted at this session of the legislature, but the work will be well started for the legislature of 1907. The agitation in re gard to the fee system will not be dropped during the coming two years. It has been cultivated and rooted deep ly by the present general assembly.
 Senator Everett J. Lake, of Hartford, who tabled the resolutions several weeks ago, appointing B. c. Patterson of Torrington. Charles A. Capen of Will limantic and G. s. Palmer of Norwich trustees of the Connecticut Agricultural college, said yesterday that he will call them up next week for action. It is known that Senator Lake was in favor of the appointment of Martin M. Fris- bic of Southington, a graduate of the in- stitution, on the board in place of one of the men recommended by the commit- tee on senate appointments, consisting of Senators Otis A. Smith, Reuben s. Bartlett and Alfred A. Doty. It is cur rent the president Rufus w. Stinson, of the college, Is not in favor of the ap- pointments that have been recommend ed, and itsis apprehended that llds hand has been active in the long tie up of the resolutions. J. H. Hale of Glastonbury has been openly opposed to the reap pointnent of Trustees Capen and Pat terson. Much interest is felt in the en- tanglement as 1t stands at present. The appointments of trustees of the hospi- tai for the insane at Norwich have been kept in the same branch for weeks, with the Agricultural college trustees. The outgoing members of the board are ex- State Treasurer Henry H. Gallup, J, Dening Perkins of Lftchfeld, Eugene H. Burr of Middletown and ex-Senator Ed win c. Pinney of Stafford. The name that was dropped out in the committee { shuttle was MT. Burr's. One of Middle towns democratic leaders, MT. Camp bell was substituted against the pro- test of Senator Bartlett, who represents the best interests of Norwich in urging the retention of MT. Burr on the board. He is eninently qualified for the work contemplated by the Norwich hospital, and his loss would be deeply felt by the board itself Senator Bartlett has left nothing undone that can ensure Trus- tee Burr's reappointment. What the outcome will be in settling these impor- tant trusteeshfps cannot at this time be outlined. Politics alone are concerned in the appointment of MT. Campbell. Senator Franklin H. Mayberry of East Hartford is member of the Norwich hospital board and a staunch republi. can He is not in favor of the introduc- tfon of democratic agencies in deciding on the successor of MT. Burr, one of the most competent representatives of the state on the board of trustees.
 There is great interest felt in the pur- chase by Connecticut of the EIdridge collection of civil war relics. The col lection has been made by James w. FL dredge of Hartford, who began the work forty years ago. It has occupied a large place in the civil war interests in Hartford, and is without doubt the most interesting private collection of the kind in this country. The idea of the purchase originated with the Hon. H. Wales Lines of Meriden, whose pa triotism and public services have al, ways been on the right side. He has been backed in the project by ex-Gover- nor Chamberlain, Senator George Es Bicknell, men of decided public spirit
 The measure authorizing the purchase was introduced in the senate by Senator Bicknell and referred to the committee on Capitol furniture and grounds, of which Senator Whitney of New Haven is one of the leading members. Senator Edward T. Coe, of Torrington, is the senate chairman. This committee will
 visit the residence of MT EIdredge be. fore deciding on it's report, making an examination of the treasures contained in the collection. The veterans of the civil war who are members of the gen.