The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-02-21
LEGISLATURE COMMENTS.
IT, COY, WOODRUFF 4 FINE
 PRESIDING OFFICER.

Has Filled Governor Roberts Place
 Most atisfaetOriIy-ReView of Form
 CT Good Senate Leaders-Gates' Re-
 appointment as Commissioner Ex-
 pected--CommissIon on Trade Schools
 Has Not Yet Reported-Other Notes.
 Hartford, Feb. 2O.-As presiding off, cer of the Senate Lieutenant Governor RoIlin S. Woodruff of New Haven has shown great tact and versatility, ana his military bearing reminds, one of the handsome New Haven colonels' who served at the head of Connecticut reg iments back in the old war days. GOV ernor Roberts, who was the presiding officer two years ago, was as clean cut as a diamond, resourceful and lfnpar
 tial, and it was felt that his successor whoever he might be, would ind great difficulty in umpiring the senate game. But the new lieutenant governor mas met the highest expectations or ms friends and constituents. The hrst pre- siding officer in the present senate chamber was Lieutenant Governor Francis B. Loomis, of New London. The massive charter oak chair, which is one of the most elegant pieces Of furniture in the capitol, was filled by Lieutenant Governor Loomis with ex- ceptional grace and distinction. This was back in 1878, the general assem- 7 e efrIa in 1ar itol that year. The only presiding of ficer who has been able to fill the SUI perbly carved charter oak piece of fur niture since the days of Lieutenant Governor Loomis, is the president pro tempore of the present senate, the Hon. Samuel Fessenden. The figure of Senator Fessenden is not unlike that of the late lieutenant governor, and is strikingly interesting in the presiding officials desk Besides, the president pro tempore has the most elegant mem tai equipment and good fellowship for the place. Lieutenant Governor Loomis was the idol of the senate reporters in his day, and was one of the most af- fable of men. There was banquet given by him at Merrill's in honor of these hard workers that is still remem- bered with intense zest, the twenty odd years that have intervened since not having wiped out a scintilla of the event. Jack Kinney and w. o. Burr had charge of the details, and the late Senator B. S. Cleveland was the guest of honor. MT. Cleveland's felicity as an after dinner speaker never was displayed more brilliantly than at the IT tenant Governor Loomis was not the trained parliamentarian that some. of his successors have been, and depended upon the genius of the senate clerk, the Hon. Joseph l.. Barbour. In the clos ing hours of the session when the ex- change of courtesies was in progress, Lieutenant Governor Loomis handed down to Clerk Barbour from the pre- siding officers desk an opinion, being a pouch of gold coin, which was given with the ronchalance of a millionaire.
 Ex-Lieutenant Governor George G. Sumner was the next democratic pre- siding officer of the senate after Lieu tenant Governor Loomis. He was trained in parliamentary tactics and was the soul of courtesy. His direction of senate business was without a flaw, easy, graceful and intelligent at all times. His keen powers of perception guided the members through the mesh es and intricacies of debate with com p1ete knighthood. General William H. Bulkeley, the brother of United States Senator Morgan C.. Bulkeley, was also a. capital presiding officer of the sen- ate. It requires rare traits of char acter to fill the place from an ideal standpoint. sro
 The commission concerning trade schools, which was appointed by Gov. ernor Chamberlain under the special laws of 1903, has not yet reported to tfle general assembly. The commits s,ioners selected by Governor Chamber. xIain were J. Fl. Whittemore of Nauga- tuck, recently elected a member of the Consolidated railroad board; Max Ad- Ter of New Haven, and ex-Congress man Lewis Sperry of the First dis trict. The strength of the commission has been recognized from the start and a report of great public utility is expected from it. No three men in the state can more thoroughly present the needs and advantages of trade schools being representative as they are of the best business, professional and educa tional interests in Connecticut Fix Congressman Sperry is an Amherst col. Iege graduate, and has kept up his in terest in the higher educational life since his graduation thirty years ago New Haven county knows the value o the two remaining gentlemen constitut ing the commission. p
 It is expected throughout the 3capito that Governor Roberts will reappoin Andrew F.tGates tax commissioner fol four years. from July 1, the presen term expiring at that time. Tax Com missioner Gates, who is leader in re publican politics in the state, was OF iginalIy appointed by Governor George F. Mclean. The salary of the office k $3,000. The appointment is made witt the consent of the senate.
 The hearing for an additional appro priation for the Gaylord sanitarium i, Wallingford has not been yet assigned The state has appropriated in the pas ss5,000 for the institution. The found