The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-04-23
NOTES FROM HARTFORD.
NO EMPLOYERS LIABILITY BILL TO BE PRESENTED THIS SESSION.

AO DE ERESENIEU THIS SESSION. Senator Judson VIII Be Governor for
 Three Days-Governor and Lieuten-
 ant Governor Off With Jamestown
 Party-The Contest for Cheaper Gas
 Representative Rogers Victori-
 ous Over Danbury Monopoly.
 Hartford, April 22-The whole num- ber of public acts which Governor Woodruff has signed since the begin ming of the session is 54. The number of special acts which have received his signature is 143. The report of the committee on fees of town clerks, clerks of courts of common pleas, sher- ifs and judges of probate, which was submitted to the general assembly, February 9th, has not been acted on definitely, and will not be in shape for committee report for some weeks, The bill authorizing the examination of the fee system was passed by the legisla- ture in 19O5 The committee that took up the issues involved consisted of Senator Arthur L. Clark of Winsted, Representative Fred A. Scott of Ply mouth, and William H. Warner of Woodbridge. It was found that the work could not be done by the com mittee in time to be reported before the fiscal adjournment and a resolu tion wa9 passed by both houses, July 12 1905, continuing the investigation through 1905 and 1906. It now seems that a similar course will be necessary in the case of the special commission appointed by Governor Woodruff to consider and report an employers li- ability bill. This commission has been obliged to ask for an extension of time until May 20. It does not seem feasible ito complete the bill by that time for the general assembly. The interests concerned in are employers liability measure are of so varied a character that quick" legislation would defeat the ends desired by the friends of the act The special commission which is composed of Edward M. Day, E. Allan Moore and Charles J. Donahue, will most likely be continued for two years, Reporting to the legislature of 1909. If some form of an employers liability bill be submitted by May 20, the two houses would necessarily become en- tangled in long debate over its adoption, ending in indefinite postpone to thn opyt lnQic- 1ature, as unfinished business" The continuance of the commission would be unmeasurably preferable. A thor oughly equitable employers liability law is needed on the statute book and should be placed there only after calm and intilligent study. The senate chair man of the judiciary committee, the Hon. James F. Walsh of Greenwich and House Cchairman Fillmore S. Banks of the committee will both be absent with Governor Woodruff's Jamestown party, and the hard work which this committee has in hand will be put off for a few days. The recess will be of great value to both of these leaders, giving them the rest which they have certainly earned on the floor and in the committee room. Senator Walsh has been a wideawake leader in the senate, being familiar with every bill that has received consideration in that body and able at all times to discuss 1t on it's merits The leadership of Judge Banks in the house is not a question of doubt and he will have no fences to look after while with the governors party. Senator Judson in the absense of the governor and lieu tenant governor will be the acting gov- ernor of the state after Wednesday,, not laying down the reins of govern ment until Sunday. That will make three eventful days in the witty sena- tors life and entitle him in Connecti- cuts good hearted way of distributing honors to the affix of "Goyernor' to his name Two years ago che same pleasantly fell to the lot of Senator Fessenden as president pro-tempore of the senate Senator Fessenden by the way has not visited the capitol this session. But his health Is so much im- proved that a visit from him is confi- dently anticipated.
 The two men in the general assembly who have been making strenuous contest for cheaper gas, are Senator John F. Shanley of New Haven, and Representative N. Burton Rogers of Danbury. They will show good record as workers in behalf of needed re- form. Senator Shanleys bill has been favored by large numbers, who acknowledge it's merit and public use fitness. Representative Rogers has won victory over the strongly en- trenched gas monopoly in Danbury that will entitle him to the public gratitude.