The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-01-10

 with crime, and that they may violate laws without risk, believing that those laws will never be enforced.
 Legislation of this loose character tends to cultivate the criminal in- stincts in many who do not realize that they are offenders until it is too late. The language of every law should be clear and explicit, and law should be capable of but one con- struction. It should mean exactly what it says, and should not be so complex that even the courts may be confused as ito it's interpretation. The legislature will perform great service by so amending the laws that every one can be enforced adding provisions that will make certain their enforce ment.
 In 1883 provision was made by law for the appointment of Clerk of Bills to see to it that all bills for public acts were in proper form. In 1895 his du- ties were increased and his salary raised to $2.500 These duties, as now defined by Section 37 of the General Statutes, are such that if properly dis charged by capable man possessing the necessary skill and experience for dealing intelligently with forms of leg islation the wording of every public statute would be plain and it's meaning clear. In fact such has not always been the result. Instances have oc- cured in which the courts have been called on to determine the intent of the 1ao f1lo Ad in phrases of uncertain signifcation, and in several instances litigation has been necessary where the subject of the law and the interests involved were of great importance
 In the rush of the last fortnight of the General Assembly's work it Is re- markable that so few mistakes are made by our clerks, but an instance that emphasizes the need under consid- eration will be apparent to anyone who 1 looks into the legislation passed by the General Assembly of 1905 concerning 1 investments that are permissible for l savings banks
 Substitute for House Bill No. 5O5, | approved June %, 1905, legalized in- vestment in the Hartford Street Rail- way company, the Fair Haven & Westville Railway compand and the Consolidated Railroad company bonds. House Bill mo- 503, also approved June I 29 1905, legalized investments in the 1 Southern Indiana Railroad company l bonds; and by Senate Resolution No. | 131, also approved June 29, 1905, there were added the bonds of the Connect icut Railway and Lighting company. But in Substitute for Senate Bill No. | TIT, approved July s, 1905, amending the original Statute No. 342S which 1 covers savings banks investments, there were enumerated all the legal in vestments for savings banks coupled with the explicit prohibition of all oth- CT investments not therein enumerated. The investments mentioned In the three acts that l have cited are omit ted in substitute for Senate Bill No. TIT, thereby creating conflict of law passed by the General Assembly at the | same session. Errors of this kind are very liable to lead up to vexaitious liti- gation and this very act may lead to suits. To cover all this loose legisla- tion and for fear that there may have ! been something passed which was not in proper form 1t is usual at the end of the session to pass an act-a heal ing act-which by it's benefcent effect helps out the case and operates to negative a possible blunder.
 But would suggest as a remedy for such conditions that the position of Clerk of Bills, and perhaps the En- crossing Clerk, be made a permanent position, or that one or both should continue in office during good behavior. 1 I find upon investigation that this plan has been tried in some other states, more especially In the State of Wis consin, where the office of Legislative Librarian was created with a view of securing legislation in proper form.
 I realize that great care should be taken in selecting man to fill such a place. He must be q man of ability and honesty. And he should $ot be removed except for cause. Wisconsin has made herself distinguished for the good form of her statute laws. That state has accumulated much yalua- ble material for the information of her ! legislators, arranged in a card system so that officials in charge are able to respons promptly to any inquiry for i information on subject likely to come before the General Assembly CT the Executive Departments Laws of other states and countries are included in the indices, thus giving a safe guide to those drawing or reprting a new statute and enabling them to follow the wording of one that has stood the test of time and use.
 SpcciaI Charters and Special LegisIa-
 ton.
 I believe that so far as is practical ble all special legislation in the inter- est of individuals or of particular cor porations should cease; and that so far as may be possible applications for in- corporation and charter should be made under the terms of a general law. Trust companies and other banking in stitutions should be required to apply ;, for incorporation under the terms of a general bank act.
 Capitalization of Corporations.
 The custom of certain incorporated companies that from time to time issue new stock Is so unfair that public at- tention has been aroused, resulting in severe but just criticism of the laws which make such injustice possible. As a remedy for this complaint I would advise the present legislature to amend the statutes controlling corporations, so that public service corporations that desire to increase the amount of their