Connecticut western news., 1907-03-28
STATE LEGISLATURE
DELIBERATIONS AT THE CAPITOL

Several Bills Relative to Deer-Moun- tain Laurel Designated as State Flow er-Railroad Merger Bill Passed Concerning Poll Taxes.
 Last week vase busy one in legisla- tive circles and among the more import ant measures of interest to THE NEWS constituency were the following: Pass age of bills providing means for reduc- tion of town school committeee to three members.
 Providing that on petition of twenty electors the vote on free textbooks shall be by secret ballot.
 Reducing to five days the time in which notice to quit shall be given by reason of non payment of rent.
 Appropriating for expenses of Litch- field county superior court $34, ,600
 Committees reported as follows:
 Favorable on asubstitute bill concern ing the board of examiners of barbers It provides that all barber shops shall be examined once each year, and return made in the annual report of the com mission.
 Unfavorable on petitions relating to the repeal of the act creating the board of examiners of barbers.
 Unfavorable on the following bills: Abolishing capital punishment. The bill was recommitted.
 Regarding the use of pastors, provid ing that they shall be printed so that they may be distributed in twos or threes instead of five as at present..
 Placing common pleas judges on a circuit.
 Reducing fees in Gvil actions.
 Providing life imprisonment at hard labor as the penalty for murder.
 Providing that judges of the supreme and superior court of common pleas may issue injunctions when the courts are not in session
 Making record fee of S25 on appeals to the supreme court of errors.
 Providing that appeals from courts of probate shall be taken within one month from the date of judgment.
 Appropriating $5O0O for Litchfield county common pleas court.
 Providing that the selectmen of all towns shall erect signs bearing the name of the town. Mr. Malone Of Bristol said that the selectnen now had the right if they cared to exercise it.
 Providing markers for the graves of deceased soldiers, sailors and marines. MT. Griswold of Guilford said that the bill provided for the placing of markers on Memorial Day.
 MERGER BILL PASSED.
 The railroad merger bill passed the legislature Wednesday.
 THE STATE FLOWER.
 The Senate passed the bill making mountain Laurel the state flower.
 MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR.
 A message was received from Gov ernor Woodruff relating to the Con- necticut Agricultural College and sug- gesting an inquiry into the expedience of locating it elsewhere.
 POLL TAXES.
 The finance committee reported favor ably bill concerning the collection of poll and military taxes. amending sec tion 2395, so that any person committed to jail under it shall be discharged when his labor, at the rate of $1 day, shall amount to the tax and costs Gnstead of the fine and costs).
 THE DEER
 The deer came in for considerable dis cussion. Several bills are aimed at them, some providing that they may be shot at any time. some that they may be shot part of the time. some that farmers may shoot them when they find them on their land, and some providing that they shall not be shot at any time nor under any circumstances.
 WOODLAND FIRES.
 The bill before the House, concerning fires in woodland was amended so as to read as follows:
 No person shall kindle, nor authorize another to kindle, a fire ill his woodland, unless all combustible materials for the space of 20 feet surrounding the place where said fire is kindled have been re- moved, nor shall any such fire be left until extinguished or safely covered. The distance was formerly six feet in- stead of 20.
 Connecticut Exhibit.
 Connecticut is to have 8 somewhat