The morning journal-courier., 1908-12-28
Governor Says Chief Executive Ought to Have Chance to Submit Views at Close
 of His Term.
BENEFIT TO THE STATE
Knowledge of Needed Reforms Is 40 dulrcd Only After Two-Ncars' Reign in Hartford ls
 Completed.

Every two years a legislature con- venes at Hartford and listens to message from the newly inaugurated governor, which message must of ne- cessity be based on theory rather than practical experience as chief magis- trate of the state Speaking on this subject editorially yesterday the New Haven Union suggests an Idea which has been in the minds of some of the leading public men of Connecticut for some time.
 This suggestion is that the retiring governor shall be the one to make recommendation as to the needs of the state, based on his two years of experience in office. The custom has always been for the newly convened assembly to ask the retiring governor if he has any message for them, and for him to send back only few words of good wishes. Then in the after noon of the same day, the new gover- nor receives his oath of office and reads his inaugural message, wherein he tells what he believes ought to be done in various directions and what new laws he would favor and the like.
 Of necessity this message Is based on the views of a comparative out slider, yet it is the one opportunity which the governor has to make rec- ! concentrations to the general assem- bly,. And on the other hand, when he has been two years at the head of the state and knows its needs and re- qulrements, the governor can at best make suggestions and recommenda- tons to his successor, which the lat ter may follow or not as he sees fit. And frequently he does not realize tho importance of certain measures until he has nearly completed his term of office, and then in turn he has no op- portunity to make the necessary rec concentrations.
 oThat Governor Woodruff has found many things in the state government which he would wish to have changed. 1 is quite generally known, as are his views on the necessity of placing the state on a sound financial and business basis. Therefore he feels that the governor of the state should have an opportunity to present his recommen- dations to the assembly after he has l had time to got into the harness and learn from experience what changes are needed. To secure this opportun- ity the governor proposes either the sending to the assembly of farewell massage, or the holding of more than one legislative session during the gov ernors term of office, this to he se- cured either by an extra legislative session or four-year term.
 Governor Woodruff is strongly in favor of what he calls a reversal of the present method, He has had such change in mind for some time, but stated yesterday that he has not yet quite decided whether he will inaugur- ate a new custom in this respect or not TO a representative of the Jour nal Courier the governor said yester- day:
 For some time have had the matter of a farewell message in mind. but have not fully decided what I shall do. In my opinion the present custom Is entirely wrong The new governor comes into office entirely green, as you might say, and yet on
 (Contnued on Third Page.)