The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-06
GOV. LILLEY,S' MESSAGE.

Gov. Llley's message to the General Assembly, the full text of which ap- pears elsewhere in this issue of the Farmer, is somewhat lengthy and con- tains quite number of recommenda- tions
 He impresses upon the legislators, in view of the fact that last year the State ran behind over $500, ,000", the necessity of "the strictest econ procedure is adopted we twill within the next few years contract a large bonded indebtedness" He holds that we should increase the revenue, as we'll as effect rigid economy in ex- penditures."
 He suggests that State institutions should pay their bills through the State Treasurer and expresses the opinion that the banks would pay per cent. interest on State funds.
 He recommends that the State Treas urer and the Comptroller be elected for not less than four years; suggests leg islation for enforcement of statutory provisions as to full value assessments, and for lengthening the terms of as- sessors; recommends that reports as to military communication taxes be made to the Tax Commissioner; declares in favor of such minor changes in taxa ton of public service corporations as would make it more equitable in ap- plication and more definite in enforce ment."
 He favors an increase in the inherit ance tax, graded as to beneficiaries and progressive as to amount of col lateral bequests", the progressive rate varying from 5 to 15 per cent. on es- tates of from $1,0O0 to $1,000, 600.
 He recommends "a uniform system of municipal accounting, carried out under the yearly supervision of the State Auditors of Public Accounts"
 He suggests such legislation as to sheep culture, reforestation, etc, as would assure ''the best possible use of all unusued land'', and the annual pub- lication of assessment lists
 The bill for Public Utilities act, to be presented by the special commits sion. he hopes will furnish the foun- dation for 8 measure to be passed without delay He summarizes the bill and says that as the State, "un- able conveniently to furnish public utilities direct, has "lent of it's powers to ever increasing classes of private agencies, there is "a corresponding obligation to render adequate service without discrimination and to require therefor compensation which will be reasonable"
 Gov. Lilley expresses his strongest personal sympathy with the crusade against tuberculosis and asserts "that the State should go to the limit of its ability in aiding this great humanitar- ian crusade" He favors the plan of State erection of county homes, as proposed by the special commission upon this subject.
 As to tenement conditions, the Gov ernor says "it seems desirable to es- tablish a minimum condition which will be legal for light, air, space per capita, water closet accommodations, etc"
 Our public school system, he calls ''as unsystematic as it could we'll be- incompetent instructors, shamefuIly low wages, ete.-and recommends that some strong central body' be given direction of the licensing of teachers and of their remuneration, and that new teachers be required to pass ex- aminations by a State board.
 He recommends an appropriation to the School for the Blind for the en- largement of it's now crowded lodging and teaching facilities.
 He recognizes the need of an effec- tive employers liability enactment, but says it is not practicable at present, for it would handicap manufacturers in their competition with rivals in other States. He favors, however, abolition of the so-called fellow ser want rule'', under which an employer is not liable for injuries to one em- ploye caused by the negligence of an- other employe.
 With regard to trade combinations, he predicts a time when the test for combinations of capital will be whether they bring about "an unreasonable restraint of trade, and he adds that the same latitude should pervade the laws relating to combinations of work ingmen"-that Is, they should be