Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-01-07
Gov. Lilley's Message
to Assembly.
Continued from Page Nlne.)

Continued from Page Nine.)
management and conservatism in the
handling of investments.
No branch Of our economic activi-
ties have contributed in larger meas
ure to the prestige of Connecticut and
her material welfare, and an appre-
ciative assembly should do everything
within right and reason to foster the
business.
The American people are awaken
ing to the humiliating fact that the
losses from fire in this country are
many times greater than in the we'll
governed nations of the old world and
are beginning to feel that something
should be done to lessen the enorm-
Gus waste. In the fact that the losses
are heavy drain upon the financial
resources of Connecticut, because of
her high position in the insurance
world, lies good reason why it would
be a very proper thing for this gen.
eral assembly to become a leader in
the movement to investigate the
causes of fires and to pass such laws
as viii tend to reduce the losses.
II is manifest that whatever reduces
the losses will also reduce the cost of
fire insurance, and a great popular
benefit would thereby be accomplished
Dairy interests.
The recent outbreak of the so-called
foot and mouth disease among cattle
in several states directs attention to
the absence lin Connecticut of any
adequate laws TO protect the dairy
interests of this state and the public
at large from the dangers of bovine
Infection.
Fortunately there are in most of the
other commonwealth statutes that
enabled the proper authorities to tax
immediate steps to deal with the con-
tagion, and we are sharing in the good
results that have followed their prompt
action. But the law Of this state does
not give the cattle commissioner, or
anyone else, authority to quarantine
cattle on suspicion that they are suf-
fering from contagious or infectious
disease.
1t Is obvious that in order to make
preventive measures effective the cat
tie commissioner should have the pow
er to act quickly and sternly, if nee
essary in his judgment. and that he
should not be compelled to wait for
positive physical evidence. as is now
necessary The delay of a few days
in waiting for such physical evidences
might prove very costly to the owners
Of cattle and the users of milk.
The aff1iction of cattle with tuber-
culosis is a constantly serious one Cor
the dairy interests and the public. a ~ |
but few states are in as unfortunate |
a position as Connecticut on account |
Of our lax laws onsthe subject. NO |
cattle should be imported into the |
state without the certificate Of quail |
fled veterinarian of good standing |
that they are in good health and have !
passed the tubereulin test Other
states that border upon ours have |
such laws, and as Connecticut is not |
thus protected 1t has been the dump |
ing ground for diseased cattle.
The law is admittedly defective and |
inadequate in these two respects and |
ought to receive your prompt atten-
ton.
statutes concerning cattle inspection /
large amounts of diseased cattle are /
ard sold in Connecticut. |
This is a menace to the public health /
that it will be criminal to continue /
through our neglect to pass proper
laws.
IN my opinion II IS our duty TO
provide for state inspection of cattle
both before and after killing. If GER
tain days of the week were designated
for killing in our chief cities a small
corps Of inspectors could easily cover
the ground and in those cities having
food inspectors this work could be be /
to them.
Legislative Publicity
There is too much loose, inefficient
and conflicting legislation. In my
opinion 1t would be a step in advance
e provision should be made so that
Ill bills intended for presentation TO
The general assembly should be refer
red first to a permanent clerk of bills,
who should be an able lawyer and
)arliamentarian. Were such a depart /
nent with a capable official at its
head available for the members OF the
legislature to consult with, he could
show the member who proposes a new
aw wherein it conflicts with existing
avs. If such be the case. and ne
could redraw the proposed bill if it
contained a flaw and could also refer
N connection with it to bills enacted
n other states on the same subject
natter.
Moreover, a permanent clerk of bills
would in effect constitute a bureau of
that would be available
not only to members of the legisla-
lure but to all the people of the state
I also believe that it would DC p good
hing to have complete and accurate
reports taken of the
laily proceedings of the general as
sembIy and published in convenient
'orm for general distribution. This
would go a long way toward fixing the
responsibility and would be a very
valuable record for future reference.
There is now and has been for a